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XVlll. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors Alluvial Vallev Floor Identification Information pertinent to alluvial valley Floor (AVF) determinations is provided in the permit application on pages 2.06-6 through 2.06-25.4, Exhibit 42a (EMD Alluvial Valley Floor Determination), Map No. ~ (Surface Geology), Map No. 15 (Alluvial Valley Floors, Land Use and Water Rights), and the supplemental report of September 22, 1986, "Material Damage Standard for irrigation", and Map No. 13 (Twentymile Park Hydrology). Potentially affected portions of Foidel Creek, Middle Creek, Fish Creek and Lower Trout Creek stream valleys have previously been evaluated with respect to AVF criteria in a number of coal permits, including Twentymile Coal Company's Foidel Creek Mine (C-82-056), Twentymile Coal Company's Fish Creek Tipple (C-81-036), Colorado Yampa Coal Company's Eckman Park, Mine No. 1, and Mine No. 2 (C-81- 071)and Colorado Yampa Coal Company's Energy Mine No. 3 (C-84-062). Numerous areas meeting the criteria for potential AVF's exist in the permit and adjacent area. The Division has made the finding of the presence or absence of AVF's as detailed in the following sections. AVF Determination -Positive Determination Fish Creek Based on existing and potential flood irrigation and subirrigation capabilities, the Division has determined that Fish Creek is an AVF above, within, and below the permit area, down to its confluence with Trout Creek. This area is delineated on Map I S of the permit application, Alluvial Valley Floors and Water Rights. PR-04 approval excluded expansion of the mine plan into the Northern Mining District which underlies the Fish Creek AVF. Trout Creek Alluvial deposits on Trout Creek meet alluvial valley floor criteria based on extensive acreage of flood irrigated hayland, potential for flood irrigation and a presumed capability to support subirrigated vegetation. The Division has determined that Trout Creek is an AVF as delineated on Map l5. Foidel Creek/Middle Creek Confluence The alluvial body at the confluence of Foidel Creek and Middle Creek, extending from the County Road No. 33 crossing of Middle Creek, upsveam on both Foidel and Middle Creeks, to the first Trout Creek irrigation diversion ditch, does meet alluvial valley floor criteria based upon existing flood irrigation and a presumed capability to support subitrigated vegetation. This area is also delineated on Map 15 of the permit application. AVF Determination - Ne¢ative Determination Foidel Creek Previous to PR-03, an alluvial body along Foidel Creek in sections 28, 29, 3l and 32, TSN R86W, was determined not to be an AVF based on a finding of insufficient water to support flood irrigation, and a C: W H B~C82056tR N03~RN03FIND.doc 27