Laserfiche WebLink
<br />2.06.7 VARIANCES FOR DELAY IN CONTEMPORANEOUS RECLAMATION REQUIREMENTS IN <br />COMBINED SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND MINING OPERATIONS <br />As discussed in Section 2.05.3, Operation Plan - Permit Area, EFCI's <br />existing and proposed mining operations will be limited to underground <br />mining of recoverable coal reserves utilizing room and pillar mining <br />methods. EFCI does not currently, and has no plans to, conduct surface <br />mining operations. As a result, the specific provisions of this section <br />are not applicable to either EFCI's existing or planned mining and related <br />activities. <br />2.06.8 SURFACE COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS ON AREAS. OR <br />ADJACENT TO AREAS. INCLUDING ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOORS <br />Field investigations and technical evaluations of all drainages containing <br />streams within and adjacent to the Southfield permit area were conducted <br />• by consultants to Dorchester, the previous operator of the Southfield Mine <br />in gaining approval of Permit No. C-037-81. These investigations were <br />conducted in compliance with applicable provisions of Section 2.06.8 of <br />the Colorado Regulations, and OSM's 1980 Alluvial Valley Floor Guidelines. <br />Copies of all correspondence and reports relative to alluvial valley floor <br />investigations are provided in Exhibit 24, Alluvial Valley Floor <br />Investigations. <br />The investigations concluded that there are no areas within the Southfield <br />mine area which qualify as alluvial valley floors. However, one (1) area <br />at the Southfield loadout was determined to be meet both the geomorphic <br />and water availability criteria for alluvial valley floors. This area, <br />located in the southwestern portion of the coal loadout area is shown on <br />the Loadout Area Surface and Groundwater Hydrology Map, (Map 13). It is <br />approximately five (5) acres in size, flat-lying and was determined to be <br />suitable for flood irrigation. Vegetative species present within this <br />alluvial valley floor area do not indicate existing sub-irrigation. Since <br />• this area is not currently used for flood irrigation or sub-irrigation <br />agricultural activities, a determination of significance for this area was <br />not necessary. <br />2.06-4 <br />