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Alluvial Valley Floor Findings With Regard to Preserving Essential Hydrologic Functions The potential for any effect of surface water quality and quantity in East Salt Creek was previously discussed. Even though the potential for impact is minimal, Salt Creek Mining Company has established a monitoring network to verify these projections and to identify detrimental effects if they were to occur. This monitoring network is established to detect changes in surface and ground water within the alluvial valley floor. Upon termination of mining operations, all mine surface facilities will be removed, coal material will be disposed of, topsoil will be spread, all openings will be sealed and a stable, protective stand of vegetation will be established on the area. Therefore, pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(iii), the Division finds that the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation will preserve, throughout the mining and reclamation process, the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. The Division has determined that an alluvial valley floor exists within the affected or adjacent area. Therefore, the following findings are in order for the alluvial valley floor known as East Salt Creek located in Township 7 South, Range 102 West of the 6th Principal Meridian Sections 21 and 29 of the permit area. The Division finds that activities proposed by the applicant will not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors that are irrigated or naturally subirrigated, except for small areas which may provide 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 (4.24.3(3) and 2.06.8(5>(a)(ii)). The proposed activities will comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations with respect to alluvial valley floors (2.06.8(5>(a>(iii)). The operator has obtained specific permit approval to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations within an alluvial valley floor (4.24.3(4>(b) and 2.06.8(5)(b)Ci)(8)). Therefore, the operations within a specific geographic area may continue despite their proximity to an alluvial valley floor. The specific geographic area has been delineated as East Salt Creek. Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside the permit area and to reestablish the essential -48-