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Pursuant to Rule 4.24.2(1), the Division finds that the proposed surface coal mining operations have been designed to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of the North Fork alluvial valley floor. The Blue Ribbon Mine is not located on the North Fork AVF. The probable effects of the mine on the quantity and quality of water tributary to the North Fork AVF are insignificant. XVIII. Operations on Prime Farmland Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(k), the Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland within the proposed permit area. The decision is based on the letter of October 8, 1981, signed by Jim Henkins, President of the Delta Soil Conservation District, stating that there are no prime farmland mapping units within the proposed permit area. This letter can be found on page 96i of the permit application. XIX. Mountaintop Removal A. This section does not apply to the Blue Ribbon Mine. XX. Operations on Steep Slopes The Division proposes to approve a variance from meeting approximate original contour for reclaimed areas pursuant to Rule 2.06.5. The application detailing responses to all applicable sections of Rule 2.06.5(2) can be found in Appendix D of the permit application. A letter demonstrating approval by the U.S. Forest Service, the surface land owner, can be found on page 17iv of the permit application. The operator has committed to providing appropriate geotechnical analysis and proposed restored slope configurations which achieve a static safety factor of 1.3 pursuant to Rule 4.27.4(1). The stabilization of the slope below the mine bench was done in 1985 in accordance with the technical revision request for mine bench stabilization. The mine bench was backfilled with material obtained from the hillside directly south of the mine bench. Approximately 10,000 cubic yards of material was removed from this site. Exhibit F-2, in the permit application, shows the approximate final contours of both the mine bench and hillside borrow area. The mine bench area backfill was placed on approximately a 15-degree slope from the invert of the drainage ditch on the top of the mine bench. The hillside borrow area was not excavated to a slope greater than 25 degrees. This area was seeded and mulched in 1986. The mine bench stabilization project has been performed in accordance with the approved plans. -34-