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The Division has sufficient information to determine the absence of <br />alluvial valley floors in Stove and Buniger Canyons. Sideslopes in the <br />canyons are excessively steep (16 to 50X) and are deeply incised. The <br />potential for extensive deposits of unconsolitdated alluvium is <br />minimal. Further, because these drainages encompass less drainage area <br />than that of Munger Canyon, it is likely that there is insufficient <br />surface water runoff to sustain agricultural activities. The fact that <br />both streams are ephemeral indicates a low potential for subirrigation <br />by springs or seeps. Inspection of 7.5 minute topographic maps also <br />indicates that there is no irrigation along any stream courses in these <br />drainages. <br />The water quality in Stove Canyon and Buniger Canyon will not be <br />effected by mining since there are no surface disturbances planned in <br />these drainages. The quantity of water in these drainages may be <br />affected to a limited extent if surface waters are diverted into the <br />mine workings through natural or mining-induced fractures. Slopes of <br />the natural surface in the affected drainages range from 2v:lh to <br />6v:lh. On such high angle slopes, rainfall incidental to the surface <br />would have a greater tendency to flow over the surface than to <br />infiltrate into any mine workings. <br />The area of Stove and Buniger Canyons which would potentially be <br />affected by subsidence over mine workings for this permit term is <br />approximately 185 acres. The Big Salt Wash drainage basin encompasses <br />31,448 acres above the confluence with Stove Canyon. Approximately <br />0.67. of the drainage area of Big Salt Wash could be effected by the <br />operation in this worst-case scenario. This fact indicates that there <br />is very little potential for any effect on the quality of water in Big <br />Salt Wash as a result of this operation. <br />It is apparent from this discussion that the potential for diminution <br />of quantity and quality of water supplied to the Big Salt Wash <br />potential alluvial valley floor would be minimal. The Division finds <br />that there will be essentially no effect of the operation on the <br />hydrologic character of the Big Salt Wash drainage system. <br />Salt Creek Mining Company has established surface water monitoring <br />stations upstream and downstream of the confluence of Munger and East <br />Salt Creeks. Additionally, Salt Creek Mining Company will monitor mine <br />inflows, mine discharges, ground water downgradient of the waste rock <br />pile, coal processing waste pile and central facilities area, and <br />ground water in the alluvium of East Salt Creek. The monitoring system <br />established by Salt Creek Mining Company will be sufficient to verify <br />conclusions of the Division with respect to the effect of the operation <br />on water quality and quantity and will indicate if any problems arise <br />which may require mitigation. <br />Therefore, pursuant to 2.06.8(5)(iii>, the Division finds the proposed <br />operation will not materially damage the quantity and quality of water <br />in surface and ground water systems that supply alluvial valley floors <br />or portions of alluvial valley floors. <br />-47- <br />