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.:. <br />In summary, several potential hydrologic impacts of the proposed loading <br />operations have been identified and discussed above. The overall hydrologic <br />balance is not expected to be impacted. The Division finds that the <br />operations proposed within the permit application have been designed to <br />prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. <br />IX. Alluvial Valley Floors - Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 <br />Section 5 of the Permit Revision application discusses the possible impacts of <br />the loadout facility on alluvial valley floors. The applicant concludes that <br />the proposed permit area is not located on an alluvial valley floor, but <br />rather on an alluvial fan extending from the north side of the Colorado River <br />valley. The Division concludes that the permit area and vicinity may be an <br />alluvial valley floor, but that the proposed coal loading operations will have <br />no adverse impacts on it. <br />The proposed permit area, as shown on Figure 5.5-1 of the Permit Revision <br />application, is located on one of a series of alluvial fans (or terraces) <br />deposited by south-flowing Colorado River tributaries. Pockets of <br />subirrigated alluvium are found adjacent to the active stream channel only. <br />Irrigated land is found mainly south of the river, with one possibly irrigated <br />tract on the north side approximately 1500 feet downstream of the permit <br />area. Exposed bedrock in the area consists of the Tertiary Wasatch and Ohio <br />Creek Formations. <br />The proposed loadout is located on an alluvial fan complex deposited by <br />streams flowing south to the Colorado River. There is no evidence of past <br />flood irrigation or subirrigation on the site, and there is no appreciable <br />vegetation growth. The surface consists of approximately 10 inches of gravel, <br />therefore there are no salvageable soils on the site. The area is surrounded <br />by transportation corridors, Interstate 70 on the north and the Denver and Rio <br />Grande Railroad on the south. The land has been put to industrial use for <br />approximately the last 10 years. <br />The permit area vicinity may meet the following Alluvial Valley Floor criteria: <br />- substrate consists of stream-laid deposits within a stream-holding <br />valley <br />- surface water could be made available in sufficient quantity and <br />quality to support agricultural activities <br />Several considerations, however, lead to the conclusion that the proposed <br />operation will have no negative impacts on alluvial valley floors: <br />- the permit area has no agruculturally viable soil material, and <br />there is no subirrigated vegetation or evidence of past flood <br />irrigation; <br />- there are no flood-irrigated or subirrigated areas directly adjacent <br />to the permit area that are significant to farming; <br />- the size of the operation and scope of proposed activities is such <br />that no measurable impacts to water quality or quantity will occur. <br />-8- <br />