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XVI.Concurrent Surface and Underground Mining <br />This section does not apply to the New Horizon Mine. <br />XVII. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <br />The Division has determined that there are no alluvial valley floors along Tuttle or Calamity <br />Draws by definition. <br />XVIII. Operations on Prime Farmland <br />Based on information presented in soil surveys included in the permit application and the <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) San Miguel Area Soil Survey, as well as <br />correspondence from and consultation with NRCS staff, the Division has determined that <br />prime farmland soils, which are Prime Farmland when cropped and irrigated with a <br />dependable water supply, occur in two locations within NHM. These prime farmland soils <br />include soil map units D70, D70B, 98E, and 98A as delineated on permit Map 2.04.9-1. <br />The current status of prime farmland soil areas with respect to Prime Farmland designation <br />is as follows: <br />ERMR Property <br />Map Unit 98A (Begay Fine Sandy Loam) which occurs on 3.52 acres in the northwest corner <br />of NHM was determined to be Prime Farmland, based on NRCS determination that the site <br />was historically cropped and irrigated (see NRCS Resource Conservationist letter dated June <br />27, 2008, in Attachment 2.04.9-10-4). Based on the actual areal extent of disturbance and <br />practical considerations, the Division has designated a slightly larger (4.76 acre) area <br />incorporating the 98A parcel as Prime Farmland, as indicated on permit Map 2.05.4-4. <br />Morgan Property <br />Darvey-Bari Complex soils dominate the portion of the block located south of BB Road and <br />west of 2700 Road, covering approximately 87.03 acres. An evaluation of prime farmland <br />soils by NRCS in 2008 determined that the Darvey-Bari soils in this area are prime farmlands <br />(see February 11, 2008 memorandum from NRCS Soil Scientist Dave Dearstyne in <br />Attachment 2.04.9-6). <br />For the prime farmland areas, ERMR has proposed a plan to comply with Rule 2.06.6(4). <br />a) The approved postmining land use of the prime farmlands is irrigated cropland alfalfa <br />hay. <br />b) The NRCS concurrence is found in Attachment 2.05.4(2)(e)-11. <br />30 <br />