2013-10-02_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (3)

Home Browse Search

RULE 2 PERMITS Detailed Order II Soil Survey Methods -Soils field work was conducted in accordance with the procedures and standards of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (Soil Survey Staff, 1993 and 1999; and Schoeneberger et.al., 2002). The soil resources were investigated by James Nyenhuis, Certified Professional Soil Scientist, during the summer of 2005. Previous soils inventory of the Lower Wilson mining area were at the less detailed Order III level and without soil sampling. The current survey was at the detailed Order II level of intensity, and included observation of soil profiles, collection and laboratory analysis of soil samples, and mapping of soils within the Lower Wilson mining area and North Haul Road area. Soil map unit boundaries were delineated in the field based on observations of soil profiles using a sharpshooter shovel and bucket auger, deep backhoe pits, and recent road cuts, as well as surface conditions, physiography and landscape position, geology, vegetation, and slope gradient and aspect. Recent, high quality, natural color photobase maps with contour overlay at a scale of I"=500', supplied by Colowyo, were used during the soils mapping. The photobase map was subsequently digitized into AutoCAD. Area determinations of all polygons were completed and sorted by map unit symbol, and then totaled for use in determining acreages of each soil type and percent of total area. These areas and total acreages will be used to complete the topsoil volume calculations once a mine plan is developed for the area. Following soils mapping, representative locations were selected for sampling to most accurately represent the mapped soil series and to provide for adequate sample site distribution across the survey area. Representative profiles were selected on the basis of medial characteristics for physical and chemical soil parameters, parent material, landscape position, and vegetation. Standard "232" soil profile description forms were completed at each sample site. Twenty deep backhoe pits were dug across the Lower Wilson project area. They were sequentially numbered and their locations are plotted on Map SC. Soils at all twenty locations were fully described and eleven profiles were sampled for Laboratory analysis. • SouN Taylor/Lower Wilson -Rule 2, Page 54 Revision Date: 11/30/06 Revision No.: PR-02