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-zo- Map 17 of the permit application shows that current Land use along Wilson Creek AVF is cropland, pasture, and undeveloped rangeland. The crop produced on the irrigated cropland, located about 'f mile north of the permit area, is native hay. All other cropland shown on Map 17 is unirrigated dryland wheat. The productivity of the irrigated native hay crop averages 3 tons per acre per year, indicating probable enhancement by irrigation practices. Based upon information presented by the applicant and the Division's investigation, the Division makes the following finding. pursuant to Rule 2.06.8 (5)(a)(i)(A)(III) the.Division finds that surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve, throughout the mining and reclamation process, the essential hydrologic functions of the alluvial valley floor. As discussed previously in this section in reference to Good Spring Creek, the temporary decrease in runoff from the mined area projected in the application would be insignificant with resp~t to the quantity of water supplied to the Wilson Creek alluvial valley floor. Because the mining disturbance limits do not occur within the Wilson Creek AVF boundaries, no direct impacts resulting from physical disruption of alluvial or clr3nnel materials will occur. The only disturbance occurring in .the vicinity ofthe Wilson Creek AVF is the Gossard Loadout (see~Afap_~10). The Ioaadout is-locat~-near -the confiuence-.of Wi3~son anc~ Taylor Creeks. There is a slight potential for water quality degradation to occur in the alluvial materials near the loadout. This potential is considered insignificant and is further discussed below. First, the small amount of percolation water that would infiltrate if it were degraded in quality, would probably be rapidly diluted by the existing water in the systsn. Second, the irrigates croplands are located about 4,000 feet from the Gossard Loadout. This should be a sufficient distance for any degraded water to reach acceptable levels through dilution. Also, Taylor Creek converges with Wilson Creek within this distance. This provides even greater amounts of dilution water available before any water is diverted for irrigation. Third, the potential impact will only be short-term in duration. Once mining operations are completed, the coal stockpile and sediment pond will be reclaimed and the potential for water quality degradation will cease to exist. The above discussion id entifi~ the only potential impact which could occur in the Wilson Creek AVF. The impact is not considered substantial enough to warrant changes in the mine and reclamation plan. The monitoring plan is designed to ensure that the essential hydrologic functions are maintained.