2019-01-09_PERMIT FILE - M2019001 (3)

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EXHIBIT I Soil Information At the end of this exhibit are some printouts from the NRCS website that describe many of the typical characteristics of the soils present on the site. Please refer to Exhibit C-2, Soils Map, for an illustration showing the distribution of the soils. According to the Web Soil Survey (United States Department of Agriculture, NRCS, 2004) of the proposed permit area, there are three major soil types within the proposed project site: 1. Altvan and Ascalon fine sandy loams and 2. Platner loam. The location of these soil types is illustrated on Exhibit C-2, Soils Map. Traditional organic topsoil on most of the site is thin or non-existent, varying from 0 to 6 inches in depth. Most of the soils are undistinguishable from the general overburden material that consists of shallow, well drained loams. Over most of the identified sand and gravel deposit is a loamy, wind-mixed veneer layer of soil/overburden material varying from 0 to near 2 feet in depth. The soil/overburden material likely developed from alluvial and eolian deposits of clay, silts, and sands. Over time, erosive forces of wind and water have influenced the soils on the site and mobile soil/overburden particles, such as silt and clay, have eroded from higher topographic positions and have been re-deposited in lower areas. The aggregate deposits and loamy soil/overburden material are underlain by a variable pattern of unconsolidated shale and sandstone parent materials. Altvan and Ascalon Fine Sandy Loams The Altvans and Ascalons are found on level and nearly level (0 to 6 percent slopes) land forms. Located on loamy plains throughout the area, these soil types are well drained and classified as Hydrologic Soil Group B. They are also the most dominant soil types within the proposed project site. The water table is typically more than 80 inches below the soils. Areas containing these soils are used mainly for rangeland and wildlife habitat. Their water holding capacity is low to moderate and typically do best as seeded rangeland. These soils produce low plant densities of Blue Grama/Buffalo Grass sod with excessive ground litter. Platner Loam Platner soils are found on level and nearly level (0 to 3 percent slopes) land forms. Located on summits and interfluves, these soil types are well drained and classified as Hydrologic Soil Group C. They are a dominant soil type within the proposed project site. The water table is typically more than 80 inches below the soils. Areas containing these soils are used mainly for non-irrigated cropland and rangeland. Winter wheat is the primary crop. Permeability of the soil is slow and the available water capacity is high. Low annual precipitation is the primary limitation for the crops that can be grown in this soil. The potential plant community on these soils is mainly Blue Grama, Western Wheatgrass, sedges and Buffalo Grass. Lazy Two Pit DRMS 112 Permit Application Page 19