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<br />thus subirrigation) would be less affected by mine discharge than Trout Creek surface water (and flood <br />irrigation). <br />3. The proposed operation would preserve the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley <br />Floor. <br />The essential hydrologic functions of the Trout Creek alluvial valley floor have been identified as the <br />capacity to support subirrigated and flood irrigated agricultural activities. <br />71te proposed plan would not result in any surface disturbance or undermining of the AVF. Also, as <br />discussed previously, no material damage would result from changes in the quality of surface and <br />ground water that supply the alluvial valley floor. Thus, the essential hydrologic functions of [he <br />alluvial valley floor would not be affected by the proposed operation. <br />Foidel Creek/Middle Creek Confluence Area <br />Map 15 of the life of mine application delineates previously designated alluvial valley floors in the <br />vicinity of the Foidel Creek/Middle Creek confluence, downstream along Middle Creek to the Trout <br />Creek confluence and downstream on Trout Creek to the Yampa River. Map 15 shows a flood <br />irtigated field at the confluence of Foidel and Middle Creek and a,number of flood irrigated fields <br />along the Trout Creek AVF downstream from the Middle Creek confluence. <br />In the 1983 Findings for the Foidel Creek Mine, the Division concluded that lower Foidel Creek, lower <br />Middle Creek and lower Trout Creek were alluvial valley floors because of a presumed capability to <br />support flood irrigated and subirrigated agricultural activities. The Trout Creek AVF was addressed <br />previously in this section. Subirrigated alluvium on Middle Creek downstream of Routt County Road <br />No. 27 crossing does not meet AVF criteria due to limited farmable acreage, as was also discussed <br />previously. <br />The alluvial body at the confluence of Foidel Creek and Middle Creek extending from the County Road <br />No. 33 crossing of Middle Creek upstream on Middle to the first Trout Creek irrigation diversion as <br />depicted on Map No. 15, Water Rights and Alluvial Valley Floors, does meet alluvial valley floor <br />criteria based upon existing flood irrigation and a presumed capability to support subirrigated <br />vegetation. These findings do not address areas further upstream on Middle Creek, as they are not <br />hydrologically connected to the proposed mining operation. The required findings for the identified <br />alluvial valley floor at the confluence of Foidel Creek and Middle Creek are set forth below. <br />The proposed mining operations would not interrupt, discontinue or preclude farming on the <br />alluvia{ valley floor. <br />The mine plan for the Eastern Mining District was shortened from the originally proposed panel <br />length for {ongwall panels 9R and 8R. Longwall panels in the Eastern Mining District did not <br />undermine the Foidel Creek/Middle Creek Confluence AVF. Proposed longwall panels 6R through 2R <br />in Eastem Mining District (Panels 6R-2R) presented in PR-04, will undermine a portion of Middle <br />Creek; however, the affected portion of Middle Creek is not designated as an AVF. <br />2. The proposed mining operations. would not cause material damage to the quantity or quality of <br />surface and ground water that supply the alluvial valley floor. <br />26 <br />