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until mid-June when stream flows decline to a level precluding further <br />withdrawals. It is unlikely the field will be irrigated with water at the projected <br />worst-case salinity levels, but SCC did provide an estimate of what the potential <br />worst-case impacts to 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 smallest 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 <br />production of 20 tons/year. The maximum annual production from the total <br />ranching operation is 150 tons. The field in Section 18 provides 13% of the total <br />productivity. The estimated worst-case loss in productivity is 2.8% as shown on <br />Table 17-17a of the permit application. Crop reductions were based on the <br />formula presented in the Material Damage Assessment Process Pertaining to <br />Alluvial Valley Floors, Surface Water, Ground Water and Subsidence at Coal <br />Mines (January, 1988). As referenced in this document, less than a 3% reduction <br />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 <br />are irrigated or naturally subirrigated. The field in Section 13 is undeveloped <br />rangeland, which is not significant to farming, and the field in Section 18 provides <br />negligible support for the farm's agricultural production. (4.24.3(1) and <br />2.06.8(5)(a)(i)). <br />The proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in <br />the surface or ground water system described above, because the lands are of such <br />small acreage as to be of negligible impact on the farm's agricultural production. <br />(4.24.3(3) and 2.06.8(5)(a)(ii)). <br />The proposed activities will comply with the requirement of the Act and the <br />regulations with respect to alluvial valley floors (2.06.8(5)(a)(iii)). <br />Surface coal mining and reclamation operations will be conducted to preserve the <br />essential hydrologic functions of alluvial floors outside the permit area. (4.24.2) <br />An environmental monitoring system was installed, maintained, and operated by the <br />permittee on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation <br />operations and will continued until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3. <br />Yoast Mine 39 December 15, 2010