GENERAL51479 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-41- The applicant proposes no additional surface disturbance, and the effects of the mining operation on the quantity and quality of water supplied to the Stonewall Valley are protected to not cause material damage. Therefore, the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor outside the proposed disturbed area boundary will be preserved. The applicant has submitted insufficient information to demonstrate that the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor within the disturbed area boundary will be restored in surface disturbance areas other than the area of waste disposal along the Purgatoire River. In order to make a finding of compliance with Rule 4.24.2, the following stipulation is necessary: Stipulation No. lb: WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF PERMIT ISSUANCE, THE PERMITTEE MUST SUBMIT TO THE DIVISION FOR APPROVAL, A DETAILED PLAN DEMONSTRATING HOW~THE ESSENTIAL HYDROLOGIC FUNCTIONS OF THE ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOOR IN THE AREA DISTURBED BY SURFACE OPERATIONS WILL BE PRESERVED OR RESTORED. THE ESSENTIAL HYDROLOGIC FUNCTIONS OF THE DISTURBED ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOOR MUST BE PRESERVED OR RESTORED TO A CONDITION SIMILAR TO THAT OF REPRESENTATIVE ADJACENT UNDISTURBED ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOORS IN THE STONEWALL VALLEY. THIS PLAN WILL BE SUBMITTED AS A REVISION TO THE PERMIT. Ciruela Canyon Ciruela Canyon is an intermittent or ephemeral tributary to the Purgatoire River. The headwaters of Ciruela Canyon are planned to be undermined. The applicant has identified unconsolidated streamlaid deposits meeting the minimum size criteria in Ciruela Canyon. To verify this conclusion, the Division planimetered the areas mapped in Ciruela Canyon. No areas meeting the minimum size criteria of 10 acres were found, therefore, Ciruela Canyon is determined not to be an alluvial valley floor. Apache Canyon Apache Canyon is an intermittent or ephemeral tributary to the Purgatoire River. Portions of Apache Canyon are planned to be undermined. The applicant has identified unconsolidated streamlaid deposits meeting the minimum size criteria in the canyon. No areas of historic or existing flood irrigation have been identified in Apache Canyon or in the other tributaries included in the study area; Alamosito Canyon, Santistevan Canyon, Wet Canyon, or Parras Canyon (Plate 6A of the permit application). The applicant reports that the Purgatoire River valleys are the only areas in the region where irrigation has been historically practiced. These are the only areas where perennial streams and a topography suitable for flood irrigation exist.