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-7- <br />VI. Hydrology Balance: Ground Water - Rules 2.04.5, 2.04.7, 2.05.3(4), <br />an <br />Information on ground water and protection of the hydrologic balance is found <br />in sections 2.04 and 4.05 of the permit application . <br />In the permit area the only ground water aquifer would be the alluvial aquifer <br />associated with the Yampa River. No springs and seeps have been identified <br />within the permit area. <br />As mentioned in previous sections of this document, the area was originally <br />disturbed in the 1920's. The loadout operation began in 1978. There will be <br />no mining of the area and no new disturbance. No additional excavation will <br />occur that would expose the alluvial aquifer. <br />The only potential for damage to the ground water system would be due to <br />percolation from the existing coal pad. Actual damage would be unlikely due <br />to the fact that the area is so compacted infiltration rates would be <br />extremely slow. Water available for infiltration would more than likely <br />evaporate before it would infiltrate. <br />The potential for material damage is projected to be negligible. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />VII. Alluvial Valley Floors - Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 <br />The proposed operation is located along the Yampa River. Historically the <br />permit area has not been used for agricultural purposes. Since the 1920s the <br />area has been used for industrial purposes. The proposed operation will not <br />damage water resources in the area. Given this the Division makes the <br />following findings: <br />1. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)(A)(I), the Division finds that the <br />proposed reclamation operation will not interrupt, discontinue, or <br />preclude farming on the adjacent alluvial valley floor. <br />2. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)(A)(II), the Division finds that <br />the proposed reclamation operation will not naturally damage the <br />quality and quantity of water in surface and ground water systems <br />that supply alluvial valley floors in downstream areas. <br />3. Pursuant to Rules 4.24.2(1) and (2), the Division finds that <br />reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve throughout the <br />reclamation process, the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial <br />valley floors not within the affected area. <br />As stated.previously, operations are not expected to materially damage the <br />quantity and quality of surface and ground water that supply the alluvial <br />valley floor downstream from the permit area. All runoff from the area will <br />