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<br />Caps will also be fitted on the well. When no longer required, <br />these wells will also be abandoned in accordance with section <br />4.07.3 (p.66, Vol. 1 of the permit application). No other pro- <br />tection of underyround mine workings is necessary since none <br />exists within the permit area (p.65, Vol. 1 of the permit appli- <br />cation). <br />Before mining operations begin to impact streams within and <br />adjacent to the permit area, it is vital that the alluvial valley <br />floor determination be made in order that a valuable agricultural <br />resource is not irretrievably lost or damaged. The applicant <br />contends that the North Fork of Bolton Draw, which will be exca- <br />vated during mining operations, is not an alluvial valley floor. <br />The main channel of Bolton Draw, however, has been recognized by <br />the applicant as a potential AVF. The applicant's North Fork <br />determination is based on the following evidence (Vol. 1, pp. <br />114-116 of the permit application): <br />o Although North Fork does exhibit a channel along most of <br />its length (3 feet in bankfull width and .5 feet in bank- <br />full depth) there are no other geomorphic characteristics <br />typical of AVF's such as flood plains, terraces, oxbows, <br />etc. <br />o The active stream channel alluvium in the main channel of <br />Bolton Draw does not extend up into North Fork. <br />o Perched groundwater encountered in the unnamed alluvial <br />soil unit along North Fork is isolated from the down- <br />stream main water table aquifer associated with the <br />Bolton Draw alluvium as indicated by water levels in <br />exploration holes and in monitor Well 2. <br />o The subirrigated area in North Fork is isolated and of <br />small extent (5.4 acres). There is no indication of sub- <br />irrigation anywhere else along the stream. <br />-42- <br />