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VID. Protection of Fish. Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />A. The applicant has proposed the use of persistent pesticides on the site during mining <br />and/or reclamation operations. The Division proposes to approve this usage <br />(4.18(4)(g))~ <br />B. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The applicant has selected <br />appropriate plant species and distributions to benefit fish and wildlife (4.18(4)(1)). <br />IX. Oaerations on Alluvial Vallev Floors <br />A. The Division has determined that an alluvial valley floor exists within the affected or <br />adjacent area. Therefore, the following findings are in order for the alluvial valley floor <br />known as the Animas River Alluvial Valley Floor located on the Animas River flowing <br />through Durango, Colorado. <br />The Division finds that activities proposed by the applicant will not intetntpt, <br />discontinue, or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that are itrigated or <br />naturally subirrigated (4.24.3(1)). <br />Upland Terrace Deposits <br />The upland terrace deposits adjacent to and within the permit azea of the mine consist <br />of unconsolidated stream laid deposits laid down by the Animas River when it flowed <br />400 feet higher than its present level. However, there is insufficient surface water to <br />sustain irrigation of the terrace deposits. Regionally, these types of terraces are not <br />irrigated, and are primarily used for the production of dryland wheat. The potential for <br />flood irrigating these upland terraces using Animas River water is not feasible, given the <br />length of the canal needed and the fact that a canal would have to flow through the city <br />of Durango, Colorado. The coarser gravels at the base of these deposits act as an <br />underdrain and prevent subirrigation. Since the terraces are not capable of irrigation or <br />subirrigation, the Division finds that the upland terrace deposits do not constitute an <br />AVF. <br />The Stream Valley in Carbon ]unction Canyon <br />Much of the stream valley of Carbon Junction Canyon flows over sandstone bedrock. <br />Alluvial deposits in this canyon are less than 50 feet wide and 10 acres in extent. <br />Alluvial deposits of such limited extent are not considered substantial enough to support <br />agricultural activities. Therefore, the stream valley in Carbon Junction Canyon does not <br />contain an AVF. <br />zi <br />