Laserfiche WebLink
<br />One final body is being identified as an alluvial valley floor by <br />the Division. The area adjacent to the confluence of Thompson <br />Creek and the Crystal River is an alluvial valley floor. This area <br />is currently being used as irrigated pastureland and may be <br />significant to agriculture. This body, although included within <br />the applicant's study area, is located over five miles downstream <br />from the mine and was not physically disturbed by the operation. <br />Therefore, its essential hydrologic functions have been preserved. <br />B. Loadout <br />The Division has identified the lands adjacent to the Roaring Fork <br />River as an alluvial valley floor above, adjacent to, and below the <br />Loadout. The extent of the alluvial valley floor is identified as <br />"Qg" on Map D-3-6 of the application. The AVF extends from <br />Highway 82 on the east side of the Roaring Fork to the Kaiser- <br />Sievers irrigation ditch on the west side of the Roaring Fork <br />River. It also extends at least one mile upstream and two miles <br />downstream from the Loadout. <br />The terrace upon which the Loadout truck dump is located is not an <br />alluvial valley floor. This is because the definition of alluvial <br />valley floors specifically excludes upland areas and isolated <br />terraces that are not hydrologically connected to the river. <br />As previously mentioned, the Loadout was built prior to the <br />enactment of alluvial valley floor regulations for underground <br />mines. As a result of construction, the Loadout has taken 35 acres <br />out of agricultural production. This acreage is insignificant to <br />the adjacent farms' total production. The adjacent Crystal River <br />Ranch and Diamond 5 Ranch comprise over 2,700 acres and 700 acres <br />of irrigated land, respectively. <br />Upon termination of mining, the Loadout will be restored to its <br />pre-mining agricultural condition. The essential hydrologic <br />function of flood irrigation will be restored. <br />C. Findings <br />Based on the information presented in the application, the Division <br />makes the following findings: <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5>(a)(i), the Division finds that the <br />surface mining operations did not interrupt, discontinue, or <br />preclude farming on alluvial valley floors (Rule 2.06.8(5)), <br />and that any existing disturbance that was "pre-law" was <br />insignificant to the total farms production. <br />2. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(6)(a)(ii), the Division finds that the <br />surface coal mining operations did not materially damage the <br />quantity and quality of water in surface and ground water <br />systems that supply those alluvial valley floors or portions of <br />alluvial valley floors. <br />26- <br />