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Mr. Eldon St rid -3- February `l, 1983 <br />If the applicant, based on available information, is in agreement with <br />the Division's opinion, the requirements of Rules z.06.8(4)(a)(ii) <br />through 2.U6.8(4)(a)(v), and Rules 2.06.8(4)(b) II, V, and VI should be <br />addressed. <br />Given the small size and nature of the coal loadout and its location on <br />what appears to be an alluvial terrace, significant hydrologic impacts <br />would not be anticipated. There is no potential for the quantity or <br />quality water supplied to the alluvial valley floor via the Fire Mountain <br />Canal to be affected. Irrigation water will be diverted around the <br />disturbance and disturbed flows will be routed ihr°ougfr a sediment pond <br />prior to discharge. <br />The three findings that the Division will be required to make with regard <br />to the AVF are: <br />1. The operation would not interrupt, discontinue or preclude <br />farming ...unless the affected area is small and provides <br />negligible support for production of one or more farms. <br />[. The operation would not materially damage the. quantity and <br />quality of water in surface and yround water systems that <br />supply alluvial valley floors outside the permit area. <br />3. The essential hydrolggic functions of the alluvial valley <br />floor would be restored. <br />Since a portion of irrigated orchard has been destroyed by construction <br />of the loadout facility, the finding that the operation would not <br />inten•upt agriculture cannot be made unless the applicant can demonstrate <br />that the portion of the orchard affected was "small and provided... <br />negligible support for production of one or more farms." Rule 2.06.8(b) <br />defines farm as "one or more ayricultural land units with acreage and <br />boundaries in existence prior to August 3, 1977." <br />Restoration of the agricultural productivity of the affected area upon <br />final reclamation wall 'oe dependent on reestablishing the original slope <br />gradient, and the chemical ano physical properties (particularly vrater <br />holding capacity) of the plant growth medium. The amount of topsoil <br />available for reclamation should be specified in the application and <br />potential effect of m;xing the subsoil with underlyiny alluvial cobbles <br />and gravels on water holding capacity and tree yrowti~ and production <br />should be assessed. <br />If you have any questions, plaase call. <br />Sincerely, <br />Dan Mathews <br />keclaruation Spec;alist <br />pM:ys <br />Doc. No. 7]8 <br />