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-26- The water quality in Stove Canyon and Buniger Canyon will not be effected by mining since there are no surface disturbances planned in these drainages. The quantity of water in these drainages may be affected to a limited extent if surface waters are diverted into the mine workings through natural or mining-induced fractures. Slopes of the natural surface in the affected drainages range from 2v:lh to 6v:lh. On such high angle slopes, rainfall incidental to the surface would have a greater tendency to flow over the surface than to infiltrate into any mine workings. The area of Stove and Buniger Canyons which would potentially be affected by subsidence over mine workings for this permit term is approximately 185 acres. The Big Salt Wash drainage basin encompasses 31,448 acres above the confluence with Stove Canyon. Approximately .6 percent of the drainage area of Big Salt Wash could be effected by the operation in this worst-case scenario. This fact indicates that there is very little potential for any effect on the quality of water in Big Salt Wash as a result of this operation. It is apparent from this discussion that the potential for diminution of quantity and quality of water supplied to the Big Salt Wash potential alluvial valley floor would be minimal. The Division finds that there will be essentially no effect of the operation on the hydrologic character of the Big Salt Wash drainage system. Salt Creek Mining Company has established surface water monitoring stations upstream and downstream of the confluence of Munger and East Salt Creeks. Additionally, Salt Creek Mining Company will monitor mine inflows, mine discharges, ground water downgradient of the waste rock pile, coal processing waste pile and central facilities area, and ground water in the alluvium of East Salt Creek. The monitoring system established by Salt Creek Mining Company will be sufficient to verify conclusions of the Division with respect to the effect of the operation on water quality and quantity and will indicate if any problems arise which may require mitigation. Therefore, pursuant to 2.06.8(5) (iii), the Division finds the proposed operation will not materially damage the quantity and quality of water in surface and ground water systems that supply alluvial valley floors or portions of alluvial valley floors. Alluvial Valley Floor Findings With Regard to Preserving Essential Hydrologic Functions The potential for any effect of surface water quality and quantity in East Salt Creek was previously discussed. Even though the potential for impact is minimal, Salt Creek Mining Company has established a monitoring network to verify these projections and to identify detrimental effects if they were to occur. This monitoring network is established to detect changes in surface and ground water within the alluvial valley floor.