GENERAL32613 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-13- Using current Federal Office of Surface Mlnfng guidelines, the Division ldentlfled three areas that are sufficient to size to support agricultural activities. Since there is sufficient water available to support at least a portion of these areas, they all qualify as alluvial valley floors. The first area identified as an alluvial valley floor is the alluvial fan 14 acres in size at the confluence of Yank, Sand, and North Thompson Creeks (see Map D-3-7). Its size barely qualifies it as an alluvial va lley floor. In addition, sublrrigatlon Is restricted to the immediate streambanks and water may not be available to flood irrigate this area, since it 1s in the upper reach of the North Thompson Creek drainage. However, without more lnformatlon on water availability, the Division must assume this area 1s capable of supporting agriculture. The essential hydrologic function of this area is flood irrigation potential. This will not be impacted by the Snowmass Coal Company operation. The Site is 2.3 miles upstream from any mine facility and one mile west .of the maximum anticipated life-of-mine for the operation. The operator has not ldentlfled any actual or potential impact that might extend to this area. .The second alluvial valley floor body identified by the Division is a 15-acre tract located in Willow Park along Middle Thompson Creek. This area has the potential to be flood irrigated and is of sufficient size to support agricultural activities. With the exception of an existing mine vent fan, no surface disturbance is planned by the operator within the Middle Thompson Creek drainage. However, mine workings will extend under a small portion of this watershed. The alluvial valley floor, however, will not be undermined. Both the Willow Park and above-mentioned Sand/Yank Creek alluvial valley floors are currently undeveloped rangeland which are not significant for farming. The essential hydrologic functions of these areas will be preserved. Surface and ground water monitoring at the mine will continue to verify the applicant's predictions. One final body 15 being identified as a.n alluvial valley floor by the Division. The area ad,Jacent to the confluence of Thompson Creek and the Crystal River is an alluvial valley floor. This area is currently being used as irrigated pastureland and may be significant to agriculture. This body, although included within the applicant`s study area, is located over flue miles downstream from the mine and will not be physically disturbed by the operation. Based on the lnformatlon presented to the application, no impacts to this area a.re_p~edlcted. Therefore, its essential hydrologic functions will be preserved. Monitoring at the mine site will verify the applicant's predictions.