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field (approximately 10 acres) is currently being farmed for hay, and the other larger <br /> field appears to have the potential to be put to use as a subirrigated hay field. <br /> Furthermore, during a site visit on May 19, 1995, the upper grass hay field was being <br /> flood irrigated by means of an irrigation ditch along the eastern edge of the field. This <br /> was confirmed during the review of PR-1. Due to the existence of flood irrigation and <br /> the presence of subirrigation of the unconsolidated streamlaid deposits in the fields <br /> immediately upstream from the old Sage Creek Reservoir, these fields are determined <br /> to be alluvial valley floors. <br /> The field just above the breached Sage Creek dam is dissected by the stream bed. <br /> This area is undeveloped rangeland that is currently used for grazing. The limited <br /> size of the field would make it difficult for farm equipment to operate. This field <br /> is not typical of agriculturally productive alluvial valley floors in this region. <br /> However, the upper field in Section 18, T5N R88W, is currently being farmed for <br /> hay. The creek was diverted from the center to the perimeter of the field and the creek <br /> bed was filled to create a manageable flood irrigated field. The field is ten acres and <br /> is flood irrigated during high flow. The family that manages the field does not have <br /> adjudicated water rights for the surface water in Sage Creek. They have an <br /> agreement for early runoff withdrawals, allowing limited flood irrigation until mid- <br /> June when stream flows decline to a level precluding further withdrawals. It is <br /> unlikely the field will be irrigated with water at the projected worst case salinity <br /> levels, but SCC did provide an estimate of what the potential worst case impacts to <br /> the agricultural operation would be. <br /> Land management information and farm productivity values for the hayfield in <br /> Section 18 were provided. The field in Section 18 is the smaller of three fields <br /> managed by the Valora family as part of a limited sheep ranching operation. <br /> Dominant grass species in the field are Smooth Brome and bluegrass. It produces <br /> one hay cutting per year at a maximum rate of 2 tons/acre for a maximum production <br /> of 20 tons/year. The maximum annual production from the total ranching operation <br /> is 150 tons. The field in Section 18 provides 13% of the total productivity. The <br /> estimated worst case loss in productivity is 2.8% as shown on Table 17-17a of the <br /> permit application. Crop reductions were based on the formula presented in the <br /> Material Damage Assessment Process Pertaining to Alluvial Valley Floors, Surface <br /> Water, Ground Water and Subsidence at Coal Mines (January, 1988). As referenced <br /> in this document, less than a 3% reduction is considered insignificant. <br /> The Division finds that activities proposed by SCC will not interrupt, discontinue or <br /> preclude farming on the alluvial valley floors in the Sage Creek Reservoir Site that are <br /> irrigated or naturally subirrigated. The field in Section 13 is undeveloped rangeland <br /> which is not significant to farming and the field in Section 18 provides negligible <br /> support for the farm's agricultural production. (4.24.3(l) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(i)). <br /> Yoast Mine 37 October 19, 1999 <br />