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and submit a plan demonstrating that the essential hydrologic functions can be preserved <br />throughout mining or restored after mining. <br />The essential hydrologic functions of the AVF along the North Fork of the Gunnison are <br />both flood irrigation and subirrigation. The lower levels of this AVF are subirrigated <br />naturally. Ye[, the upper portions, between the Farmers Ditch and the river, which <br />exhibit some subirrigation, may be attributed to recharge from adjacent irrigation ditches <br />and canals. In these areas flood irrigation is the essential function. <br />The operator will restore the essential hydrologic functions of this Alluvial Valley Floor <br />at the completion of mining. The ]oadout facilities will be dismantled and hauled off the <br />site. The area will be regraded to restore irrigation ditches and original pre-mining <br />contours. <br />With the acceptance of Stipulation No. 26, the Division finds that the essential <br />hydrologic functions of the Alluvial Valley Floor along the North Fork of the Gunnison <br />River will be restored after mining. <br />The Alluvial Valley Floor assumed to exist adjacent to the permit revision area along <br />Terror Creek is not grandfathered and, therefore, is protected under the full scope of the <br />Act and Regulations. <br />As previously mentioned, a negative determination for the presence of an AVF was <br />made for East and Wes[ Roatcap Creek as well as the lands affected in the Terror Creek <br />drainage basin. <br />Based on this information the Division makes the following findings: <br />1. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i), the Division finds that the proposed surface mining <br />operations, would not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on Alluvial Valley <br />Floors (Rule 2.06.8(5)). <br />2. Pursuant to Rule 2.05.8(5)(a)(ii), the Division finds [hat the proposed surface coal <br />mining operations would not materially damage the quantity and quality of water in <br />surface and ground water systems that supply those Alluvial Valley Floors or portions of <br />Alluvial Valley Floors. <br />3. Pursuant to Rule 4.24.2(1), the Division finds that the proposed surface coal mining <br />operation has been designed to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of Alluvial <br />Valley Floors. <br />XVIII. Operations on Prime Farmland -Rule 4.25 <br />Information pertaining to prime farmland may be found on pages 88 and 89 of Section <br />2.04 and in the Prime Farmland Appendix of Volume 9A. <br />48 <br />