2017-02-03_PERMIT FILE - C1980004 (25)

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Because soil map unit symbols "A" through "F" were used on the recent, nearby "Red Cliff Coal Mine Baseline Soil Survey' (CAM — Colorado, 2006), the McClane Canyon Mine Expansion Area soil map unit symbols start with "H" and include "I" and "G", as well as "ESC" (East Salt Creek) and "DL" (Disturbed Land). Based on the detailed Order 1-2 soil survey, the project study area is characterized by the presence of three dominant soils — Cameo fine sandy loam (Map Unit H), Unnamed fine sandy loam (Map Unit 1), Loamy -skeletal Torriorthents (Map Unit G), and one soil inclusion, Cameo taxadjunct (inclusion in Map Unit H). Cameo fine sandy loam is the dominant soil on the project study area and is a very deep (>60 inches to bedrock), well drained, somewhat stratified coarse -loamy soil mapped on terraces of East Salt Creek and adjacent gently sloping alluvial fans. Loamy -skeletal Torriorthents are in complex with Rock Outcrop on the steep cliffs sideslopes on the east side of the project area and are well drained, variably textured, rocky soils that vary in depth from shallow (10 to 20 inches to bedrock) to very deep. Cameo taxadjunct fine sandy loam has more loam and sandy clay loam texture than typical for Cameo and slightly more soil development, in particular a "Bw" cambic subsoil horizon. Map Unit ESC is delineated on the incised East Salt Creek drainage channel bottomland and sidewalls which traverses along the west side of the project area, as well as in two side tributaries extending to the northeast. Map Unit DL (Disturbed Land) is delineated on a few existing disturbed areas associated with the current mining, as well as on the current access/haul road corridor. The McClane Canyon Mine Expansion Area Soils Map is attached to this report. It was compiled on a topographic base map with a 2 -foot contour overlayat a scale of about V= 200 feet. The boundary line for the soils study area (approximately 50 acres) and the proposed mine facility components are included on the map as well as all map unit delineation lines. All soil sample sites are numbered, were GPS located, and are plotted on the soils map. Table 1(List of Map Units and Affected Area Topsoil Salvage Summary) lists the soil map units within the project area, their soil sample location numbers, and summarizes their salvage depths and limitations to deeper salvage. Projected disturbance acreage for each map unit in the affected area, as well as estimated cubic yard volumes of recommended salvageable soil, are contained in the project reclamation plan.The following text is a description of the five map units in the project area and their component soils, as well as an evaluation of their topsoil suitability and recommended salvage depths.Results and discussion for the composited samples MC21 C and MC22C are also included. The map unit descriptions are presented below as follows: • Map Unit H: Cameo fine sandy loam,1 to 4% slopes • Map Unit I: Unnamed fine sandy loam,1 to 20% slopes • Map Unit G: Rock Outcrop— Loamy -skeletal Torriorthents,15 to 90% slopes -5-