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The Division finds that activities proposed by the Applicant will not interrupt, discontinue, or <br />preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that aze irrigated or naturally sub-irrigated [Rule <br />4.24.3(1)]. In addition, the proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality <br />of water in the surface or ground water system described above [Rules 4,24.3(3) and <br />2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)]. Lastly, the proposed activities will comply with the requirements of the Act and <br />the Regulations with respect to alluvial valley floors [Rule 2.06.8(5)(b)(ii)(b)]. Surface coal <br />mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic <br />functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit azea and to reestablish the essential <br />hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the affected area throughout the mining and <br />reclamation process (Rule 4.24.2). <br />2. An environmental monitoring system will be installed, maintained, and operated by the permittee <br />on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and continued <br />until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3 (Rule 4.24.4). <br />Based on Permit Revision 02 the Division is adding one new stipulation to the permit regazding <br />alluvial valley floors: <br />STIPULATION 10 <br />PRIOR TO DISTURBING ANY LANDS ALONG THE WILSON CREEK THE COLOWYO <br />COAL COMPANY SHALL PROVIDE THE DIVISION WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS AND <br />DISCUSSION OF THE ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOOR (AVF) THAT HAS BEEN <br />DOCUMENTED IN THE AREA. COLOWYO MUST ALSO PROVIDE A DETAILED PLAN <br />FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE AVF IF AND WHEN IT IS DISTURBED. THIS ANALYSIS <br />MAY BE IN THE FORM OF A STAND-ALONE REVISION OR IT MAY BE CONTAINED IN <br />THE REVISION REQUIRED fN STIPULATION 3. ANY REVISION SUBMITTED MUST BE <br />APPROVED BY THE DIVISION PRIOR TO ANY DISTURBANCE. <br />XXIL Operations on Steep Slopes -Limited Vaziances -Rule 4.27.4 <br />With the approval of Permit Revision 02 the Division has approved a limited variance from <br />approximate original contour for the South Taylor Pit. This variance is for areas with slopes of 20% <br />or greater as shown on Figure 2.06.4-1. The following are the specific findings required by Rule <br />4.27.4 (the numbering follows that of Rule 4.274). <br />1. The Division has not authorized the retention of a highwall remnant for the South Taylor Pit. The <br />highwall will be ripped and dozed to a 3:1 slope to blend in to the approved post-mining topography. <br />2. Colowyo will be reducing steep slopes (20% and greater as shown on Figure 2.06.4- I) along the <br />perimeter ofthe South Taylor Pit to no more than 3:I. These reduced slopes will decrease the peak <br />flows from runoff from precipitation and snow melt, thereby reducing the contribution of suspended <br />solids to the receiving streams. The watershed will, thereby, be improved. More detail can be found <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 4 May 2007 <br />Permit Revision 02 Page 67 <br />