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<br />tion). The applicant bases their contention on two considera- <br />tions: First, Bolton Ditch has not been used to divert water for <br />irrigation in five years (the last recorded use was July 1976). <br />Statements of nearby landowners indicate that the poor soil along <br />Bolton Draw precluded the successful growth of crops such as <br />hay. An unpublished SCS soil survey describes this soil (the <br />Spicerton series) as possessed of a moderate available water <br />capacity and as characterized by high salt content. Secondly, <br />Bolton Draw receives a significant portion of its water supply <br />during the summer months from Spear Ditch, which imports water <br />from the Michigan River and is currently being used to irrigate <br />an area at the very upstream reaches of Bolton Draw (Vol. 1, p. <br />110 of the permit application). <br />The arguments presented by the applicant are valid ones. <br />Balancing those however, are three other considerations. Bolton <br />Ditch was used for diversion purposes for at least 5 years <br />between 1972 and 1976, indicating that some successful irrigation <br />must have occurred (p.14, Willard Owens Report, Appendix C, Vol. <br />II of the permit application). Secondly, the stockpond existing <br />upstream of the subirrigated area indicates that water can <br />potentially be stored in Bolton Draw for irrigation purposes. <br />Finally, acknowledging the fact that a significant amount of <br />water for irrigation has been imported from the Michigan River <br />basin, the regional inventory conducted by Kerr Coal Company <br />indicates that several other streams in the North Park area are <br />used to irrigate acreages similar to those along Bolton Draw. <br />Therefore, it appears that the possibility for flood irrigation <br />along Bolton Draw cannot be entirely dismissed. This factor, in <br />combination with the other identified AVF characteristics, <br />supports the conclusion that the segment of Bolton Draw between <br />the stockpond (Sec. 2 and 11, T.8N, R.78W.) and the Canadian <br />River is an alluvial valley floor (see Exhibit 2, Addendum I of <br />the permit application). As such, potential impacts from mining <br />will be monitored in order to protect this resource. <br />_gg_ <br />