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The applicant has proposed the use of persistent pesticides on the site <br />during mining and/or reclamation operations. One or more of seven <br />herbicides listed in Table 22-11 of the permit application may be used <br />to control noxious weeds in the mine area. The Division proposes to <br />approve this usage. (4.18(5)(8)). <br />2. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The <br />applicant has selected appropriate plant species and distributions to <br />benefit fish and wildlife. Refer to Section VIII of this document for <br />additional discussion of the revegetation seed mix. (4.18(5)(1)). <br />X. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <br />Two alluvial valley floor (AVF) studies were performed on Sage and Grassy Creek and <br />their tributaries in the vicinity of the proposed Yoast permit area. This information is <br />found in Tab 16 of the permit application package. <br />As a result of 1992-93 AVF studies, Seneca Coal Company concluded there are no <br />AVF's in the Grassy Creek watershed in hydrologic communication with the proposed <br />Yoast Mine. Based on information presented by the applicant, discussions with the <br />Routt County office of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, interviews with <br />farmers, and field reconnaissance, the Division agrees with the applicant's conclusion. <br />No alluvial valley floors exist in the permit area or the adjacent Grassy Creek <br />watershed which aze in hydrologic communication with the proposed Yoast Mine. <br />As a result of 1990 AVF investigations in the Sage Creek watershed, Seneca Coal <br />Company concluded there are no AVF's in this basin in hydrologic communication with <br />the proposed Yoast Mine. Based on information submitted by the applicant, field <br />reconnaissance, interviews with farmers, and previous findings by the Division and the <br />applicant related to the Seneca II-West Mine, the Division does not concur with the <br />applicant's conclusion. The Division concludes that two areas along Sage Creek <br />downstream from the Yoast permit area meet the regulatory definition of alluvial <br />valley floors. These areas aze discussed below. <br />Sage Creek Reservoir Site <br />Two fields located just upsveam from the former Sage Creek Reservoir dam (Sections <br />13 and 18) are identified in the Yoast application as subirrigated native wetlands and <br />subirrigated grass hay. The native wetland azea is basically the area once covered by <br />the reservoir, which failed in 1985. This area is currently used for grazing. The azea <br />immediately upstream from the former reservoir site is currently used as a grass hay <br />field. <br />These fields are located in the upper reaches of Sage Creek, and therefore are no[ typical <br />of alluvia] valley floors in this area with agricultural potential. However, the upper <br />Yoazi Kline 36 March 6, ?001 <br />