2008-05-01_REVISION - M1973007SG (5)

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SOILS INFORMATION be found that were similar to the soils that would be expected. The expected soils would be of the same type as those found to the north on the other side of the Fountain Mutual Ditch. For the most part the soils contain a far greater clay and si t component than is normally found in these sandy soils. This clay and silt was deposited as sediment in the reservoir. Nevertheless, there is still a moderately strong sand and very fine gravel component in some of the soils,but this is mixed to several feet with the clay and silt that filtered down into the native soils. This infiltration occurred as a result of water draining downward into the underlying sand deposit. However, it is highly likely that after this fine material seeped down a few feet into the sands the bottom of the reservoir became partially sealed and thus infiltration reduced. The depth of this fine material varies considerably over the entire site, but is generally deeper toward the center of the former reservoir site. Around the perimeter of the reservoir, especially on the east and south sides, the soils have been less disturbed physically and have developed a more natural character that supports a diverse community of grasses, shrubs and trees. All of the areas where this natural character exists are outside the affected land area and therefore will not be disturbed by the mining of the sand. On the west side of the reservoir old, rather high berms exist that perhaps came from excavations and cleanings from the reservoir. Or perhaps these were scooped up to create a higher elevation berm around the lower margins of the reservoir when it was first established. These features also exist around the south side of the reservoir. The berms on the west side are within the affected and mining area and therefore will be removed in the process of mining the sand deposit. These materials could be used as a growth medium, even though it is hardly a natural soil. As much of this material as possible will be saved and stockpiled east of the mining area but within the affected land. The relationship between the soils and the vegetation is an interesting one. Around the perimeter of the primary reservoir basin, as noted above, the vegetation is moderately natural and dominated by grasses. Locally stands of shrubs and trees are also found. In some areas,particularly in deeper basins,wetland vegetation is quite strong, especially where the ground water is exposed. All of these areas are outside the affected land. Within the affected land and mining area, however, the vegetation is very different. Although there are local areas where the grasses are moderately strong, for the most part the site is dominated by annual weeds. These weeds, in a wet year, are often very robust. It appears that the grasses are slowly gaining a stronger presence, but the clayey and silty soil definitely favors the growth of the weeds. It is also likely that the soil has a rather high nitrogen content. This would be expected in an area where there was a reservoir filled with water primarily derived from Fountain Creek via the Fountain Mutual Ditch. That water probably had a rather high nitrogen content and that high nitrogen was simply transferred and accumulated in the reservoir. The combination of a sandy or silty clay loam soil derived from the reservoir sediment plus the input of nitrates from the water used to fill the reservoir undoubtedly created a very rich growth environment. Typically, these environments, once invaded by annual weeds, maintain themselves in this condition sometimes for decades. Very slowly Daniels Sand Pit#2 Amendment (2008) Exhibit I Page 7 of 8