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VII. Water Rights and Replacement - Rules 2.04.1(3), 2.05.6(3)(a)(iii) <br />•r-rn-~-~-rr- ~ .. ,. <br />There are no additional impacts on ground or surface water anticipated as <br />a result of mining in the area of PR No. 2. There are no changes <br />proposed in the current surface water and sediment control system of the <br />mine. There are no changes in the commitment made by the mine to effect <br />repairs to the Huntington Irrigation Ditch should the mining operation <br />impact the structure. The specific findings made in this section of the <br />July, 1987 Findings Document (Renewal) therefore, are applicable to the <br />proposed future mining operation. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this <br />section. <br />VIII. Alluvial Valley Floors - Rules 2.06.8, 2.07.6(2)(k) and 4.24 <br />The specific findings made in regard to Hay Gulch in the July, 1987 <br />Findings Document (Renewal) are not altered by proposed PR No. 2 and <br />remain applicable to that drainage. <br />Sufficient information has been supplied by the operator in regard to <br />Pine Gulch, and confirmed in the field by the Division, to make the <br />determination that Pine Gulch does not contain an alluvial valley floor <br />(AVF) in the proposed permit area. While there are limited alluvial <br />deposits in Pine Gulch, these are not currently flood irrigated for <br />agrieulture~l purposes and have not been cultivated historically. Due to <br />the limited surface water availability in Pine Gulch, an ephemeral <br />drainage, and the limited and discontinuous nature of the alluvial <br />deposits, i:here would appear to be no potential for future surface <br />irrigation along Pine Gulch within the proposed permit area. <br />Additionally, there is not sufficient alluvial ground water to enhance <br />the produc+;ivity of agriculturally useful vegetation along Pine Gulch <br />within the permit area. <br />The operator has indicated that the area of confl uence of Pine Gulch with <br />Hay Gulch which lies several miles beyond the permit area is an alluvial <br />valley floor where agricultural practices are being conducted. This <br />agricultural activity, however, is not dependent upon surface or ground <br />water associated with Pine Gulch but primarily upon irrigation with water <br />diverted ti the area from the La Plata River. While subirrigation may . <br />also be a factor in the productivity of this area, it is the opinion of <br />the Soil Conservation Service that this subirrigation would most likely <br />be related to the Hay Gulch water table. Based on these considerations <br />and other aspects of the proposed activity relating to Pine Gulch, the <br />Division makes the following three findings: <br />1. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i), the current and proposed future <br />operations at the King Coal Mine will not interrupt, discontinue, <br />or prec]ude farming on the alluvial valley floor of which <br />Pine Gulch is part. <br />2. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii) the current and proposed future <br />operations at the King Coal Mine will not materially damage the <br />quantity or quality in surface or ground water systems that supply <br />the alluvial valley floor of which Pine Gulch is part. <br />-6- <br />