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B. Primary Impacts <br />None of the three designated alluvial valley floors are within the area to be mined; therefore, <br />mining operations will not cause direct disturbance to any alluvial valley floors. Any mining <br />impact that might occur will be indirect in nature. <br />C. Secondary Impacts <br />It is believed that the areas to be mined presently contribute relatively little water to alluvial <br />valley floors. Any degraded water that might reach an alluvial valley floor would be diluted by <br />other sources. In addition, alluvial valley floors are protected by both stream buffer zones and <br />treatment of runoff from disturbed areas in sediment ponds. <br />The Gossard Loadout is located near the confluence of Wilson and Taylor Creeks and the <br />alluvial valley floor associated with Wilson Creek. There is a slight potential for waters of <br />degraded quality to reach alluvial materials near the loadout. An alluvial well located near the <br />loadout is monitoring this situation. Runoff from the surrounding areas above the loadout are <br />diverted around the disturbance and waters from the disturbance itself are treated in sediment <br />ponds and must meet CDPS standards before being released. <br />Waters leaching salts from reclaimed spoils may eventually reach Taylor, Wilson and <br />Goodspring Creeks. It is believed that these spoil waters will still meet CDPS standards and will <br />not contribute salts in levels that would warrant changes in mining and reclamation plans. This <br />situation will be monitored through alluvial wells located on Wilson Creek (near the Gossard <br />Loadout) and on Goodspring Creek both above and below mining disturbances. <br />Details of Colowyo's water monitoring plan are found in Section B, Item III of this document <br />and in Section 4.05 of the Permit. <br />D. Specific Findings Required by Rule 4.24 <br />The Division has determined that an alluvial valley floor exists within the affected or <br />adjacent area. Therefore, the following findings are in order for the alluvial valley floors <br />located in Wilson Creek and Goodspring Creek. Lower Elkhorn Creek is located outside <br />the permit area and will not be affected by mining at Colowyo. <br />The Division finds that activities proposed by the Applicant will not interrupt, <br />discontinue, or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that are irrigated or <br />naturally sub - irrigated [Rule 4.24.3(1)]. In addition, the proposed activities will not <br />materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the surface or ground water system <br />described above [Rules 4.24.3(3) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)]. Lastly, the proposed activities will <br />comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations with respect to alluvial <br />valley floors [Rule 2.06.8(5)(b)(ii)(b)]. Surface coal mining and reclamation operations <br />Colowyo Coal Mine C1981 -019 PR -03 71 April 10, 2013 <br />