GENERAL34195

• Permit No: C1981071
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 10/26/1987
• Doc Name: PROPOSED DECISION & FINDINGS OF COMPLIANCE FOR RN1
• Permit Index Doc Type: FINDINGS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

IOe '~1V1510n hd5 not pre'+i0U5iy ,odde d da to rani ndt~On wl til r2gd rd tJ FJidei
Creek and its South Fork tributary upstream from U. S. Geologic Survey (USGS)
gaging station 09243800, which is within the permit area near Pinnacle Peak in
Section 31, T5N, R86W. Affected surface water and spoil aouifer discharge
from the western portion of the Eckman Park mine area drains into the South
Fork tributary. The main stem of Foidel Creek above the South Fork confluence
has not been affected by prior mining activity. CYCC has recently submitted a
revision application designated the Little Middle Creek (LMC) revision, which
would entail disturbance within upper portions of the main stem Foidel Creek
watershed, if approved. CHIS projections referenced in this section include
anticipated impacts of mining within the Little Middle Creek Tract.
Eckman Park Map 6 indicates the presence of unconsolidated stream laid
deposits in the vicinity of the confluence extending upstream for some
distance on both the main stem and the South Fork. From the confluence, the
alluvial body is continuous downstream for some distance below the permit
boundary. The segment of the alluvial body downstream from the USGS gaging
station (approximately 1/2 mile below the confluence) has previously been
determined by the Division to not meet AVF criteria based on insufficient
availability of surface water to support flood irrigation and limited extent
of sub-irrigated vegetation.
The negative determination regarding f'cr~i irrigation capability due to
insufficient water availability would obviously apply to upper reaches as
well. Field investigations were conducted by the Division in July 1986, to
evaluate the nature and extent of sub-irrigated vegetation on Foidel Creek and
its South Fork upstream from USGS gaging station 09243800. Observations
indicated that the alluvial bodies are similar in terms of width and type of
suh-irrigated vegetation to alluvial bodies within the permit area below the
gaging station. The portion of the South Fork between Spoil Pile 2 and Pond A
could be characterized as swampy, with sedges, rushes and willows the dominant
vegetation. Swampy conditions are not as prevalent below Pond A or upstream
on the main stem of Foidel Creek, and the dominant sub-irrigated species are
sedges, rushes and silver sagebrush. In general, the sub-irrigated vegetation
occurs in relatively narrow bands {less than 200 feet wide) along the flood
plain, with a meandering incised channel which would preclude farming
operations. Due to the limited extent and nature of the sub-irrigated
vegetation, and insufficient water availability to support flood irrigation,
the alluvial bodies on Foidel Creek and its South Fork upstream from USGS
gaging station 09243800 do not meet the alluvial valley floor criteria,
Map 6 of the original C-81-071 document indicates that two alluvial bodies of
significant extent occur ort upper ?4iddle Creek within Sections 26, 34 and 35,
TSN, R86W, and Section 10, T4N, R86W, little information is provided by the
applicant regarding these areas, however Map 15 of Twentymile Coal Company's
Life-of-Mine Revision Application for the Foidel Creek Mine indicates that a
portion of the upper alluvial body (approximately 35 acres) is flood irrigated
farnland. Based on the available information, it is the determination of the
Division that the upper ididdle Creek alluvial bodies referenced above as
delineated on Map 6 are alluvial valley floors based on geomorphic criteria,
flood irrigation capability (current and potential) and assumed capability to
support sub-irrigated vegetation. A portion (less than 300 acres) of the
reclaimed ?4ine 1 spoils is within the upper Middle Creek watershed and
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