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STATE OF COLORADO RiC H/~RD D. LeMM. Gnvri~^~ III III III III IIII III DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 999 D. Monte Pascoe, Executive Director MINED LAND RECLAMATION 423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. (303) 866-3567 David C. Shelton Director December 6, 1982 T0: Bob Liddle FROM: Jerry ZimpfQY(_,,yy RE: CWI, Orchar[d~h`~'alley Mine - Response to Permit Stipulation No. 2 I have reviewed the report by Geo-Hydro Consulting, Inc., received October 18, 19$2, that was submitted in response to Stipulation No. 2 of the mine permit approval. Stipulation No. 2 required that "the applicant must, within one year of permit issuing, submit a plan to the regulatory authority for restoring the essential hydrologic functions of the Stevens Gulch and North Fork of the Gunnison alluvial valley floors. This plan shall identify the essential hydrologic functions of these tyro alluvial valley floors and must show in adequate detail how the essential hydrologic functions will be restored." The ooerator has worked closely with the Division during the past year to comply with this stipulation. A Phase I report, submitted to the Division on September 7, 1982, indicated that Stevens Gulch should be excluded from the AVF determination. As a result, the October 18th Phase II report provides information only for the Plorth Fork of the Gunnison. I believe that the report provided satisfies Stipulation No. 2. The essential hydrologic functions of the North Fork of the Gunnison alluvial valley floor are those characteristics that make the area suitable for flood irrigation agriculture, in this case, orchards. Ground water levels in the fill are quite high (cross-sections show the ground water to be within 4 to 20 feet of the surface) and may provide limited subirrigation. The report provided by the applicant indicates that this subirrigation results from recharge by the flood irrigation practices in the area. The existing loadout facility was constructed in 1976, and at that time, some agri- cultural lands were taken out of production. (This was prior to the passage of SMCRA and the State Coal Act.) After the termination of mining activities, the coal loadout facility would be reclaimed and the area restored to its original use. All surface facilities and structures would be removed. The area would be graded, tops oiled, and re vegetated. The farmer's ditch would be restored to its approximate pre-mining condition, and an irrigation system for new orchards would be reestablished. You should inform the operator that he has satisfied the requirements of Stipulation No. 2 of the permit approval. If you have any questions concerning this assessment, feel free to ask. /mt cc: Ed Bischoff Jim Pendleton