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3.4. 2011 Key- Ag/NRCS Soil Survey <br />On October 23, 2011 five soil test pits were excavated and described at undisturbed locations <br />within the Morgan Property (Figure 6). The undisturbed area of the Morgan Property leased by <br />Western Fuels is approximately 11 acres. Therefore, the number and distribution of soil profile <br />description pits and other observations made in the field is approximately equivalent to the <br />requirements for an NRCS Order 1 soil survey on this undisturbed area. The soil test pits were <br />described according to National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) standards (Soil Survey <br />Division Staff, 1993). The following qualified soil scientist professionals were present during <br />field data collection: <br />• Mr. Aaron DeJoia, CPSS, Principal Soil Scientist, Key Agricultural Services, Inc; <br />• Dr. Andrew Harley, Associate Soil Scientist, Key Agricultural Services, Inc; <br />• Mr. Steve Park, Colorado State Soil Scientist for NRCS; <br />• Mr. Charles Peacock, Regional NRCS Soil Scientist, Grand Junction, Colorado. <br />Soil test pits were excavated to an approximate depth of 60 inches using a backhoe. The exposed <br />soil profile was described in accordance with standard NRCS field methods (Soil Survey <br />Division Staff, 1993). Descriptions of the test pits are presented in Appendix C. <br />Soil morphology was similar within each of the pits and the soils generally resembled a Barx soil <br />series: <br />• A surface, predominantly sandy loam Ap horizon to depths up to 4 inches below <br />grade; <br />• A Bt and Btk horizon was described to depths of 60 inches. Textures consisted of <br />sandy clay loam, sandy loam and sandy clay; <br />• Weathered bedrock was observed at the very bottom of several of the test pits. <br />Laboratory Data <br />Soils from the test pits were sampled and analyzed for selected parameters. Laboratory results <br />are summarized in Tables 1 to 2 and are discussed below. The original soil laboratory results are <br />provided in Appendix D <br />Soil textures were predominately sandy loam to sandy clay loams (Table 1). Coarse fragments <br />( >2mm) were <1 % with the exception of the bottom of TP03, confirming the deep nature of the <br />soils. <br />Soil chemical results are presented in Table 2: <br />Soil pH. pH is perhaps the most important chemical characteristic of the soil and indicates <br />acidity of the soil. Soil pH serves as a general index to the availability of plant nutrients, <br />potential toxicity problems, and sodic soil conditions. A soil pH of 6.5 to 8.0 is ideal for most <br />Morgan Property Soil Survey Page 11 <br />