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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)(11)). <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)(111)). Surface coal mining and <br /> reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of <br /> alluvial floors outside the permit area (4.24.2). <br /> An environmental monitoring system was 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 /> 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. The reservoir does not <br /> currently impound water because the dam is breached. The field was converted to dryland <br /> alfalfa. Water availability for irrigation is marginal. The creek typically dries up in July <br /> or August. Without the dam, water availability is insufficient for flood irrigation. The <br /> Division agrees with the Seneca Property's assessment of water availability in Sage Creek <br /> and finds that the area has no potential for successful irrigation. <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(1) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(1)). <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)(11)). <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)(111)). <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 /> 19 <br />