GENERAL35863 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

VII. Alluvial Valley Floors - Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 Sufficient information was provided by the applicant to determine that the East Salt Creek valley is an alluvial valley floor. Unconsolidated alluvial deposits have been identified which are extensive enough to qualify as alluvial valley floors. The existence of agricultural activities in the vicinity of the operation is evidence of the potential for irrigation. Alluvial Valley Floor Findings With Regard to Farming- Physical disturbances created by the operation which will directly impact the alluvial valley floor are road construction and a sedimentation pond. The road construction attributable to the operation consists of widening of an existing ranch road leading to the portal area. The sedimentation pond has been constructed at the mouth of McClane Canyon within the area mapped as unconsolidated alluvial deposits. As stated on page 4-4 (Volume 1) of the application, the total disturbance of the AVF related to the road expansion and construction of the sediment pond is approximately one acre. The total area of alluvial valley floor within a one-half mile radius of the confluence of McClane Canyon and East Salt Creek (as mapped by the applicant) is approximately 145 acres. Approximately seven-tenths of one percent of the AVF contained within this area will be affected by the surface disturbance related to the operation. No farming activities will be physically affected by these surface impacts. The only land use type which will be directly affected is rangeland. The conclusion is, therefore, that the surface disturbance related to the operation is limited in extent and will not directly affect any farming activities on the alluvial valley floor. An area of irrigated cropland is located on the East Salt Creek alluvial valley floor approximately one-half mile downstream of McClane Canyon. Irrigation occurs through a series of diversion ditches carrying the surface flow to various parts of the field. The essential hydrologic functions for this portion of the alluvial floors are related to surface flow. Surface water and ground water quality and quantity will be monitored during the permit term as specified earlier in this document. The monitoring program is designed to identify any effects which may occur as a result of the mining operation. No adverse effects are anticipated and the monitoring program should provide proof of this contention. Salt Creek Mining Company has also agreed to secure annual production data from the farmer downstream of the operation. This production data is to be considered as secondary to the water monitoring program because fluctuations in annual production can also result from factors which are independent of the mining operation. -13-