2022-06-13_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (3)

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West Elk Mine 2.04-129 Rev. 01/94- PR05, 08/94- TR71, 06/95- PR06;02/22- MR460 Samples were collected on August 20 and 21, 1980. Analysis was performed upon submittal to Energy laboratories, Billings, Montana on September 11, 1980, using procedures specified by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Exhibit 30 contains analytical results for those soils sampled on the survey area. General Limitations for Use: Permit Area A brief summary of some of the major soil limitations, or lack of them, follows: Salinity and Sodium Concentration No mappable field evidence of detrimental accumulations of sodium or other soluble salt within the normal root zones of plants high enough to affect the morphology of the soils was found. Localized evidence was found of some detrimental sodium concentration around small seeps in areas of mapping unit 5 located in Sections 8 and 17, Township 14S, Range 90W. This was confirmed by an analysis of one such area which showed the soil to have 52 percent exchangeable sodium (refer to Analysis Sample No. 179 in Exhibit 26); however, this applied to the very limited area around a few seeps. Since these observations and results are within the general area but are outside the mine area, it is unlikely that they will be involved in any direct mining or reclamation operation. Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate Concentrations Most of the soils of the study area do not have horizons of secondary carbonate accumulation. Units 16, 17, and 33 have such horizons but with the possible exception of unit 33, the genetic concentration of carbonate is small to moderate. Calcium carbonate equivalents in units 16 and 17 range from about 4 to 15 percent with an average estimated to about 8 percent. Under normal circumstances the genetic concentration of carbonates occurs below the zone of maximum rooting and has little or no effect on the soil's fertility. Some depression in available phosphate might result if this material would constitute the bulk of the root zone through disturbance. If these materials were mixed with other soil materials, as would be the case if they were transported to other locations and used for new seedbeds, the concentration of carbonate would be diluted to the point where it would have little or no effect on fertility of common plants.