2006-02-28_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1994082

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Land management information and farm productivity values for the hayfield in Section 18 were provided. The field in Section 18 is the smallest of three fields managed by the Valora family as part of a limited sheep ranching operation. Dominant grass species in the field are Smooth Brome and bluegrass. It produces one hay cutting per year at a maximum rate of 2 tons/acre for a maximum production of 20 tons/yeaz. The maximum annual production from the total ranching operation is 150 tons. The field in Section 18 provides 13% of the total productivity. The estimated worst-case loss in productivity is 2.8% as shown on Table 17-17a of the permit application. Crop reductions were based on the formula presented in the Material Damage Assessment Process Pertaining to Alluvial Valley Floors, Surface Water, Ground Water and Subsidence at Coal Mines (January, 1988). As referenced in this document, less than a 3% reduction is considered insignificant. The Division finds that activities proposed by SCC will not interrupt, discontinue or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors in the Sage Creek Reservoir Site that aze irrigated or naturally subirrigated. The field in Section 13 is undeveloped rangeland, which is not significant to farming, and the field in Section 18 provides negligible support for the farm's agricultural production. (4.24.3(1) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)). The proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the surface or ground water system described above, because the lands are of such small acreage as to be of negligible impact on the farm's agricultural production. (4.24.3(3) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)). The proposed activities will comply with the requirement of the Act and the regulations with respect to alluvial valley floors (2.06.8(5)(a)(iii)). Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial floors outside the permit area. (4.24.2) An environmental monitoring system will be installed, maintained, and operated by the permittee on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and continued until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3. Sage Creek "Flood Irrigated Alfalfa Fields" The Yoast application indicates the presence of approximately 86 acres of flood irrigated alfalfa hay along Sage Creek in Section 30. Five to ten acres of alfalfa were flood irrigated in this field from 1988-1992. The field was imgated by means ofpipes spreading water from a small reservoir neaz Sage Creek. The reservoir does not currently impound water because the dam is breached. The field was converted to dryland wheat for a number of reasons. Water availability for irrigation was mazginal, however, future restoration of the dam and flood irrigation of the field is a remote possibility. The creek typically dries up in Juty or August. Yoas[ Mine 41 February 28, 2006