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feet below ground surface and no groundwater was encountered. No springs or <br />seeps have been identified along the colluvial deposit in the vicinity of the permit <br />area. <br />Because no further surface disturbance is proposed, there is no potential for <br />significant impacts to groundwater quantity in the area. There is a very slight <br />potential for quality of water in the alluvial aquifer immediately downslope from <br />the disturbed area to be degraded as a result of percolation of lower quality water <br />from the coal storage piles and sediment pond. The potential for material damage <br />is considered to be negligible and is further discussed in an upcoming section on <br />Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors. <br />b. Surface Water Effects and Mitigation <br />Drainage and sediment control measures implemented by the applicant are <br />sufficient to ensure that the quality of water downstream from the site is not <br />impacted. The only impact on water quantity is the consumptive use of <br />approximately 6 acre-feet per year. <br />The Terror Creek Loadout withdraws water from two sources. Water for dust <br />suppression is supplied by senior water rights from the Deer Trail Ditch. The <br />ditch withdraws water from Hubbard Creek. Use averages 5,000 gallons per day <br />(5.6 acre-feet/year). Previously, this water was used to irrigate orchards where the <br />loadout is now located. A domestic well which supplies about 450 gallons per day <br />(0.5 acre-feet/year) is used for domestic use at the loadout office and bathhouse. <br />Terror Creek's consumption amounts to 0.002% of the North Fork's mean annual <br />yield at Somerset. This amount of consumption is considered by the Division to <br />be insignificant. <br />Upon final reclamation, the essential hydrologic functions of the site will be <br />restored. The essential hydrologic function which must be restored within the <br />affected area is the capability of the site to support flood irrigated agricultural <br />production levels comparable to pre-disturbance levels. The major components of <br />the reclamation plan which will ensure that this essential hydrologic function is <br />restored are the following: <br />Regrading of the loadout pad and diversion structures to approximate <br />original contour so as to allow for distribution of irrigation water as <br />was practiced prior to disturbance. <br />Scarification and ripping of the regraded slope so as to relieve <br />compaction and allow for root penetration and aeration. <br />Replacement of a sufficient depth of a plant growth medium so as to <br />provide for a water holding capacity within the rooting zone that will <br />support irrigated agricultural productivity comparable to <br />pre-disturbance levels. <br />Soil physical data and analyses supplied by the applicant for topsoil, subsoil and <br />colluvium indicate that available water at field capacity would vary from 3.41 <br />inches to 4.81 inches within the identified rooting zone (44 inch depth) in orchard <br />land immediately adjacent to the disturbed area. The analyses indicate that the <br />14