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field (approximately 10 acres) is currently being farmed for hay, and the other larger <br />field appeazs to have the potential to be put to use as a subirrigated hay field. <br />Furthermore, during a site visit on May 19, 1995, the upper grass hay field was being <br />flood imgated by means of an irrigation ditch along the eastern edge of the field. This <br />was confirmed during the review of PR-1. Due to the existence of flood imgation and <br />the presence of subirrigation of the unconsolidated streamlaid deposits in the fields <br />immediately upstream from the old Sage Creek Reservoir, these fields are determined <br />to be alluvial valley floors. <br />The field just above the breached Sage Creek dam is dissected by the stream bed. <br />This area is undeveloped rangeland that is currently used for grazing. The limited <br />size of the field would make it difficult for farm equipment to operate. This field <br />is not typical of agriculturally productive alluvial valley floors in this region. <br />However, the upper field in Section 18, TSN R88W, is currently being farmed for <br />hay. The creek was diverted from the center to the perimeter of the field and [he creek <br />bed was filled to create a manageable flood irrigated field. The field is ten acres and <br />is flood irrigated during high flow. The family that manages [he field does not have <br />adjudicated water rights for the surface water in Sage Creek. They have an <br />agreement for early mnoff withdrawals, allowing limited flood imgation until mid- <br />June when stream bows decline to a level precluding further withdrawals. It is <br />unlikely the field will be irrigated with water at the projected worst case salinity <br />levels, but SCC did provide an estimate of what the potential worst case impacts to <br />the agricultural operation would be. <br />Land management information and farm productivity values for the hayfield in <br />Section 18 were provided. The field in Section 18 is the smaller of three fields <br />managed by the Valora family as part of a limited sheep ranching operation. <br />Dominant grass species in the field are Smooth Brome and bluegrass. It produces <br />one hay cutting per year at a maximum rate of 2 tons/acre for a maximum production <br />of 20 tons/year. The maximum annual production from the total ranching operation <br />is 150 tons. The field in Section 18 provides 13% of the total productivity. The <br />estimated worst case loss in productivity is 2.8% as shown on Table 17-17a of the <br />permit application. Crop reductions were based on the formula presented in the <br />Material Damage Assessment Process Pertaining to Alluvial Valley Floors, Surface <br />Water, Ground Water and Subsidence a[ Coal Mines (January, 1988). As referenced <br />in this document, less than a 3% reduction is considered insignificant. <br />The Division finds that activities proposed by SCC will not interrupt, discontinue or <br />preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors in the Sage Creek Reservoir Site that are <br />irrigated or naturally subimgated. The field in Section 13 is undeveloped rangeland <br />which is not significant to farming and the field in Section l8 provides negligible <br />support for the farm's agricultural production. (4.24.3(1) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)). <br />Yoaci Mint 37 March 6. ?001 <br />