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13 <br /> Riparian habitats are especially sensitive to man's activities. <br /> Activities which alter normal streamflows have the potential to reduce <br /> site quality for riparian vegetation and thus impair conditions for <br /> fish as well as a broad spectrum of wildlife species. <br /> It is essentially' impossible to develop a coal mining operation in <br /> a narrow valley system without displacing parts of the riparian ecosystem. <br /> This already has occurred at the Allen Mine. Current policy at the mine <br /> is protecting some streamside vegetation by prohibiting refuse dumping <br /> up to the river bank as done in earlier years. <br /> Stream Habitats <br /> From the standpoint of fish production, and habitat for other <br /> aquatic organisms, the Purgatoire River is the drainage of interest here. <br /> Streams that contribute to the headwaters of the Purgatoire River arise <br /> in the Sangre de Cristo Range at elevations well above 10,000 feet. The <br /> igneous terrains in this region create an environment from which high- <br /> quality water is produced. However, gradual deterioration in quality <br /> occurs as a natural consequence as the water flows downward across <br /> sedimentary formations at lower elevations. <br /> Temperatures, stream configuration and ratio of riffles to pools <br /> generally provide good trout habitat. Where cropland, grazing, mining <br /> and other activities have not interferred, healthy riparian habitats have <br /> developed to enhance the desirable physical characteristics of the <br /> stream. The presence of a transient, but persistent population of <br /> beaver, generally has added to the value of aquatic habitats; although <br /> j there have been problems resulting from beaver activities. These include <br />