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<br />-32- <br />The applicant does not propose to impact any additional area of the Stonewall <br />Valley AVF. Preparation plant facilities will be constructed on that portion <br />of the Stonewall Valley containing refuse. In this area, the applicant <br />proposes to relocate the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire 60 feet north of its <br />present location for length of approximately 800 feet. The applicant has <br />committed to stabilization of the new channel entailing channel lining to <br />withstand erosive forces of the 100 year - 24 hour recurrence storm event. <br />This will minimize the threat that water quality could be downgraded by the <br />stream meandering uncontrolled through the old refuse. <br />The old channel will hagve an underdrain placed in the old streambed. This <br />will minimize the possibility of alluvial ground water constantly leaching the <br />old refuse material. The operator has committed to removal of all preparation <br />plant facilities during reclamation and revegetation of the affected historic <br />refuse disposal site. <br />The following findings are presented for the permit revision impacts on the <br />Stonewall Valley AVF. <br />Stonewall Valley Findings <br />1. The proposed operation would not interrupt, discontinue or preclude <br />farming on the alluvial valley floor. <br />No addition area of the undisturbed portions of the Stonewall Valley AVF are <br />proposed to be disturbed by the permit revision. <br />2. The proposed operation would not cause material damage to the quantity <br />and quality of surface and ground water that supply the alluvial valley floor. <br />The relocation of the Middle Fork and construction of the preparation plant <br />facilities are not predicted to impact water or alluvial ground water quality <br />or quantity in the long-term scenario. Short-term impacts will occur from <br />increased suspended sediment yield during the construction period. 'dith the <br />acceptance of the stipulations in this document, the operation is designed to <br />minimize impacts to the hydrologic balance. The construction will take place <br />in low flow months between October to April when irrigation is not practiced <br />in this portion of Colorado. In any case, suspended solids are not expected <br />to reach levels to affect the usability of stream water far irrigation. It is <br />likely that the proposed channel realignment will result in amore desirable <br />hydrologic situation than exists presently. The creation of a stable, <br />non-meandering channel coupled with the isolation of coal waste from the <br />ground water table will result in a reduced potential for contact of the coal <br />waste with a water supply. <br />3. The proposed operation would preserve (or restore) the essential <br />hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor. <br />The applicant proposed to disturb no additional acreage of the AVF, and the <br />effects of the mining operation on the quantity and quality of water supplied <br />to the Stonewall Valley are projected to not cause material damage. <br />Therefore, the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor <br />outside the proposed disturbed area boundary will be preserved. <br />