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Surface Water Effects and Mitigation <br />Drainage and sediment control measures implemented by the <br />applicant are sufficient to ensure that the quality of water <br />downstream from the site is not impacted. The only impact <br />on water quantity is the consumptive use of approximately 6 <br />acre-feet per year. <br />The Terror Creek Loadout withdraws water from two sources. <br />water for dust suppression is supplied by senior water <br />rights from the Deertrail Ditch. The ditch withdraws water <br />from Hubbard Creek. Use averages 5,000 gallons per day (5 .6 <br />acre-feet/year). Previously, this water was used to <br />irrigate orchards where the loadout ie now located. A <br />domestic well which supplies about 450 gallons per day (0.5 <br />acre-feet/year) is used for domestic use at the loadout <br />office and bathhouse. Terror Creek's consumption amounts to <br />0.002 of the North Fork's mean annual yield at Somerset. <br />This amount of consumption ie considered by the Division to <br />be insignificant. <br />Upon final reclamation, the essential hydrologic functions <br />of the site will be restored. The essential hydrologic <br />function which must be restored within the affected area is <br />the capability of the site to support flood irrigated agri- <br />cultural production levels comparable to pre-disturbance <br />levels. The major components of the reclamation plan which <br />will ensure that this essential hydrologic function is <br />restored are the following: <br />Regrading of the loadout pad and diversion <br />structures to approximate original contour so as to <br />allow for distribution of irrigation water as was <br />practiced prior to disturbance. <br />Scarification and ripping of the regraded slope so <br />as to relieve compaction and allow for root <br />penetration and aeration. <br />Replacement of a sufficient depth of a plant growth <br />medium so as to provide for a water holding <br />capacity within the rooting zone that will support <br />irrigated agricultural productivity comparable to <br />pre-disturbance levels. <br />Soil physical data and analyses supplied by the applicant <br />for topsoil, subsoil and colluvium indicate that available <br />water at field capacity would vary from 3.41 inches to 4.81 <br />inches within the identified rooting zone (44 inch depth) in <br />orchard land immediately adjacent to the disturbed area. <br />The analyses indicate that the physical characteristics and <br />water holding capacity for the colluvial deposit are con- <br />sistent throughout its entire depth. Thus mixing of the <br />material as a result of construction and reclamation would <br />not reduce water-holding capacity. <br />The replacement of 10 inches of topsoil rather than the 13- <br />inch depth which existed prior to disturbance will reduce <br />the amount of water stored within the rooting zone by <br />approximately .33 inches. However, the reconstructed root <br />zone (10 inches of soil and 34 inches of colluvium) would <br />hold 3.51 inches of water at field capacity, which is <br />comparable to orchard soils adjacent to the permit area. <br />Terror Creek Loadout Page 13 <br />