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less affected by mine discharge than irrigation using surface waters. A conservative estimate <br />of the expected effect of mining indicates that no material damage would result. <br />AVF Findines <br />The Division has determined that an alluvial valley floor exists within the affected or <br />adjacent area. Therefore, the following findings aze in order for the alluvial valley floors <br />known as Fish Creek, Grassy Creek and Little Grassy Creek. <br />Fish Creek; <br />The Division finds that activities proposed by the applicant will not interrupt, discontinue, or <br />preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that are irrigated or naturally sub-irrigated. <br />(4.24.3(1)). <br />The proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the <br />surface or ground water system described above. (4.24.3(3) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)). <br />The proposed activities will comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations <br />with respect to alluvial valley floors. (2.06.8(5)(a)(iii)). <br />Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential <br />hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit area and to reestablish the <br />essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the affected azea throughout the <br />mining and reclamation process. (4.24.2). <br />An environmental monitoring system for alluvial valley floors has been installed, maintained, <br />and operated by the permittee during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and will <br />be continued until all bonds aze released in accordance with Rule 3. (4.24.4). <br />Grassy Creek and Little Grassy Creek; <br />The proposed activities will comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations <br />with respect to alluvial valley floors (2.06.8(5)(a)(iii)). <br />The operation produced coal in commercial quantities and was located within or adjacent to <br />an alluvial valley floor prior to August 3, 1977 (4.2.3(4)(a) and 2.06.8(5)(b)(I)(A)). <br />XIV. Operations of Prime Farmland <br />The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmlands within <br />the permit area. This decision was based on the evidence provided by the Soil Conservation <br />Service that there aze no prime farmland mapping units within the proposed permit area. <br />This evidence can be found in Volume 7, Tab 9, Attachment 9-1. <br />39 <br />