Laserfiche WebLink
parcel in the vicinity of the reservoir embankment. Meadow grass types potentially <br />enhanced by subirrigation occur in the southern parcel, and as a minor type in the <br />northern parcel. The grass meadows may have been managed for hay production in the <br />past, but the report indicates that there is no evidence of management for hay production <br />in recent years. Further, the largest contiguous acreage of potentially subirrigated grass <br />meadow owned by a single landowner is 1.1 acres. Estimated production from the 1.1 - <br />acre field would support less than 3 animal unit months (AUM's). <br />The Division concludes that the Dry Creek Section 9 parcels do not constitute an alluvial <br />valley floor. This finding is based on the fact that the native wetland community does not <br />support agriculturally useful vegetation and as such does not meet AVF criteria. Further, <br />the meadow parcels, due to small size, split ownership, and limited production potential, <br />do not play a significant role in support of an economically viable ranching or farming <br />operation, nor do they serve a special role in agricultural land use in the region. As such, <br />the meadow parcels do not meet AVF criteria. <br />AVF Findings <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 />known as Sage Creek, Hubberson Gulch, and Dry Creek located east, west, and northwest, <br />respectively, of the permit boundary. <br />1. With regard to Dry Creek, the Division finds that activities proposed by the applicant <br />will not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that <br />are irrigated or naturally subirrigated except for small areas which may provide <br />negligible support for the farm's agricultural production (4.24.3(1)) and <br />2.06.8(5)(a)(i)). <br />The only mining related activity which would interrupt farming on an alluvial valley <br />floor is the tie across haul road which has already been completed. The Division <br />previously determined that the 2.3 acres of hayland on the Dry Creek AVF which <br />would be taken out of production represented only 0.2% of the farm unit and was <br />therefore of negligible impact. Actual mining operations will be conducted a half <br />mile or more from the alluvial deposits of Hubberson Gulch, Dry Creek, and Sage <br />Creek. <br />2. With regard to Hubberson Gulch, Sage Creek and Dry Creek, the activities will not <br />materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the surface or ground water <br />system (4.24.3(3) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)), and the proposed activities will comply with <br />the requirements of the Act and the Regulations with respect to alluvial valley floors <br />(2.06.8(5)(a)(iii). <br />a. On Hubberson Gulch, a 26 -acre subirrigated and flood irrigated hayfield, as <br />well as a point of diversion, are located in portions of Sections 16 and 21, TSN, <br />R8 8W. The fields are downstream from Pond 016 and 017 discharge points and <br />39 <br />