2018-03-30_PERMIT FILE - C1981038 (7)

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Volume 7 Exhibit 14 Jim Stover * m Dearstyne, David - Montrose, CO [David. Dearstyne @co.usda.gov] e t: Thursday, August 21, 2008 9:26 AM To: jestover @bresnan.net Cc: Boyd, Jim - Norwood, CO Subject: Changes as requested On August, 19, 2008 I was contacted by Jim Stover, Consultant for Bowie Resources, LLC, concerning reclamation of land in the Paonia area. The land that he mentioned was to be reclaimed was from a mining operation and was to be returned to irrigated pasture. Mr. Stover said that the original topsoil was no longer available and was inquiring as to what soil amendments could be added to help improve the soil for reclamation. I expressed the need to minimize the presence of large rock fragments in the surface and also to minimize total rock fragment volume to less than 50 percent, preferably less than 35 percent. I also expressed concerns over potential salt problems and the need to run EC (Electrical Conductivity) EC values higher than 16 mmhos would pose severe problems. Ideally EC values should be 4 mmhos or less in the upper 1 foot of soil for grasses and less than 8 mmhos in the subsoil layers to depths of 48 inches for deep rooted legumes such as alfalfa. High salt content causes elevated pH, detrimental to some plants, and also affects water movement in the soil and water availability to plants. When asked what soil amendments would be good for topsoil, I recommended use of manures. Manure, in general, improves soil quality, water holding capacity, infiltration, and structure. It also reduces erosion potential and improves seed germination rates and stand densities. Horse manure is the easiest to manage, followed by cattle manure. Some care should be given as to the quality of manure, as some manures, such as from dairy cattle, may contain elevated levels of salts. It is difficult to add to much manure to soil (except maybe chicken manure, which in a "fresh" state may contain excess nitrogen i d salts). Initial manure applications should be placed on the surface and incorporated to the topsoil prior to planting seed. The use of a "green manure" crop (specific crop that is grown then incorporated directly into the soil) to help improve organic matter content and soil quality may also be considered in the reclamation process. In soils that are high in clay content (greater than 27 percent), care should be exercised when working the soil. If the heavy- textured soil is to wet, excessive clodding, compaction, and surface crusting may occur, that could adversely effect seed germination and stand development. In heavier - textured soil, care should also be exercised in exposing high clay content surfaces to livestock and heavy equipment during wet periods, especially prior to good stand establishment. Depending on the subsoil used for reclamation and the management practices utilized, it could take several years of good management to establish a good topsoil condition with strong plant stands. It is also recommended that nutrient analysis, organic matter, and salt content be run on several soil samples taken from different sites in the area from the newly applied surface layer and any incorporated organic materials. A fertilizer management plan should be developed based upon the crop to be planted. Recommended fertilizer rates and proper application practices should be undertaken to help improve and shorten the time period needed to reclaim the site. Original copy of this e -mail will be kept at this office. Please keep in mind that these recommendations are for general purposes and are based solely on conversation with the above -named individual. No onsite investigation was conducted and no soil or laboratory data was made available for use in these recommendations. Dave Dearstyne Soil Scientist USDA -NRCS • TR -5l faqP (V wo 30•NDV•2X9