2006-02-28_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1994082

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As a result of 1990 AVF investigations in the Sage Creek watershed, Seneca Coal Company concluded there aze no AVF's in this basin in hydrologic communication with the proposed Yoast Mine. Based on information submitted by the applicant, field reconnaissance, interviews with farmers, and previous findings by the Division and the applicant related to the Seneca U-West Mine, the Division does not concur with the applicant's conclusion. The Division concludes that two azeas along Sage Creek downstream from the Yoast permit azea meet the regulatory definition of alluvial valley floors. These areas are discussed below. Sage Creek Reservoir Site Two fields located just upstream from the former Sage Creek Reservoir dam (Sections 13 and 18) are identified in the Yoast application as subirrigated native wetlands and subirrigated grass hay. The native wetland azea is basically the area once covered by the reservoir, which failed in 1985. This area is currently used for grazing. The area immediately upstream from the former reservoir site is currently used as a grass hay field. These fields aze located in the upper reaches of Sage Creek, and therefore are not typical of alluvial valley floors in this azea with agricultural potential. However, the upper field (approximately 10 acres) is currently being farmed for hay, and the other larger field appeazs to have the potential to be put to use as a subirrigated hay field. Furthermore, during a site visit on May 19, 1995, the upper grass hay field was being flood irrigated by means of an imgation ditch along the eastern edge of the field. This was confirmed during the review of PR-1. Due to the existence of flood irrigation and the presence of subimgation of the unconsolidated streamlaid deposits in the fields immediately upstream from the old Sage Creek Reservoir, these fields aze determined to be alluvial valley floors. The field just above the breached Sage Creek dam is dissected by the streambed. This area is undeveloped rangeland that is currently used for grazing. The limited size of the field would make it difficult for farm equipment to operate. This field is not typical of agriculturally productive alluvial valley floors in this region. However, the upper field in Section 18, TSN R88W, is currently being farmed for hay. The creek was diverted from the center to the perimeter ofthe field and the creek bed was filled to create a manageable flood irrigated field. The field is ten acres and is flood irrigated during high flow. The family that manages the field does not have adjudicated water rights for the surface water in Sage Creek. They have an agreement for early runoff withdrawals, allowing limited flood irrigation until mid- June when stream flows decline to a level precluding further withdrawals. It is unlikely the Feld will be irrigated with water at the projected worst-case salinity levels, but SCC did provide an estimate of what the potential worst-case impacts to the agricultural operation would be. Yoast Mine 40 February 28, 2006