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C~ _IZ_ C~ This teach of Foidel CreeK is determined to be an alluvial valley floor because of the capability for flood irrigation. PaLta of the valley bottom may also be subirrigated. No information has been provided concerning the significance of the alluvial valley floor to farming. The Division can proceed by assuming the area is significant and make all three alluvial valley floor findings for this AVF. 1. Surface facilities for the existing surface mining operation are currently located on and adjacent to the alluvial valley floor. As long as no additional surface disturbance occurs within the alluvial valley floor, there would be no problem in making a finding that the mining operations would not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the AVF. 2. The finding that no material damage to the surface water and ground water that supply the AVF must wait until after receipt of the revised assessment of probable hydrologic consequences. The only potential problem might result from the discharge of effluent to the Foidel Creek system. 3. The finding that the essential hydrologic functions would be preserved of restored should be no problem as long as no additional facilities ate located within the AVF. If any of the existing surface facilities ate located within the boundaries of the AVF, the applicant should provide a discussion of how the essential hydcolooic functions would be restored following the removal of those facilities. Whether or not any additional AVF monitoring (beyond the normal hydrologic monitoring) is needed for either the Fish Creek AVF of Foidel Creek AVF, will be determined after reviewing the applicant s revised discussion of the probable hydrologic consequences of the proposed mining operation. The Division is concerned that the information provided in tha Foidel Creek mine permit application is limited to the study area established for the Eckman Pack Mine. Although that area encompassed all the affected areas associated with the surface operation, it may not be sufficient for the proposed underground mine. The discharge of mine water and spoil water from the dewaterinq well to the Foidel Creek drainage could potentially effect flow in the downstream reaches of Middle Creek and Trout Creek. The applicant must either justify the extent of the current AVF study area by showing no potential for effects outside of this area or expand the AVF study area to include potentially affected downstream reaches along Foidel Creek, Fish Creek, Middle Creek, and Trout Creek.