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-24- <br />With respect to Stove and Buniger Canyons, the unnamed tributary to East Salt <br />Creek and Big Salt Wash, there is no potential for the interruption, <br />discontinuance, or preclusion of farming on an alluvial valley floor. No <br />underground development will pass beneath an alluvial valley floor, nor will <br />any surface disturbance occur in any of these areas. <br />Therefore, pursuant to Rule 2.06.8(5) (i), the Division finds that the <br />proposed surface coal mining operations will not interrupt, discontinue or <br />preclude farming on an alluvial valley floor. <br />Alluvial Valley Floor Findings with Regard to Material Damage to Water Quality <br />and Quantity <br />As mentioned previously, the Munger Mine will be developed into portions of <br />four drainage basins. The surface disturbance will occur only within Munger <br />Canyon and East Salt Creek. The greatest potential for diminution of water <br />quality and quantity would be attributable to the area of surface disturbance. <br />The surface disturbance in Munger Canyon proposed in the initial five year <br />permit will be comprised of the mine bench, the waste disposal pile and haul <br />roads leading to the portal area. These disturbances will affect <br />approximately 35 acres. The surface disturbance along and adjacent to East <br />Salt Creek consists of the Central facilities area, coal processing waste <br />pile, conveyor system and interconnecting access road which will increase the <br />disturbed area to 122 acres. <br />With respect to surface water quality, a portion of the operation is required <br />to be contained within a sedimentation system. Runoff from the mine bench, <br />central facilities area and the two waste disposal piles will be routed <br />through sediment ponds. These areas present the greatest potential for <br />affecting water quality because of the exposure of subsurface materials and <br />the high level of activity associated with these areas. <br />Total suspended sediment concentrations will be minimized by passing water <br />from disturbed areas through sediment ponds which are designed to remove and <br />contain suspended solids. Total dissolved solids concentrations will slightly <br />increase as a result of runoff from the disturbed areas. In all probability, <br />the runoff from most storm events will not result in discharge from the ponds <br />and, therefore, will not affect the total dissolved solids concentration in <br />the receiving stream. <br />Tf a portion of the operation situated in Munger Canyon experienced a storm <br />requiring discharge from the ponds, the total dissolved solids concentration <br />would probably be diluted by water from undisturbed areas in the natural <br />channel. The disturbed area (35 acres) accounts for approximately <br />seven-tenths of a percent of the drainage area (5,085 acres) of Munger <br />Canyon. This relationship provides a rough estimate of the extent to which <br />dilution would occur. Furthermore, the disturbed area in Munger Canyon <br />