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1. The applicant has proposed the use of persistent pesticides on the site <br /> during mining and/or reclamation operations. One or more of seven <br /> herbicides listed in Table 22-11 of the permit application may be used <br /> to control noxious weeds in the mine area. The Division proposes to <br /> approve this usage. (4.18(5)(g)). <br /> 2. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post-mining land use. The <br /> applicant has selected appropriate plant species and distributions to <br /> benefit fish and wildlife. Refer to Section VfH of this document for <br /> additional discussion of the revegetation seed mix. (4.18(5)(i)). <br /> X. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <br /> Two alluvial valley floor(AVF) studies were performed on Sage and Grassy Creek and <br /> their tributaries in the vicinity of the proposed Yeast permit area. This information is <br /> found in Tab 16 of the permit application package. <br /> As a result of 1992-93 AVF studies, Seneca Coal Company concluded there are no <br /> AVF's in the Grassy Creek watershed in hydrologic communication with the proposed <br /> Yeast Mine. Based on information presented by the applicant, discussions with the <br /> Routt County office of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, interviews with <br /> farmers,and field reconnaissance,the Division agrees with the applicant's conclusion. <br /> No alluvial valley floors exist in the permit area or the adjacent Grassy Creek <br /> watershed which are in hydrologic communication with the proposed Yeast Mine. <br /> As a result of 1990 AVF investigations in the Sage Creek watershed, Seneca Coal <br /> Company concluded there are no AVF's in this basin in hydrologic communication with <br /> the proposed Yoast Mine. Based on information submitted by the applicant, field <br /> reconnaissance, interviews with farmers, and previous findings by the Division and the <br /> applicant related to the Seneca II-West Mine, the Division does not concur with the <br /> applicant's conclusion. The Division concludes that two areas along Sage Creek <br /> downstream from the Yeast permit area meet the regulatory definition of alluvial <br /> valley floors. These areas are discussed below. <br /> Sage Creek Reservoir Site <br /> Two fields located just upstream from the former Sage Creek Reservoir dam(Sections <br /> 13 and 18) are identified in the Yoast application as subirrigated native wetlands and <br /> subirrigated grass hay. The native wetland area is basically the area once covered by <br /> the reservoir, which failed in 1985. This area is currently used for grazing. The area <br /> immediately upstream from the former reservoir site is currently used as a grass hay <br /> field. <br /> These fields are located in the upper reaches of Sage Creek,and therefore are not typical <br /> of alluvial valley floors in this area with agricultural potential. However, the upper <br /> Yoast Mine 36 October 19, 1999 <br />