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would only have intermittent flow if it were not for irrigation return flows and the areas are <br />not naturally subirrigated. <br />These areas are flood - irrigated by waters acquired from a headgate on the San Miguel <br />River, located approximately 15 miles upstream. San Miguel River water quality (TDS of <br />180 mg /1) is far better than that found in either Tuttle (TDS of 1200 mg /1) or Calamity <br />Draws (TDS of 1950 mg /1). Water from Tuttle or Calamity Draws could not be used for <br />agriculture without very controlled management. <br />The San Miguel River could support several potential alluvial valley floors. However, <br />since the mine areas are two -and- one -half to three miles upstream, the distance separating <br />the mine from the river is sufficient to mitigate any impacts. In addition, the amount of <br />flow contributed by Tuttle Draw and Calamity Draw to the San Miguel River is very small <br />(0.4 percent of annual mean flow at Uravan). Therefore, the San Miguel River AVFs are <br />considered to be located outside of the potentially affected area. <br />XVIIL Operations on Prime Farmland <br />Based on information presented in soil surveys included in the permit application and the <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) San Miguel Area Soil Survey, as well as <br />correspondence from and consultation with NRCS staff, the Division has determined that <br />prime farmland soils, which are Prime Farmland when cropped and irrigated with a <br />dependable water supply, occur in two locations within the NH -2 portion of the New <br />Horizon Permit Area. These prime farmland soils include soil map units D70, D70B, 98E, <br />and 98A, within the NH -2 portion of the permit area, as delineated on permit Map 2.04.9 -1. <br />The current status of prime farmland soil areas with respect to Prime Farmland designation <br />is as follows: <br />Designated Prime Farmland <br />WFC Property <br />Map Unit 98A (Begay Fine Sandy Loam) which occurs on 3.52 acres in the northwest <br />corner of the NH -2 permit area block was determined to be Prime Farmland, based on <br />NRCS determination that the site was historically cropped and irrigated (see NRCS <br />Resource Conservationist letter dated June 27, 2008, in permit Attachment 2.04.9- 10 -4). <br />Based on the actual areal extent of disturbance and practical considerations, the Division <br />has designated a slightly larger (4.68 acre) area incorporating the 98A parcel as Prime <br />Farmland, as indicated on permit Map 2.05.4 -4. <br />Morgan Property <br />Darvey -Barx Complex soils dominate the portion of the NH -2 permit block located south of <br />BB Road and west of 2700 Road, covering approximately 85% of the 107.96 acre area. <br />Updated evaluation of prime farmland soils by NRCS in 2008 determined that the Darvey- <br />57 <br />