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downslope from the disturbed area to be degraded as a result ofpercolation <br />of lower quality water from the coal storage piles and sediment pond. The <br />potential for material damage is considered to be negligible and is further <br />discussed in an upcoming section on Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors. <br />b. Surface Water Effects and Mitigation <br />Drainage and sediment control measures implemented by the applicant aze <br />sufficient to ensure that the quality of water downstream from the site is <br />not impacted. The only impact on water quantity is the consumptive use of <br />approximately 6 acre-feet per yeaz. <br />The Terror Creek Loadout withdraws water from two sources. Water for <br />dust suppression is supplied by senior water rights from the Deer Trail <br />Ditch. The ditch withdraws water from Hubbard Creek. Use averages <br />5,000 gallons per day (5.6 acre-feet/yeaz). Previously, this water was used <br />to irrigate orchazds where the Loadout is now located. A domestic well <br />which supplies about 450 gallons per day (0.5 acre-feet/yeaz) is used for <br />domestic use at the Loadout office and bathhouse. Terror Creek's <br />consumption amounts to 0.002% of the North Fork's mean annual yield at <br />Somerset. This amountofconsumptionisconsideredbytheDivisiontobe <br />insignificant. <br />Upon fmal reclamation, the essential hydrologic functions of the site will <br />be restored. The essential hydrologic function which must be restored <br />within the affected azea is the capability of the site to support flood <br />irrigated agricultural production levels compazable to pre-disturbance <br />levels. The major components of the reclamation plan which will ensure <br />that this essential hydrologic function is restored are the following: <br />Regrading of the Loadout pad and diversion structures to <br />approximate original contour so as to allow for distribution of <br />irrigation water as was practiced prior to disturbance. <br />Scazification and ripping of the regraded slope so as to relieve <br />compaction and allow for root penetration and aeration. <br />Replacement of a sufficient depth of a plant growth medium so <br />as to provide for a water holding capacity within the rooting <br />zone that will support irrigated agricultural productivity <br />comparable to pre-disturbance levels. <br />Soil physical data and analyses supplied by the applicant for topsoil, <br />subsoil and colluvium indicate that available water at field capacity would <br />vary from 3.41 inches to 4.81 inches within the identified rooting zone (44 <br />inch depth) in orchazd land immediately adjacent to the disturbed area. <br />The analyses indicate that the physical chazacteristics and water holding <br />15 <br />