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Impacts to Alluvial Valley Floors (AVFs) <br />The Division designated approximately 20 acres of Grassy Creek as an Alluvial Valley Floor (AVF) <br />in an area approximately 1.5 miles from the Grassy Gap Mine. The essential hydrologic function of <br />the Grassy Creek AVF was identified as potential flood irrigation. Mining operations at the Grassy <br />Gap Mine did not disturb the land surface disturbance of this AVF. The previously described <br />absence of adverse hydrologic impacts to Grassy Creek surface water and alluvial ground water <br />indicate the essential hydrologic functions of the AVF have been preserved by maintaining the <br />geologic, hydrologic, and biologic characteristics that support those functions. <br />Hydrologic Balance Protection Conclusions <br />All hydrologic structures that were not approved as permanent structures have been reclaimed and <br />there is no water pollution occurring. All of the observed hydrologic impacts are consistent with <br />those predicted in the Division's Yampa River Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment. Based <br />on the foregoing observations, the Division finds that the Grassy Gap Mine has minimized <br />disturbance of the hydrologic balance in the mine plan and adjacent areas, and prevented material <br />damage outside the permit area. The Division also finds that the Grassy Gap Mine has not caused <br />hydrologic changes that adversely affect the approved post-mining land use in the permit area. <br />V. Summary <br />The Grassy Gap Mine is a permit revocation/bond forfeiture site. Reclamation was completed in <br />accordance with the June 26, 1990 "Agreement between the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division <br />and the Rockcastle Company". Ten years or more have passed following site reseeding. Maintenance of <br />the site has been conducted by Division contractors to maintain permanent structures and manage noxious <br />weed species. Pit access roads, Pond 4, Pond 5, and the rip-rapped drainage to Pond 5 are approved to <br />remain as permanent structures. Erosion on the site is minimal and drainages appear stable. The reclaimed <br />vegetation has established a self-sustaining community that supports the post-mining land use of rangeland. <br />The reclaimed area withstands and recovers from repeated livestock grazing. The site is not contributing <br />additional suspended solids to stream flow more than adjacent undisturbed lands. The site presents no <br />hazards to public health and safety. <br />VI. Proposed Decision <br />The Division finds that all surface coal mining reclamation operations have been completed in accordance <br />with the June 26, 1990 "Agreement between the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division and the <br />Rockcastle Company" and meet all reclamation requirements of the Rules and the Act to the extent possible <br />considering the revoked nature of the permit. The site appears to have successfully achieved the post- <br />mining land use. Based on the findings set forth above, the Division proposes to terminate jurisdiction at <br />the Grassy Gap Mine. This proposed decision terminates all Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />involvement for the permit area of the Grassy Gap Mine. <br />Any person with a valid legal interest, which might be adversely affected by this proposed decision, may <br />request a formal public hearing before the Mined Land Reclamation Board in accordance with Section <br />3.03.2(6). Public notice of this proposed decision will be published twice in the Steamboat Pilot for two <br />weeks as soon as possible. Requests for public hearing must be submitted to the Division in writing within <br />Grassy Gap TOJ 6/5/2009 18