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i i <br />SKM Response: <br />This question need not be answered since there was some confusion <br />as to where the proposed slot storage is located with respect to <br />flood-irrigated land and the Vulcan Ditch. The slot storage site <br />is planned for an area above the Vulcan Ditch and therefore above <br />any flood-irrigated land. <br />MLR Comment: <br />"5) The applicant states that approximately 600 acre-feet <br />will be used consumptively by the mining operation each year. <br />This water is planned to be taken from the Vulcan Ditch which <br />is used to irrigate the AVF in the facilities area. <br />Furthermore, it is stated in the application that the <br />apparent irrigation application rate is 10 to 12 acre-feet <br />per acre per year. As presently stated, the Division cannot <br />find that the proposed operation will not affect the quantity <br />of water supplying the AVF since as much as 50 percent of the <br />water supply will be removed. However, it is apparent that <br />10 to 12 acre-feet per acre is an excessive rate of <br />application. The applicant must submit an estimate of the <br />amount of water actually required to be be applied to the <br />irrigated portion of the AVF in order to maintain production <br />levels. The application must then commit to supplying that <br />amount of water at all times except when the Vulcan Ditch is <br />flowing at an amount greater than is required. This means <br />that irrigation of the AVF must take precedence over the <br />mining operation needs." <br />SKri Response: <br />After submittal of the detailed AVF section of the permit <br />application, the reason for the apparent excessive application <br />rates of 10 to 12 acre-feet per acre was discovered. Apparently, <br />a second ditch, which is located downstream of the diversion <br />point, diverts excess water back to the stream. Diversion <br />measurements provided in Table 5.2-2 are correct, however, the <br />amount of water reaching the flood-irrigated portion of the farm <br />is significantly less. Unfortunately, the ranch lessee has not <br />maintained records of this water. <br />Based on several sources, a more reasonable application rate is <br />on the order of 2 to 4 acre-feet per acre. At this rate, 230 to <br />460 acre-feet are required to flood-irrigate the 115 acres. <br />Based on an average of the historical diversions, 940 to 1170 <br />acre-feet would remain after flood-irrigation. Regardless, Storm <br />Ring commits to supplying the amount of water required for <br />flood-irrigation at all times. The farm's water requirements <br />