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adjacent to an AVF, this exemption will continue to apply to those areas of PSC that <br /> were transferred from the Seneca II Mine. The exemption does not apply to areas in the <br /> PSC where underground mining activities are conducted because PSC underground <br /> mining activities occurred after August 3, 1977, the exemption qualification date of <br /> Rule 2.06.8(5)(b)(ii)(B). <br /> During the review of the original PSC application, the Division conducted field visits <br /> along the segments of the following streams that were within the area of influence of <br /> PSC's mining during the initial permit term: Scotchman's Gulch, Annand Draw, and <br /> Grassy and Little Grassy Creeks upstream from their previously determined AVFs. Of <br /> these stream segments, only Scotchman's Gulch near its confluence with Grassy Creek <br /> appears to have the geomorphic characteristics of an AVF (unconsolidated stream-laid <br /> deposits holding streams). Annand Draw and the upper reaches of Scotchman's Gulch <br /> lack unconsolidated stream-laid deposits sufficient to hold a stream, and therefore these <br /> stream segments do not meet the criteria of an AVF. Grassy Creek and Little Grassy <br /> Creek, upstream from their two previously determined AVFs, lack farmable acreage <br /> next to their channels as a result of the channels' incisement into bedrock; therefore, <br /> these upper reaches of Grassy and Little Grassy Creeks are determined to not be AVFs. <br /> Although Scotchman's Gulch has unconsolidated stream-laid deposits sufficient to hold <br /> a stream,the Gulch does not meet the criteria of an AVF based on insufficient water for <br /> irrigation use and lack of subirrigation characteristics,as documented in Exhibit 2.06.8- <br /> El of the PAP; therefore, Scotchman's Gulch near its confluence with Grassy Creek is <br /> determined to not be an AVF. <br /> Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the <br /> essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit area and to <br /> reestablish the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the <br /> affected area throughout the mining and reclamation process (4.24.2). <br /> Effect of Mining on Identified Alluvial Valley Floors <br /> The PSC will discharge mine disturbance runoff, coal spoil leachate, and underground <br /> mine water into the stream channel in the Grassy Creek AVF via pond 002. Pond 004 <br /> collects runoff from Phase III released areas within the permit boundary as well as water <br /> from two long term spoil springs. These springs are sampled and regulated through the <br /> PSC NPDES permit. Pond 004, a permanent Phase III released pond discharges into the <br /> stream channel in the Fish Creek AVF. Pond The runoff and leachate can be expected to <br /> be alkaline,with the chemical constituents of greatest concern being dissolved solids, <br /> mainly salts of sulfate. PSC proposes no new disturbances or discharges in the Little <br /> Grassy Creek AVF; therefore, there is no potential for material damage to this AVF. <br /> No changes are proposed for the Pond 004 watershed during PSC mining; therefore, <br /> the Division's evaluation of that watershed as described in the findings document for <br /> the Seneca II Mine is applicable to the PSC mine. Pond 004 was part of the approved <br /> Page 25 of 27 <br />