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La Plata Coal Draft Finings - 6 - May 18, 1987 VII. Water Riohts and Replacement (2.04.7(3). 2.05.6(3)(a)(ii) Water rights and replacement information may be found in Section 2.04.7 of the permit application. Only the Huntington Spring, which may not be adjudicated, (Section V, Ground Water Hydrology) may potentially be impacted by mining operations. To mitigate any depletion or degradation, La Plata Coal Corporation has committed to replacing, in suitable quantities and quality, the impacted water. The mine supply well has been in place since 1905, but registration with the Office of The State Engineer has not yet been completed. La Plata Coal Corporation has committed to obtaining the required permits and water rights. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. VIII. Alluvial Valley Floors - Rule 2.06.8, 2.07.6(2)(k) and 4.24 There are currently three coal mining operations located within Hay Gulch; the King Coal Mine (permitted, active), the Blue Flam Mine (permitted, inactive), and the La Plata No. 1 mine (application submitted, inactive). All three mines are considered in the alluvial valley floor discussion. Hay Gulch has previously been determined to be an Alluvial Valley Floor (AVF) (see National King Coal, Inc., Findings of Compliance, February 4, 1982), No information to dispute this finding has been submitted to the Division. Therefore, the alluvial valley floor determination remains. Field observations by Division staff and information contained in permit applications indicate that small areas of unconsolidated stream-laid materials are present in adjacent drainages. With the possible exception of Roberts Canyon, these areas are generally not extensive enough to meet the size criteria of AVF's. It has been determined that Hay Gulch meets the criteria for an Alluvial Valley floor based upon the following: (1) the valley contains unconsolidated stream-laid deposits; (2) the valley contains sufficient water to support agricultural activities as evidenced by (a) the historical use of flood irrigation in the area, (b) the demonstrated capability of the area to be flood irrigated, and (3) demonstrated subirrigation of the area. It should be noted that Hay Gulch does not presently contain a stream. This is due to agricultural practices in the gulch which divert naturally occurring flow into the Hay Gulch Ditch. Furthermore, it is assumed that the original channel has been removed by local agricultural activities.