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<br />n~...4"'" <br />- - '.-uU~~-:,;j <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />PRIME AND UNIQUE FARMLANDS <br /> <br />Affected Environment: <br />There are no prime or unique farmlands within the proposed SRMA boundary. Naturally or <br />artificially irrigated lands that are "cropped regularly" are considered state important farmlands <br />and are of local importance. Within the SRMA, there are privately owned hay meadows that are <br />considered of local importance. . Acquired parcels, such as the Thompson property, that support <br />irrigated lands are also included. <br /> <br />Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action: <br />Management Prescription #1 (Boundary Adjustment): There would be no impact to any prime or <br />unique farmlands. Intensively managing for recreation could reduce the acres of state important <br />fannJands. <br /> <br />Management Prescription #2 (Identifying Land Use Priorities): There would be no impact to any <br />prime or unique farmlands. Intensively managing for recreation could reduce the acres of state <br />important farmlands. Future acquisition of private lands within the SRMA could also reduce the <br />acres of state important fannlands. This would be evaluated in any future land exchange or <br />acquisition environmental documents. <br /> <br />Management Prescription #3 and #4 (NSO for oil and gas leasing, Land/Mineral Withdrawal): <br />There would be no impact to any prime or unique farmlands, or state important farmlands by <br />either of these management prescriptions. <br /> <br />SOILS <br />(Colorildo Stand:lrds for Public Lmd Health. Standiird #1) <br /> <br />Affected Environment: <br />Soils in the proposed SRMA are described in the RMP. Within the proposed SRMA a few <br />parcels are identified as soil priority areas in the 1984 RMP. These soils are all formed from <br />Pierre shales, which are a marine shale, and have higher salt contents, poor vegetative cover, and <br />steeper slopes. The soils were designated within the RMP as having soil erosion problems and <br />that reducing soil loss is the priority for these lands. These areas are not immediately adjacent to <br />the river. The rest of the proposed SRMA corridor is considered to be meeting standard #1 due <br />to the lack of identified problems or concerns. <br /> <br />Environmental Consequences of P~oposed Action: <br />Management Prescription #1 (Boundary Adjustment): Expanding the SRMA would not directly <br />impact soil resources or their ability to meet standard # 1. Increased recreational use (with or <br />without any boundary adjustment) can increase soil loss and affect the ability of an area to meet <br />standard # I. The proposed SRMA contains arid uplands that naturally have sparse amounts of <br />soil protection, and expose erodible soils when disturbed. Existing and future developed <br />recreation sites help concentrate uses to appropriate areas that have best management practices, <br />but off site use would occur to some degree. <br /> <br />Management Prescription #2 (Identifying Land Use Priorities): The proposed action would <br />identify the majority of the SRMA as a recreation priority. The management prescription for the <br /> <br />14 <br />