Laserfiche WebLink
These fields are located in the upper reaches of Sage Creek, and therefore are not typical <br /> of alluvial valley floors in this area with agricultural potential. However, the upper field <br /> (approximately 10 acres) is currently being farmed for hay, and the other larger field <br /> appears to have the potential to be put to use as a sub-irrigated hay field. Furthermore, <br /> during a site visit on May 19, 1995, the upper grass hay field was being flood irrigated by <br /> means of an irrigation ditch along the eastern edge of the field. This was confirmed <br /> during the review of Permit Revision No. 1 (PR1). Due to the existence of flood irrigation <br /> and the presence of sub-irrigation of the unconsolidated streamlaid deposits in the fields <br /> immediately upstream from the old Sage Creek Reservoir, these fields are determined to <br /> be alluvial valley floors. <br /> The field just above the breached Sage Creek dam is dissected by the streambed. This <br /> area is undeveloped rangeland that is currently used for grazing. The limited size of the <br /> field would make it difficult for farm equipment to operate. This field is not typical of <br /> agriculturally productive alluvial valley floors in this region. <br /> Land management information and farm productivity values for the hayfield in Section 18 <br /> were provided. The field in Section 18 is the smallest of three fields managed by the <br /> Valora family as part of a limited sheep ranching operation. Dominant grass species in <br /> the field are Bromus inermis (smooth brome), and Poa ammophila (bluegrass). The field <br /> produces one hay cutting per year at a maximum rate of 2 tons/acre for a maximum <br /> production of 20 tons/year. The maximum annual production from the total ranching <br /> operation is 150 tons. The field in Section 18 provides 13% of the total productivity. The <br /> estimated worst case loss in productivity is 2.8% as shown on Table 17-17a of the permit <br /> application. Crop reductions were based on the formula presented in the Material Damage <br /> Assessment Process Pertaining to Alluvial Valley Floors, Surface Water, Ground Water <br /> and Subsidence at Coal Mines (January, 1988). As referenced in this document, less than <br /> a 3% reduction is considered insignificant. <br /> The Division finds that activities proposed by Seneca Property, LLC will not interrupt, <br /> discontinue or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors in the Sage Creek Reservoir <br /> Site that are irrigated or naturally sub-irrigated. The field in Section 13 is undeveloped <br /> rangeland, which is not significant to farming, and the field in Section 18 provides <br /> negligible support for the farm's agricultural production(4.24.3(1) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)). <br /> The proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the <br /> surface or ground water system described above, because the lands are of such small <br /> acreage as to be of negligible impact on the farm's agricultural production(4.24.3(3) <br /> and 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)). <br /> The proposed activities will comply with the requirement of the Act and the regulations <br /> with respect to alluvial valley floors (2.06.8(5)(a)(iii)). <br /> Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential <br /> hydrologic functions of alluvial floors outside the permit area (4.24.2). <br /> An environmental monitoring system was installed, maintained, and operated by the <br /> 27 <br />