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2.0 METHODOLOGY <br />The soil resources of the project study area were investigated during May 2010 by Jim <br />Nyenhuis, Certified Professional Soil Scientist/Soil Classifier (ARCPACS 2743), with 30 <br />years of experience conducting detailed soil surveys for mining projects in the Western <br />United States. The soils study was designed in accordance with the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS) Rule 2.04.9 (Soils Resource Information) of the <br />Colorado Revised Rules and Regulations (9/14/05). Standard soil survey methods were <br />used throughout the soils resource assessment. Soils mapping, description, classification, <br />and sampling were conducted in accordance with the standards and procedures of the <br />National Cooperative Soil Survey (Soil Survey Staff, 1993 and 1999; and Schoeneberger <br />et. al., 2002). Because the DRMSdoes not have a detailed guideline with specifications for <br />conducting a baseline soil resource assessment, reference is made to the current <br />Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) Guideline No.1 "Topsoil and <br />Overburden" (WDEQ, 1996). <br />The soils scope -of -work was similar to that for the previously completed CAM -Colorado <br />Red Cliff Mine soil survey, as discussed with Mr. Dan Mathews (DRMS) in early April, <br />2006.Mr. Mathews had written: "An Order I or II survey intensity will be required for all <br />potentially disturbed surface areas for mapping purposes." (Mathews, 2006a). This is <br />consistent with specifications of WDEQ Guideline No.1, as described on pages 2 and 3 of <br />that guideline, which further states that nonaffected areas be mapped less intensively to <br />the Order III level (WDEQ, 1996). <br />All major soils on proposed affected areas were fully described and sampled for laboratory <br />analysis a minimum of one time each. Backhoe pits were dug to at least 8 feet deep to <br />best expose and sample the soils. The dominant soil, Cameo fine sandy loam, was <br />described and sampled at three representative locations. Based on previous experience <br />with similar coal mineprojects in Colorado and other western states, this sampling intensity <br />is consistent with previous recommendations for proposed affected area disturbances. <br />The amount of additional soil sampling, beyond the minimum, is left to the professional <br />judgement of the certified soil scientist. For the approximate 50 -acre project area, a total of <br />6 representative soil sites were sampled by major horizons and subhorizons for laboratory <br />characterization. A total of 27 soil samples were collected from the 6 sample sites. The <br />sample sites were numbered MC1 through MC6 in the field but were later changed to <br />MC21 through MC26 due to some previous sampling already using those numbers. <br />The soil samples were delivered to Inter -Mountain Laboratories, Inc.(IML) in Sheridan, <br />Wyoming, for standard soils analysis. The laboratory analysis included the following <br />parameters: pH; saturation percent; electrical conductivity (EC); calcium (Ca), magnesium <br />(Mg), and sodium (Na) (saturated paste extract, meq/L); calculation of sodium adsorption <br />ratio (SAR); organic matter percent (Walkley-Black method); soil texture (percent sand, silt, <br />and clay), and Selenium (Se) and Boron (B) (hot-water soluble, ppm). Based on previous <br />conversation with Mr. Mathews, Selenium and Boron (ppm) were added to the laboratory <br />-2- <br />