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agronomic crops. Soil pH ranged from 6.8 -7.9, within the ideal agronomic range. For <br />classification purposes the soils would be described as slightly to moderately alkaline <br />(USDA_NRCS). <br />Soil Salinity. Soil salinity is the amount of soluble salts in a soil, and is measured by the <br />electrical conductivity (EC) of the saturated paste extract. The salinity of a soil is important <br />because high salt levels make it difficult for plants to obtain water (Bohn, et al., 1985). Saline <br />soils are conventionally defined as having EC values of greater than 4.0 mmhos /cm , however <br />sensitive plants can be affected at 2.0 mmhos /cm and highly tolerant plants are productive at EC <br />levels greater than 8.0 mmhos/cm. EC analytical results were generally <4.0 mmhos/cm in both <br />soil test pit sampled. EC analytical results were generally <4.0 mmhos/cm except for the mid - <br />profile of TP -0 1 and TP -05. <br />Soil Sodici1y. Sodic soils are "nonsaline soils containing sufficient exchangeable sodium to <br />adversely affect crop production and soil structure" (Soil Science Society of America, 2001). <br />High levels of sodium tend to disperse soil particles thereby sealing the soil. The result can <br />produce hard surface crusts, reduced infiltration rates, and reduced oxygen diffusion rates, all of <br />which interfere with or prevent plant growth. By definition, sodic soils are those that have an <br />exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of more than 15, an EC less than 4 mmhos/cm, and a pH <br />between 8.5 and 10 (U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff, 1954). ESP concentrations are all less than <br />2.0 and pH less than 8.5 in all samples tested, even in those samples with EC greater than 4 <br />mmhos /cm. <br />4.0 Soil Boundary and Map Unit Determinations <br />Although New Horizon Mine has not been able to discuss the mapping with the original soil <br />scientist who described many of the soil test pits located on the Morgan Property, New Horizon <br />Mine has identified Mr. Jim Irvine (author of the Intermountain Resources Inventory report) as a <br />million acre soil mapper for the NRCS. As such New Horizon Mine believes that Mr. Irvine has <br />a true understanding of soil nomenclature and produced nomenclature based on visual evidence. <br />Therefore the nomenclature used is deemed accurate and as such must be used without prejudice <br />since the native soils are no longer present for review. Soil sample analysis results for all soil test <br />pits sampled within the Morgan Property are presented in Table 1 and Table 2. <br />4.1. Soil Series Determinations <br />The 36 soil test pits conducted by the various soil scientists were compiled and classified based <br />on the available data. Utilizing the classifications and review of official soil series descriptions it <br />was determined that seven soil series exist on the Morgan Property. In some instances soil <br />chemical and physical data was not collected for some named series. In these instances the soil <br />description logs were exclusively used to match soil series. The seven soil series include the <br />Avalon, Barx, Bowdish, Mivida, Progresso, Travessilla, and an unnamed Aquic Haplocalcids. <br />Morgan Property Soil Survey Page 13 <br />