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<br />-33- <br />Picketetwire Val]ev AVF <br /> <br />Based on the information provided in the original permit application, the <br />Picketwire Valley (main stem of the Purgatoire River) is considered to be an <br />alluvial valley floor. The valley floor deposits have essential hydrologic <br />functions supporting both flood irrigation and subirrigation. The strath <br />terrace deposits have the capability for flood irrigation. <br />No information has been provided concerning the significance of the alluvial <br />valley floor to farming operations. The valley floor deposits identified <br />along the main stem of the Purgatoire River have not been disturbed by past <br />mining activities at the New ETk Mine. <br />The Division must make the required findings by assuming that this portion of <br />the alluvial valley floor is significant to farming. <br />Picketwire Valley Findings <br />1. The proposed mining operation would not interrupt, discontinue or <br />preclude farming on the alluvial valley floor. <br />No surface disturbance related to the New Elk Mine permit revision is planned <br />in the Picketwire Valley. The proposed mining operation will not undermine <br />the Picketwire Valley. <br />2. The proposed mining operation would not cause material damage to the <br />quantity and quality of surface and ground water that supply the alluvial <br />valley floor. <br />The surface operations proposed for the permit revision have no significant <br />long-term impacts on water quality or quantity. Short-term impacts will <br />result from construction at the site. The total suspended solids levels of <br />the surface will be minimized by sediment control measures. Increased levels <br />of suspended sediment will not reach a level that would cause material damage <br />to the Picketwire AVF. <br />3. The proposed mining operation would preserve the essential hydrologic <br />function of the alluvial valley floor. <br />The Picketwire alluvial valley floor is located downstream from the proposed <br />permit area and would not be disturbed by the proposed mining operations. The <br />impact of surface operations at the New Elk Mine on water quality and quantity <br />has been found to be insignificant. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />IX. Air Resources -Rule 2.05.6 1 <br />Information presented in the application on page III(42)and Addendum C dealing <br />with air resources protection have been reviewed by the Division for <br />compliance. The applicant has supplied all of the information required by the <br />Rules and Regulations. <br />