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<br />Michael G. Altavilla <br />Seneca Coal Company <br />Page 4 <br />Apri123, 1999 <br /> <br />~ ~~ ~~ <br />projected impacts for the irrigated areas that receive water from this ditch (depicted on Plate <br />2 of Tab l6). <br />According to the report in Attachment 16-1, several fields were irrigated by the Sage Creek <br />Reservoir Outlet Ditch. The irrigated fields were approximately: I58 acres of alfalfa, 32.4 <br />acres of pasture, and 232.3 acres of wheat (50 acres of alfalfa and 32.4 acres of pasture could <br />be irrigated by the Dry Creek Ditch). For the current iaigated areas, provide data on the <br />acreage being irrigated, the crops being grown, the crop productivity and potential yield <br />decreases. <br />10. Response accepted. <br />11. No further response is necessary. This item is addressed in Item 7 above. <br />12. SCC has done a cottunendable job at establishing baseline hydrologic monitoring data for the <br />Yoast Mine. However, it appears that adequate baseline data were not collected for well <br />YOV29. This well was first sampled once in August of 1998. Seasonal quantity and quality <br />of water are required for establishing baseline information. Prior to commencing the <br />proposed annual sampling schedule for this well, the Division recommends obtaining another <br />sample from this well during the spring (May or June). <br />]3. The existing permit document indicates that water quality monitoring will commence two <br />years prior to mining in the Sage Creek basin. With the exception of wells YSAL3 and YSAL <br />12, it appears that sampling of all other wells located in the Sage Creek basin recommenced <br />in August of ]998. Will SCC be able to obtain two years of monitoring data prior to mining <br />in the Sage Creek basin? Please provide a proposed plan for accomplishing this. <br />4.03.1 Haul Roads <br />14. SCC proposes to construct road segments that exceed a 10 percent grade for more than 300 <br />feet within any consecutive 1,000 feet. This proposal exceeds the design criteria of Rule <br />4.03.1(3). Rule 4.03.1(1)(e) allows for an alternative to the design criteria and specifications. <br />A variance may be granted if the operator demonstrates that such alternatives will result in a <br />design that is as environmentally sound as those resulting from haul roads complying with the <br />requirements of 4.03.1(3). This requires a thorough analytical demonstration by a qualified <br />registered professional engineer and appropriate engineering tests must establish compliance <br />with a minimum static safety factor of 1.3. To ensure compliance, please provide the <br />referenced analytical demonstration and appropriate geotechnical investigation, which <br />includes a determination of the static safety factor for those road segments that exceed a 10 <br />percent grade for more than 300 feet within any consecutive 1,000 feet. <br />