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Using the above monitoring system, an effect will be evidenced if a difference in water level between the two wells is measured. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), and based on the above discussion, the Division finds that the proposed operation will not adversely affect the hydrologic balance outside the permit area. VIII. Alluvial Valley Floors (2.06.8, 4.24) The applicant's alluvial valley floor investigations in Section 2.06.8 of Volumes I and V of the application were reviewed for compliance. There are two separate areas where alluvial valley floors must be assessed: 1) The surface facilities area and adjacent area at the Roadside and Cameo mines; and 2) the Cottonwood/Rapid Creek drainages and adjacent areas which will be undermined by the Roadside mine. These will be discussed separately in this section. Faciiiiies Area The applicant identified approximately 500 acres of land within the reconaissance study area that meet the geomorphic criteria for alluvial valley floors. This land is located adjacent to the Colorado River. The applicant noted, on Exhibit 33 of the application, that a portion of this land is subirrigated and a portion was historically flood irrigated. It is the applicant's contention that a large portion of the alluvial valley floor meets the requirement for a "grandfathering" exemption. 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 water supplying the alluvial valley floor, if, in the year preceding August 3, 1977, the surface coal mining operations either produced coal in commercial quantities and were located within or adjacent to an alluvial valley floor, or had obtained permit approval to conduct surface coal mining operations within an 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) substantial demonstrable financial or regulatory committment to mine in the future, as required by Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)(B) in the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. Surface coal mining operations which meet these criteria are exempt from the requirement that prevents an operation from interrupting, discontinuing, or precluding farming on an alluvial valley floor and from affecting the quality and quantity of water supplying the alluvial valley floor, but are still required to restore the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor upon reclamation of the mine. _20_