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<br /> <br /> <br />Isolated alluvial deposits are found within the narrow valley of the <br />North Fork of the Gunnison River upstream from its confluence with <br />Gribble Gulch. All of these isolated deposits are less than 5 acres in <br />size. Some of the deposits are above the 100-year floodplain, are not <br />subject to flood irrigation and are not subirrigated. The remainder are <br />located within the 100-year floodplain and, as such, may be subjected to <br />flooding. A]so, due to their proximity to the stream and the presence <br />of willows and cottonwoods, some of these deposits are apparently <br />subirrigated. All of these subirrigated deposits are too small and too <br />irregular in shape to support agricultural development. Many of these <br />deposits are simply islands created by meander cutoffs and, therefore, <br />are not accessible. The river poses numerous difficulties for farming <br />these locations, including access, flooding, and changes in channel <br />location. Due to the inability of these small isolated alluvial <br />deposits to support agricultural development, the Division finds that no <br />alluvial valley floors exist within the narrow valley of the North Fork <br />of the Gunnison River upstream from its confluence with Gribble Gulch. <br />Other areas of consideration include isolated high terraces along the <br />North Fork of the Gunnison River, However, the alluvial origin of the <br />high terraces is questionable, and they may actually represent remnants <br />of glacial debris, particularly in light of their relatively thin <br />immature soils. Particular terrace areas in question include: <br />1. SE 1/4, Section 9, T13S, R90W, on the north side of the North Fork <br />of the Gunnison River (North Fork). This is an area that was used <br />by the Bear Mine as an access road and for coal-loading activities <br />during operation of Bear Mines 1 and 2 (now closed). <br />2. SE 1/4, Section 9, T13S, R90W, on the south side of the North <br />Fork. This is an area formerly used by the Bear Mine for its Bear <br />Mines 1 and 2 portals, supply, and office facilities. <br />3. SW 1/4, Section 9, T13S, R90W, on the north side of the IJorth <br />Fork. This is currently an undeveloped site, except for what <br />appears to be a small pumphouse. <br />A reconnaissance of the areas showed no evidence of historic or current <br />agricultural activity. These and other high terraces along the North <br />Fork have a mining/residential land use history dating back to at least <br />1935. Terrace sites' isolation from modern river terraces and general <br />site and soil characteristics indicate that agricultural development <br />prior to its present use is not likely. <br />WECC has no control over the terrace area on the north side of the North <br />Fork (SW 1/4, Section 9, T13S) and has no plans for developing this site <br />in association with the Mt. Gunnison Mine. Less than 10 acres of <br />noncolluvial materials are evident at this location. Most of these are <br />associated with the apparent glacial remnant gravel deposits. No <br />agricultural activities have been conducted on this site. <br />20 <br />