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3. Alluvial Valley Floor Findings Prior to approval fora permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations at Mine No. 3, the Division is required to make specific written findings on the effects of these operations on all alluvial valley floors within the proposed permit and adjacent areas. The required findings are presented below. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)(A)(I), the Division finds that the proposed surface coal mining operations would not interrupt, discontinue, or preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors. No mining activities would take place within or beneath any alluvial valley floors, except at the Middle Creek Office Complex, which was constructed adjacent to Middle Creek in 1978 (see Map 6, Mine Plan). Drainage from this 1.5 acre area is controlled and passed through a gravel filter before it discharges to Middle Creek. A small area exemption for sediment control structures has been granted for this area by the Division (ML RD letter to CYCC, dated December 15,.1983), due to the small size of the affected area and the negligible potential for disruption of the agricultural productivity of the alluvial valley floor. Pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)(A)(II), the Division finds that the proposed surface coal mining operation would not materially damage the quantity or quality of surface or ground water systems that supply the alluvial valley floors. There is a potential for water quality degradation of alluvial and surface waters draining the area due to discharge from the detention basins and leaching of soluble salts from the backfilled mine pits. However, the projected change in water quality due to discharge from the detention basins is not expected to prevent the use of the water for irrigation. Also, no discharge of spoils water from the backfilled mine pits to the stream/alluvial system is expected to occur as a result of mining operations. For additional information and analysis of mining impacts on AVF's, see the discussion of "Probable Hydrologic Consequences" in Section III of this document. Pursuant to Rule 4.24.2(1) and (2), the Division finds that the proposed surface coal mining operations would reestablish or preserve, throughout the mining operation, the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the affected area. The essential hydrologic functions are identified as the capacity to support both flood irrigated and subirrigated agricultural activities. The only disturbed area within the alluvial valley floor is the Middle Creek Mine Office Complex, as discussed above. A reclamation plan identifying topsoil redistribution and re vegetation of this area has been included in the permit application. This section is in compliance. -37-