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9.9 acres of juniper woodland does not lie within the AVF, the <br />applicant calculated that disturbance of this area would result in a <br />loss in production of 4.57 animal units. This amounts to a 0.6% loss <br />of production during mining. Data and calculations are contained in <br />Volume VI, page 4-8. <br />Therefore, pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(1), the Division finds that the <br />proposed surface facilities affect a small area of the alluvial valley <br />floor which provides negligible support for production of the farming <br />unit. <br />With respect to Stove and Buniger Canyons, the unnamed tributary to <br />East Salt Creek and Big Salt Wash, there is no potential for the <br />interruption, discontinuance, or preclusion of farming on an alluvial <br />valley floor. No underground development will pass beneath an alluvial <br />valley floor, nor will any surface disturbance occur in any of these <br />areas. <br />Therefore, pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(1), the Division finds that the <br />proposed surface coal mining operations will not interrupt, discontinue <br />or preclude farming on an alluvial valley floor. <br />Alluvial Valley Floor Findings with Regard to Material Damage to Water <br />Quality and Quantity <br />As mentioned previously, the Munger Mine will be developed into <br />portions of four drainage basins. The surface disturbance will occur <br />only within Munger Canyon and East Salt Creek. The greatest potential <br />for diminution of water quality and quantity would be attributable to <br />the area of surface disturbance. <br />The surface disturbance in Munger Canyon proposed in the initial <br />five-year permit will be comprised of the mine bench, the waste <br />disposal pile and haul roads leading to the portal area. These <br />disturbances will affect approximately 35 acres. The surface <br />disturbance along and adjacent to East Salt Creek consists of the <br />Central facilities area, coal processing waste pile, conveyor system <br />and interconnecting access road which will increase the disturbed area <br />to 122 acres. <br />With respect to surface water quality, a portion of the operation is <br />required to be contained within a sedimentation system. Runoff from <br />the mine bench, central facilities area and the two waste disposal <br />piles will be routed through sediment ponds. These areas present the <br />greatest potential for affecting water quality because of the exposure <br />of subsurface materials and the high level of activity associated with <br />these areas. <br />Total suspended sediment concentrations will be minimized by passing <br />water from disturbed areas through sediment ponds which are designed to <br />remove and contain suspended solids. Total dissolved solids <br />concentrations will slightly increase as a result of runoff from the <br />disturbed areas. In all probability, the runoff from most storm <br />events will not result in discharge from the ponds and, therefore, will <br />-45- <br />