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• -2- e upstream and downstream of the proposed mining operation. Fish Creek, therefore, apparently has sufficient water available to support flood irrigation. Fish Creek is, therefore, found to be an alluvial valley floor because of both flood irrigation and subirrigation capabilities. No informaiton has been provided concerning the significance of the alluvial valley floor to farming. This does not present a problem, the Division can proceed by making all three alluvial valley floor findings for the Fish Creek AVF. Since no mining activities would take place within or beneath the alluvial valley floor, a finding that mining operations would not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the AVF could be made. The applicant has been requested to expand his assessment of probable hydrologic consequences to examine possible effects on the quantity and quality of flow in the Fish Creek stream/alluvial aquifer systems. Once a satisfactory assessment is received, the Division can proceed to make a material damage finding. Additional adequacy concerns may arise at that time. The finding that the essential hydrologic functions would be restored or preserved is closely linked to the material damage finding. Since there is no physical disturbance within the AVF itself, if there is no material damage to the surface and ground water that supply the AVF, the essential hydrologic functions would be preserved. May 6 (Twentymile Park Hydrology) of the Eckman Park permit application identifies several areas of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits along Foidel Creek. Some of these areas lie upstream of the proposed Foidel Creek Mine and would not be affected by the proposed mining operation. Therefore, no alluvial valley floor determination will be made for those areas that lie upstream of the USGS-bJRD gaging station near Pinnacle Peak. Three other areas lie adjacent to or downstream from the proposed mining operation. The first lies in an area immediately adjacent to the proposed operation and the existing surface mining operations. The second area occurs downstream in sections 21, 22, and 28, and the third area is located at the confluence of Foidel Creek and P1iddle Creek. The applicant has provided sufficient information for a preliminary alluvial valley floor determination for the first area.. No information has been provided for the availability of water for the lower areas. The Division could write findings for these areas if necessary by assuming that the second and third areas are alluvial valley floors. 1 Creek (Area Adjacent to the Pro osed Und ce Mine Map 6 of the Eckman Park permit application identifies unconsolidated streamlaid deposits along Foidel Creek in sections 28, 29, 31, and 32 (T5N, R86W). The applicant has not identified any historic or existing flood irrigation in this area of Foidel Creek. Flood irrigation was historically practiced in areas several miles upstream of the potential AVF, but was discontinued for reasons of poor water availability.