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return flow from the irrigation of the upland area. Site inspections confirm that water <br /> used for irrigation is obtained from the San Miguel River and no flood irrigation water is <br /> obtained from Tuttle Draw or Calamity Draw. <br /> An irrigation ditch does cross the northern part of the Nucla Mine permit area. The ditch <br /> is not disturbed by mining nor does the ditch receive any water from the mine area. No <br /> principal irrigation ditches cross the proposed Nucla East mining area. <br /> In regard to the agricultural water quality standards, the San Miguel River water <br /> delivered by the irrigation ditches is more suitable for irrigation purposes than the <br /> waters in Tuttle or Calamity Draw. The agricultural suitability (National Academy of <br /> Sciences, 1972) of surface water in Calamity and Tuttle Draws falls within the category of <br /> water that can only be used for salt tolerant plants on permeable soils with careful <br /> management practices (TDS from 2,000 to 5,000 mg/1). Using the same classification <br /> system, water supplied by the West Lateral irrigation ditch (San Miguel River) (TDS 500 <br /> mg/1) will have no detrimental effects on plants. Waters of Tuttle and Calamity Draws <br /> have commonly exceeded the manganese and pH agricultural standards. <br /> Since the early part of this century, it has been a regional practice to obtain water for <br /> irrigation from the San Miguel River. Because of the incised nature of the stream <br /> channel, it is impossible to flood irrigate from either Tuttle or Calamity Draw. From <br /> field reconnaissance investigations, it has also been determined that water pumpage from <br /> these draws for irrigation purposes is not occurring. <br /> Subirrigation. A small amount of subirrigation does occur along the Tuttle and Calamity <br /> Draw stream channels. Much of the alluvial ground water along these draws is a result of <br /> seepage from the irrigation ditches. In many areas where the subirrigation occurs, the <br /> vegetation and soil quickly dry up when the ditch is turned off from October to April. <br /> The subirrigation along Tuttle or Calamity Draw is not considered extensive enough to <br /> support agricultural development. <br /> Conclusion. The CMLRD concluded in its Decision and Findings of Compliance Document <br /> (1983) that no alluvial valley floors exist in either the Nucla permit area or the <br /> potentially affected area (Tuttle Draw) associated with the Nucla Mine. Peabody <br /> concludes, based on the following criteria, that no alluvial valley floors exist along the <br /> potentially affected area of Calamity Draw associated with the Nucla East mining area. <br /> 16-13 Revised 04/11/88 <br />