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2.04.9 Soils Resource Information <br />(1) The baseline soils report is located in Exhibit 7 in Volume <br />a. The soils report contains descriptions, sampling and analysis in <br />sufficient detail to determine the horizons suitable for salvage. <br />b. Soils analyses for representative samples of each soil horizon for each <br />soil type are located in the baseline soils report. <br />C. See Map 6 for the location of soil samples, test pits and soil boundaries. <br />The soil sample locations show soil salvage depths and the horizons <br />which the Applicant proposes to salvage within each portion of the <br />permit area. <br />d. A narrative and tables which address the suitability of each major soil <br />horizon as plant growth media are presented in the baseline soils report. <br />e. A discussion of potential productivity of the soils is obtained from the <br />NRCS Soil Survey of Grand Junction Area, Colorado. <br />Map Unit Bi, Billings silty clay loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes. The vegetation <br />is dominated by greasewood. This soil, locally called heavy adobe, occurs <br />well toward the Colorado River. It is on alluvial materials, that largely <br />came from Mancos shale. About 75% of this soil is cultivated. Most of the <br />rest is affected by salts. Small grains, beans, sugar beets and alfalfa are <br />the chief crops. Tilth and workability are not good, because the soil has a <br />fine texture and a low content of organic matter. Moreover, some fields <br />contain areas 20 to 60 feet across that have excessive amounts of salts. <br />Slick spots also occur. These salty areas and slick spots produce low or <br />negligible yields of most crops and are extremely difficult to eliminate. <br />The following table lists the average acre yields over a period of years <br />from irrigated crops with a high level of management on the Billings <br />silty clay loam soil type: <br />Permit Application 2.04 -33 04/11 <br />