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- 31 - <br />3) The proposed mining operation will not physically disturb the alluvial <br />valley floor. As discussed above, there will be no effects on the quantity <br />and quality of water supplied to the AVF. To verify that the proposed mining <br />operation will not materially damage the AVF, surface water will be monitored, <br />and ground water downgradient of the disturbed area will be monitored. The <br />Division finds that the proposed mining operations will be conducted to <br />preserve, throughout the mining and reclamation process, the essential <br />hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XI. Climatological Information and Air Resources - Rules 2.04.8, <br />Baseline information on climate and air quality in the area is presented in <br />the application in Volume I, pages 3-103 through 3-109. Air pollution control <br />measures are described on pages 4-79 through 4-80 in Volume I of the permit <br />application. <br />The climate in the area is semi-arid with moderate summers and long, cold <br />winters. The average annual precipitation in the general area is 16.23 <br />inches, most of which occurs in the fall and winter. The prevailing winds in <br />the mine site area are from the southeast with an average velocity of 5.3 mph. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirement of this section. <br />XII. Topsoil - Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(5), 2.05.4(2)(d), and 4.06 <br />Baseline soils information and the topsoil removal and redistribution plans in <br />Volume I, pages 3-109 to 3-123 and 4-65 to 4-68 and Volume II, Appendix 3.5-1 <br />were reviewed for compliance with the regulations. <br />Two soil types occur within the proposed disturbed area: the Heldt Silty clay <br />and the Nihil Stony loam. Average salvage depth for the Heldt Silty clay is <br />60 inches and 12 inches for the Nihill Stony loam. <br />Textures of these soils range form loam to silty clay. The soils have a low <br />electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR). Most of the <br />surface and subsurface soil horizons rate fair to good as a source of topsoil <br />material. <br />Topsoil will be salvaged from all areas proposed to be disturbed and placed in <br />topsoil stockpiles. The location of topsoil stockpiles are shown on map <br />3.5-1. Upon completion of backfilling and grading operations, topsoil will be <br />redistributed. Approximately 12 inches of topsoil will be replaced over the <br />entire disturbed area. This should be adequate to achieve reclamation since <br />the majority of the revegetation species have root systems which concentrate <br />within this or lesser depth, and the soils exhibit no properties that should <br />limit plant growth. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with topsoil requirements <br />