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<br />the applicant demonstrates, through testing related to the production of <br />crops grown in the locality, that the proposed operations will not cause <br />increases that will result in crop yield decreases. <br />Section 785.19 (e) Continued. <br />(iii) For types of vegetation not listed in Maas and Hoffman as speci- <br />fied by the regulatory authority, based upon consideration of observed <br />correlation between total disssolved solid concentrations in water and <br />crop yield declines, taking into account the accuracy of the correla- <br />tions. <br />(iv) Potential increases in the average depth to water saturated zones <br />(during the growing season) located within the root zone of the alluvial <br />valley floor that would reduce the amount of sub irrigation land compared <br />to pre-mining conditions; and <br />• (v) Potential decreases in surface flows that would reduce the amount <br />of irrigable land compared to pre-mining conditions; and <br />(vi) Potential changes in 'the sux•face or ground water systems that <br />reduce the area available to agriculture as a result of flooding or <br />increased saturation of the root zone. <br />(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, a farm is one or more land <br />units on which agricultural activities are conducted. A farm is generally <br />considered to be the combination of land units with acreage and boundaries <br />in existence prior to August 3, 1977, or, if established after August 3, <br />1977, with those boundaries based on enhancement of the farm's agricul- <br />tur•al productivity and not related to surface coal mining operations. <br />The field investigation described in 30 CFR 785.19 (c) resulted in <br />no identification of alluvial valley floors in the general area <br />which could be affected by mining operations. Therefore, no impact <br />• on alluvial valley floors will occur as a result of mining operations. <br />785-24 <br />