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subirrigated. All of these subirrigated deposits are too small and too irregular in <br /> shape to support agricultural development. Many of these deposits are simply <br /> islands created by meander cutoffs and are not accessible. The river poses numerous <br /> difficulties for farming these locations, including access, flooding, and changes in <br /> channel location. Due to the inability of these small isolated alluvial deposits to <br /> support agricultural development, the Division finds that no alluvial valley floors <br /> exist within the narrow valley of the North Fork of the Gunnison River upstream <br /> from its confluence with Gribble Gulch. <br /> Other areas of consideration include isolated high terraces along the North Fork of <br /> the Gunnison River. However, the high terraces are probably not of alluvial origin, <br /> and they may actually represent remnants of glacial debris, particularly in light of <br /> their relatively thin, immature soils. A reconnaissance of the areas showed no <br /> evidence of historic or current agricultural activity. These and other high terraces <br /> along the North Fork have a mining/residential land use history dating back to at <br /> least 1935. Terrace sites' isolation from modern river terraces and general site and <br /> soil characteristics indicate that agricultural development prior to its present use is <br /> not likely. <br /> MCC has no control over the terrace area on the north side of the North Fork <br /> (SW'/a, Section 9, T13S, R90W) and has no plans for developing this site in <br /> association with the West Elk Mine. Less than teh acres of noncolluvial materials <br /> are evident at this location. Most of these are associated with the apparent glacial <br /> remnant gravel deposits. No agricultural activities have been conducted on this site. <br /> The immature soils would not be adequate to support general agronomic activities, <br /> and development would probably be limited to improved pasture. Because of the <br /> size limitations of this area and the lack of a well developed soil capable of <br /> supporting sustained agronomic production, the terrace area on the north side of the <br /> North Fork does not meet the criteria of an AVF. <br /> Downstream from the town of Somerset, the valley opens up and the applicant has <br /> identified a much larger body of alluvium. Areas within Sections 13 and 14 have <br /> been identified as currently supporting agriculture. fn the permit approval issued <br /> July 29, 1981, MCC was notified of a positive alluvial valley floor declaration for <br /> the North Fork of the Gunnison River in Section 18, T13S, R90W and Sections 13 <br /> and 14, T13S, R91W. A stipulation was included in the original permit approval <br /> requiring that the applicant demonstrate that the mining operation's fresh water usage <br /> will not materially damage the quantity and quality of water supplying the alluvial <br /> valley floor. This stipulation was complied with on March 25, 1982, with the <br /> following response: <br /> Mining activities at the West Elk Mine will not affect the quantity and quality of <br /> water in the North Fork. The coal seam to be mined lies a significant distance <br /> above the North Fork and is not considered to bean aquifer. Surface facilities <br /> have been designed and located to prevent contamination of the river. <br /> Changes in the quantity of water supplied to the AVF depend on the difference <br /> between water used and water discharged to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. <br /> 50 <br />