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2.06.7 Variances for Delay in Contempor,3ntous Reclamation Requirements in <br />Combined Surface and Underground Mining Operations <br />The New Elk Mine is not a canbined surface and underground mining <br />operation. Therefore, this Section is not applicable. <br />2.06.8 Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations on Alluvial Valley <br />Floors <br />Extensive study of the area which will be affected by the New Elk <br />Mine indicates that an alluvial valley floor is present in the area of the <br />Purgatoire River. The field mapping and associated work is shown in <br />Exhibit 8, Hydrology and Geology Information, which has been prepared. The <br />areas which have been traditionally flood irrigated or which have been <br />subirrigated are delineated on Map 20, Subsidence Control Plan. Durirg the <br />study and delineation of this alluvial valley floor, numerous monitoring <br />wells were drilled and are also shown on Map 8, Regional Hydrology. Other <br />information associated with the alluvial valley floor is shown on Map 4, <br />Premine Iand Use, Map 5, Geology, Map 9, Soils and Map 10, Vegetation. <br />Other related information includes Exhibit 11, Water Well Information, <br />Exhibit 14, Soils Information and Exhibit 15, Vegetation Information. As <br />previously discussed in the Protection of the Hydrologic Balance section of <br />this application, Apache and Ciruela Canyons have been found not to contain <br />AVF's because of the absence of sub irrigation in Apache Canyon and the <br />limited size criteria in Ciruela Canyon. <br />WFC has completed a mine plan, shown on Map 3, which will not <br />interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floor, <br />nor will it materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the <br />surface and groundwater systems which supply the alluvial valley floor. <br />Minimal surface operation and controlled subsidence as discussed in Exhibit <br />24, Subsidence Control Plan, will be utilized to minimize effects to the <br />alluvial valley floor. In addition, the Spill Prevention Control and <br />Countermeasure Plan <br />2.06-2 <br />