GENERAL34630 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

existing mine vent fan and two water monitoring flumes, no surface disturbance was made by the operator within the Middle Thompson Creek drainage. Although mine workings extended under a small portion of this watershed, the Permit azea does not include Willow Pazk, and the alluvial valley floor was not undermined. Both the Willow Park and above-mentioned Sand/Yank Creek alluvial valley floors aze cunrently undeveloped rangeland which aze not significant for farming. The essential hydrologic functions of these azeas were preserved. The Division identified one final body as an alluvial valley floor. The azea is adjacent to the confluence of Thompson Creek and the Crystal River. This azea is currently being used as irrigated pastureland and maybe significant to agriculture. This body, although included within the applicant's study azea, is located over five miles downstream from the mine and was not physically disturbed by the operation. Therefore, its essential hydrologic functions have been preserved. B. Loadout The Division has identified the lands adjacent to the Roaring Fork River as an alluvial valley floor above, adjacent to, and below the loadout. The extent of the alluvial valley floor is identified as "Qg" on Map D-3-6 of the Permit Application Package. The AVF extends from Highway 82 on the east side of the Roaring Fork to the Kaiser- Sievers irrigation ditch on the west side of the Roaring Fork River. It also extends at least one mile upstream and two miles downstream from the loadout. The terrace upon which the loadout truck dump was located is not an alluvial valley floor. This is because the definition of alluvial valley floors specifically excludes upland azeas and isolated terraces that aze not hydrologically connected to the river. As previously mentioned, the loadout was built prior to the enactment of alluvial valley floor regulations for underground mines. As a result of construction, the loadout took 35 acres out of agricultural production. This acreage is insignificant to the adjacent farms' total production. The adjacent Crystal River Ranch and Diamond S Ranch comprise over 2,700 acres and 700 acres of imgated land, respectively. Upon termination of mining, the loadout was restored to its pre-mining agricultural condition. That azea east of the Roaring Fork River was subsequently developed into a golf course and residential azea. The essential hydrologic function of flood irrigation was restored at the lower river terrace, west of the Roazing Fork River. C. Findings Based on the information presented in the application, the Division makes the following findings: 1. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(I), the Division finds that the surface mining operations did not, and that future reclamations activities will not, interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on alluvial valley floors (Rule 2.06.8(5)), and that any existing disturbance that 35