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~ i another potential effect on gzound eater could occur during the backfilling and grading operation. The company proposes to baci4`ill the Cameo Decline and the .forth Decline (see Ta for specificics on these) with coal processing wastes. This is necessary to achieve approximate original contour, since sufficient fill material is not available co completely back- fill the depressions. If coal processing were to be placed 1n the bottom of the declines, it would be in contact with ground water since both declines are below the level of the adjacent Colorado River. The company will be required to place non-tonic material in the declines to a Level above the level of the ground water, then backfill with coal processing waste and cover with four feet of the best available non-toxic, non-combustible soil material. Moni- toring of ground water will be done to check the validity of this plan. Samp- li~ is to be done on a quarterly basis at all sites. Probable Hydrologic Consequencea-Alluvial Valley Floors She company identified approximately 500 acres of land chat meet the geomor- phic criteria for alluvial valley floors (AVF). This land is located adjacent to the Colorado River and is subirrigated although a portion vas historically flood irrigated. It is the company's contention that a large portion of the AVF should be 'grandfathered". The Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act of 1979 allows an exemption from interrupting precluding, or discontinuing farming and from effects on the quantity and quality of eater supplying the AVF, if, is the year preceding August 3, 1977, the surface coal mining opera- tions either produced coal in commercial quaatitiee and were located vitF1 n or adjacent to an AVF, or had obtained permit approval to conduct surface coal mining operations within as alluvial valley floor. The geographic extent of the exemption is limited to the actual extent of mine workings as of August 3, 1977, and adjacent lands for which there existed (at that time) substantially demonstrable financial or regulatory commitment to mine in the future. Surface coal mining operations that meet these criteria are exempt from the requirement that prevents an operation from interrupting, discontinuing, or precluding fanning on an AVF and from affecting the quality and quantity of eater supplying the AVF. The company is required to restore the essential hydrologic functions of the AVF upon reclamation. The portions of the permit area within Sections 27, 28, 33 and 3~ are exempt from these requirements. The eligible area ius within Section 26. However, all areas are not exempt from the requirements to restore the essential irydrologic functions of the AVF'e as discussed below. A portion of the non-exempt AVF is presently disturbed by the loadout facil- Sty. This area vas disturbed during the interim program, ac that time, AVF regulations did not an ply to underground coal mines. Most of this area is indicated as being historically flood irrigated. No additional disturbance will take place on this land and no plans are being considered to disturb a~+ additional land on the AVF. Dpon reclamation, the area will be restored to Sts original agricultural potential.