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permittee on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation <br /> operations and will continue until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3. <br /> Sage Creek "Flood Irrigated Alfalfa Fields" <br /> The Yoast permit application package indicates the presence of approximately 86 acres of <br /> flood irrigated alfalfa hay along Sage Creek in Section 30. Five to ten acres of alfalfa <br /> were flood irrigated in this field from 1988-1992. The field was irrigated by means of <br /> pipes spreading water from a small reservoir near Sage Creek. The reservoir does not <br /> currently impound water because the dam is breached. The field was converted to dryland <br /> wheat for a number of reasons. Water availability-for irrigation was marginal; however, <br /> future restoration of the dam and flood irrigation of the field is a remote possibility. The <br /> creek typically dries up in July or August. <br /> In PRI, Seneca Property, LLC addressed the potential for flood irrigation in the Section <br /> 30 field. It is unlikely a reservoir in Sage Creek will be rebuilt. Two previous dams have <br /> failed and the increased engineering specifications and costs involved in rebuilding the <br /> dam would be significant. Without the dam, water availability is insufficient for flood <br /> irrigation. The Division agrees with the Seneca Property's assessment of water availability <br /> in Sage Creek and finds that the area has no potential for successful irrigation. <br /> Based on information presented for Yoast PRI, the Seneca 11 West permit application <br /> package and the Division's Findings for the Seneca 11 West permit that identify this area as <br /> an AVF, the Division finds the field in Section 30 meets the regulatory definition of an <br /> alluvial valley floor because it may be sub-irrigated. However, only a minor portion of the <br /> alluvial valley floor is sub-irrigated, according to Exhibit 16-3. Furthermore, the field is <br /> seven miles downstream from the nearest discharge point for potential spoil springs. <br /> Therefore, the potential for material damage to the quality of water supplying ground <br /> water to the alluvial valley floor is insignificant. <br /> The Division finds that activities proposed by Seneca Property, LLC will not interrupt, <br /> discontinue or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floor in Section 30 that may be <br /> naturally sub-irrigated(4.24.3(I) 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 that would provide water to the field in <br /> Section 30 (4.24.3(3) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)). <br /> The proposed activities will comply with the requirements 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 has been installed, maintained, and operated by the <br /> permittee on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation <br /> operations and will continue until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3. <br /> 28 <br />