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1 ` ~ • • <br />The same regulations go on to state, at Rule 1.04.147, that "'Upland <br />Areas' means, with respect to Alluvial Valley floors, those geomorphic <br />features located outside the flood plain and terrace complex, such as <br />isolated higher terraces, alluvial fans, pediment surfaces, landslide <br />deposits, and surfaces covered with residuum, mud flows or debris flows, <br />as well as highland areas underlained by bedrock and covered by residual <br />weathered material or material deposited by sheet wash, rillwash, or <br />wind." <br />Rule 2.06.8(3)(b) states that "Before applying fora permit or in <br />conjunction with an application for a permit to conduct, or before <br />conducting surface coal mining and reclamation operations within a <br />valley holding a stream or in a location where the adjacent area <br />includes any stream, the applicant shall either affirmatively <br />demonstrate, based on available data, the presence of an alluvial valley <br />floor, or submit to the Division the results of a field investigation of <br />the proposed permit area and adjacent area. Rule 2.06.8(3))c) further <br />states that the Division shall determine that an alluvial valley floor <br />exists if it finds that: <br />(i) Unconsolidated streamlaid deposits holding streams are present; and <br />(ii) There is sufficient water to support agricultural activities as <br />evidenced by: <br />(A) The existence of flood irrigation in the area in question or <br />its historical use; <br />(B) The capability of an area to be flood irrigated, based on <br />streamflow water yield, soils, water quality, topography and <br />regional practices; or <br />(C) Subirrigation of the lands in question, derived from the <br />ground water system of the valley floor. <br />In general, alluvial deposits must be at least 10 (continuous) acres in <br />size and at least 50 feet wide to support agricultural production. <br />Identification of Alluvial Valley Floors <br />In the permit application, the applicant identified several areas within <br />or adjacent to the mine plan area which may meet the geomorphic criteria <br />of alluvial valley floors. Alluvial deposits were identified along <br />Minnesota Creek, Dry Fork Minnesota Creek, Sylvester Gulch, and the <br />North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />18 <br />