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Stipulation No. 14 to the permit, requiring CCC to reevaluate two sediment control structures in <br />accordance with Rules 4.05.2, 4.05.5, and 4.05.6. The two areas in Collom expansion area that <br />were planned for small area exemption status, specifically the 9.8 -acre corner of the shop area and <br />the 7.2 -acre area outside Deer Draw, require an alternative plan. <br />In addition to the use of sediment ponds, the Division proposes to grant small area exemptions <br />for topsoil stockpiles, electric power substation installations, the linear fresh water line, and the <br />rail loop. There will be no mixing of surface drainage with discharges from mining pits at the <br />exempted areas. <br />Based on monitoring data from 2004 through 2006, water quality in the perennial streams was <br />characterized as follows. Collom Gulch samples contained calcium- magnesium or calcium - <br />sodium anions and bicarbonate - chloride - sulfate cations. Some TDS and manganese <br />concentrations exceeded the USEPA secondary drinking water standards, but total recoverable <br />iron standards did not exceed the USEPA aquatic life standard. TDS concentrations increase in <br />the downstream direction. <br />Water quality in the main stem of Jubb Creek is dominated by calcium- sodium anions and <br />chloride- sulfate- bicarbonate cations. All TDS concentrations exceeded the USEPA secondary <br />drinking water standards, but manganese concentrations did not. Total recoverable iron <br />standards did not exceed the USEPA aquatic life standard. TDS concentrations increase in the <br />downstream direction. <br />The alluvial deposits of Goodspring Creek, Wilson Creek, and lower Elkhorn Creek meet the <br />geomorphic and irrigation criteria of an AVF and are discussed in Section B, Item XVII of this <br />document. <br />The Division has determined that an alluvial valley floor exists within the affected or adjacent <br />area of the Collom expansion area. Therefore, the following findings are in order for the alluvial <br />valley floors located in Collom Gulch, Little Collom Gulch and Morgan Gulch outside of the <br />permit area. These AVFs will not be affected by mining at Colowyo. A short segment of Jubb <br />Creek passes through the northwest corner of the expanded permit area. Jubb Creek is not within <br />the affected area and is not hydrologically connected to the affected area; thus, it will not be <br />affected by mining at Colowyo. <br />The Division finds that activities proposed by the Applicant will not interrupt, discontinue or <br />preclude farming on any alluvial valley floors that are irrigated or naturally sub - irrigated [Rule <br />4.24.3 (1)]. In addition, the proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality <br />of water in the surface or ground water system described above [Rules 4.24.3(3) and <br />2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)]. Lastly, the proposed activities will comply with the requirements of the Act and <br />the Regulations with respect to alluvial valley floors [Rule 2.06.8(5)(b)(ii)(b)]. Surface coal <br />mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic <br />functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit area and to reestablish the essential <br />Colowyo Coal Mine C1981 -019 PR -03 26 April 10, 2013 <br />