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2-09-1996 6:57AM FROM ENVIRONMENTAL 3038702753 P.2 <br />~~ ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOOR DETERMINATION <br />introduction <br />Twentymilc Coal Company is proposing to undermine segments of Foidel and Middle Creeks in the Eastern <br />Mining District. As such, Twentymile is required to address the alluvial valley floor requirements of the <br />CMI,RD regulation. Twentymile is proposing the segments of Foidel Creek, located in parts of sections 14, 21, <br />22, 23, and 28 in 'fSN, R86W, and the segments of Middle Creak, located in parts of sections 12, 23, and 26 in <br />TSN, R86W, not be designated as alluvial valley flour. As can be seen on the mine plan maps, the creeks are <br />narrow and, in the case of the appropriate segment of Middle Creek, deeply incised. It is due to this fact, the <br />narrowness and lack of flood irrigation potential, that Twenrymile believes that these areas should not he <br />desigoatcd as alluvial valley floors. <br />Foidel Creek <br />Prior to mining activities within the Foidel Creek drainage, Foidel Creek was att intermittent stream. This is <br />haled upon the hydrologic monitoring that was and is being collected at the adjacent Colorado Yampa Coal <br />Company's Eckman Park Mine. Historically, Foidel Creek flowed during the spring (snowmclt period) and then <br />dried up for the remainder of the yeaz. Periodically it ~+ould flow in response to si-rable precipitation events. <br />The critical element is that water was not available for flood irrigation. <br />As is evident by viewing any of the topographic maps in the permit and also by walking dte drainages, it <br />becomes obvious that these two streams and their respective valley floors are not significant to the agricultural <br />activities otthe area. In order to support this position, vegetation surveys were conducted during the summer of <br />1994 in the valley bottoms of both creeks attd their associated upland areas. The results of the study are <br />presented in "fables 1 through 10. Tables 1 and 2 provide a list of the species found on the creekside and upland <br />areas at h'oidel Creek, respectively. Tables 3 and 4 provide the production and cover data summary for the <br />Foidel Creek creckside area. Tables 5 and 6 provide the production and cover data summary for the foidel Creek <br />upland area adjacent to Foidel Creek. Tables 7 and 8 provide the production and cover data summary for the <br />Middle Crak creekside area. Tables 9 and 10 provide the production ayd cover data summary for the Middle <br />Creek upland arcs. ' <br />7'he following is a discussion of the palatability and the availability of the grasses in the Foidel Creek Alluvial <br />Valley Floor (AVF) versus the palatability of the upland ecotype. This vegetation study was conducted during <br />rho summer of 1994, between the dates of Jane 13 and July ] 7, prior to graiing. Transectc were plotted on the <br />map prior to the field work. All samples were then analyzed to a statistical confidence level of 90%. Cover was <br /> <br />PR 93-03 F.X. 42A 2/9/96 <br />