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There is a slight potential for water quality degradation to occur <br />in the alluvial aquifer immediately down gradient of the loadout <br />pad as a result of percolation of degraded water through the <br />colluvium. This potential is considered insignificant for the <br />following reasons. First, the small amount of degraded percolation <br />water that would infiltrate would be rapidly diluted by existing <br />water in the system. The amount of percolation water would be <br />minimized by the small size of the contributing drainage area (less <br />than 15 acres) and the fact that the compacted surface of the pad <br />will favor runoff over infiltration. Once operations are <br />completed, the coal stockpile and sediment pond will be reclaimed <br />and the potential for water quality degradation will cease. <br />Pursuant to Rules 4.24.2(1) and (2 ), the Division finds that <br />surface coal mining and reclamation operations would be conducted <br />to preserve, throughout the mining and reclamation process, the <br />essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors not within <br />the affected area, and would be conducted to reestablish the' <br />essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor within <br />the affected area. <br />As stated previously, operations are not expected to materially <br />damage the quantity and quality of surface and ground water that <br />supply the alluvial valley floor downstream from the permit area. <br />Pond discharge sampling, as specified in Section V of this <br />document, will be implemented to document the assumptions of this <br />finding. Operations, as presented in the application, will not <br />interfere with or preclude irrigation of those portions of the AVF <br />not within the affected area. Appropriate culverts and ditches <br />have been provided for, where necessary. <br />/es <br />9102E <br />_21_ <br />