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-18- The potential for any impact on ground water supplying the alluvial valley floor as a result of the operation is also minimal. No ground water inflows have been associated with mining in the area in the past. This indicates that there is little potential for the mine to impact ground water quality. The spring which was identified in Starkville Gulch discharges from a point below the coal seam to be mined. Because no ground water inflow into the mine is anticipated, there is little potential for the operation to impact the quality of water in this spring. No ground water inflows are anticipated for this operation. However, if inflows are experienced, the water will be discharged from the mine, treated, and released into Raton Creek. Surface water detained by the sedimentation pond will be released within 72 hours of any particular precipitation event. The spring in Starkville Gulch was developed from a seep by the operator. It is evident that the over- a11 potential effect of the operation will be to increase, rather than decrease, the quantity of water supplied to the alluvial valley floor. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(iii), the Division finds the proposed operations will not materially damage the quantity and quality of water in surface and ground water systems that supply alluvial valley floors or portions of alluvial valley floors. Alluvial Valley Floor Findings with Regard to Preserving Hydrologic Functions The potential for any effect on surface water quality and quantity in Raton Creek was discussed above. Rs discussed in Section IX of this Findings Document, the applicant intends to monitor surface and ground water resources in the permit area. Monitoring results will either verify the conclusions drawn in this Findings Document, or will indicate a need for mitigation. Upon completion of mining, the portals will be sealed, the area will be reclaimed, and any potentially toxic materials will be effectively insulated from the hydrologic environment. Because some old portals will be covered during the course of reclaiming the disturbance, and because old spoil piles which presently exist in the drainage will be graded, stabilized and reclaimed, the overall effect of the operation will probably be to mitigate any potential negative impacts on water supplied to the alluvial valley floor. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(iii), the Division finds that the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation will preserve, through- out the mining and reclamation process, the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor.