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<br />described in this application. Therefore, this azea will not be considered further. <br />Areas of unconsolidated streamlaid deposits along Foidel Creek and <br />Middle Creek that are located geographically adjacent to surface facilities areas <br />and proposed mining and reclamation operations could potentially be affected. <br />The applicant's discussion of probable hydrologic consequences indicates that <br />dischazge from the mine detention basins is expected to increase the dissolved <br />salt load of streams draining the permit azea. Since water from the Foidel Creek <br />and Middle Creek stream alluvial systems drains to the lower reach of Trout <br />Creek, these three areas must be considered in the alluvial valley floor <br />determination. <br />2. Alluvial Valley Floor Determination <br />Map No. 8 of the permit application shows that the capability for flood ircigation <br />exists within and adjacent to the permit azea. Specifically, the Lieske, Connel <br />and Homestead Ditch systems, which derive their water from Trout, Middle and <br />Foidel Creeks, aze currently used, or have been historically used to irrigate these <br />floodplains. <br />In order to evaluate the potential for subirsigation within the proposed permit <br />and adjacent azea, the applicant conducted a study on subirsigation capability in <br />the floodplains of Foidel and Middle Creeks. Based on this study, the applicant <br />found that subirsigation does not occur along lower Foidel or Middle Creek. <br />The study was conducted in October, 1980. The Division does not feel that the <br />study is representative of the entire growing season. Therefore, the results of <br />this study reported in the permit application aze not sufficient for the Division to <br />conclude that subirsigation does not occur during a major portion of the growing <br />season. <br />Based on available information, the unconsolidated streamlaid deposits of Lower <br />Foidel, Middle and Trout Creeks are found to be alluvial valley floors because <br />of the current or historical existence of flood irsigation and the presumed <br />capability of these areas to support subirsigation during a portion of the growing <br />season. <br />3. Alluvial Valley Floor Findings <br />Prior to approval for a permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation <br />operations at Mine No. 3, the Division is required to make specific written <br />findings on the effects of these operations on all alluvial valley floors within the <br />proposed permit and adjacent areas. The required findings aze presented below. <br />a. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)(A)(I), the Division finds that the proposed <br />surface coal mining operations would not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude <br />farming on the alluvial valley floors. No mining activities would take place <br />within or beneath any alluvial valley floors, except at the.Middle Creek <br />Office Complex, which was constructed adjacent to Middle Creek in 1978 <br />20 <br />