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Current Permit Map 17-Land Use <br />The map shows several fields designated Cropland both immediately upstream and downstream <br />of Gossard Loadout along Wilson Creek. Also, upstream on Wilson Creek, the map shows <br />Pasturelands extending along the creek from the approximate center of Section 7, for a <br />considerable distance north to the approximate center of SE1/4 of Section 32. The nature of the <br />cropland and pastureland fields (crop type, dryland, flood irrigated, or subirrigated) is not <br />specified. <br />Summary Assessment and Recommendations <br />Map 10 will need to be updated to ensure it accurately reflects the current extent of <br />unconsolidated streamlaid deposits, as well as areas that were historically or are <br />presently flood irrigated, including points of diversion and associated irrigation structures. <br />Any current areas of developed subirrigated cropland or pastureland should also be <br />delineated. Mapping should be extended downstream along Wilson Creek to its <br />confluence with Milk Creek. The stream segment affected by the 1985 erosion and mass <br />wasting event should be clearly delineated. Please refer to mapping specifications of <br />Rule 2.06.8(3)(b)(i),(ii), and (iii). <br />Map 17 will also need to be updated to accurately depict the current location of cropland, <br />pastureland, and undeveloped rangeland. Dryland, subirrigated, and flood irrigated <br />pastureland and cropland areas should be separately delineated and identified. <br />3. Narrative in Section 2.06.8 of the application should be updated to reflect current <br />conditions, and the results of further investigation associated with the Lower Wilson <br />permit revision. Narrative will need to accurately reflect the current site conditions and <br />will need to be consistent with amended Maps 10 and 17. <br />4. The alluvial deposits along Wilson Creek constitute an AVF because there are enough <br />unconsolidated stream-laid deposits and sufficient water yield to be beneficial for crop <br />irrigation. <br />This excerpt is from the Division's AVF Findings for Wilson Creek. In order for the <br />Division to determine that the segment of the Wilson Creek valley in Area 2 of the Walsh <br />letter does not meet AVF criteria, appropriate information and documentation will need to <br />be provided within the revision application to demonstrate that there are not enough <br />unconsolidated stream-laid deposits or sufficient water yield to be beneficial for crop <br />irrigation. <br />The stream entrenchment and resultant water table lowering would seem to have <br />precluded the possibility for subirrigated agricultural activity along the stream segment in <br />Area 2. However, information in the permit and findings indicates that flood irrigated <br />agriculture was the dominant or only form of irrigation practiced along Wilson Creek, <br />(possibly within the segment in question), and apparently there may still be flood irrigation <br />agriculture upstream and downstream from the Area 2 segment. <br />As such, it would seem that the applicant will need to demonstrate that the Area 2 <br />segment no longer contains a sufficient areal extent of streamlaid deposits to support <br />flood irrigation and farming, based on typical regional practices. Assessment of the <br />extent of irrigated agriculture along similarly entrenched valley segments in the general <br />area, consideration of the 1985 OSM Reconnaissance Report and Maps, and <br />consultation with local NRCS officials and landowners regarding the potential for Flood <br />irrigated agriculture along the remnant terraces of the Area 2 segment, would appear to <br />be warranted. <br />