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III IIIIIIIIIIIII III <br />i ~~~ <br />~~ <br />5 T ATE ~F COLORADO <br />Roy Romer, Govei <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION <br />FRED R. BANTA, Director <br />July 25, 198y <br />Mr. Gary 4Jendt <br />Peaoody Coal Company <br />1.300 South Yale <br />Flagstaff, AZ 6JiUUl <br />RE: Baseline Soil Survey for the Yoast Area <br />Dear Mr. Wendt: <br />Tne Division has reviewed .your letter of July 5, 1969 concerning the proposes <br />soil survey on the Yoast area. Generally, the soil baseline program appears <br />acceptaole. However, we have four specific comments on the proposed sampllnq <br />intensity, sampling parameters and suitability criteria. <br />First, after consultation with experienced soil survey specialists of the USDA <br />- Soil Conservation Service, the Division believes that soil sampling <br />intensities should be increased. We suggest the following sampling intensity <br />guideline: <br />Size of Area (acres) No. of Samples <br />X25 1 <br />'L5-100 2 <br />101-250 3 <br />251-40U 4 <br />401- ii00 5 <br />>000 6 <br />This guideline is oased on a knowledge of the approximate sizes of most soil <br />taxonomic units in the area. We feel that this number of samples will assure <br />adequate soil characterization even if soil pedons at sample sites are not <br />completely representative. Soii sampling sites should also be Chosen in such <br />a manner that different aspects and slope positions of the same soil type are <br />represented. <br />Second, the Division believes that it is difficult to determine whether soils <br />are "Known unsuitaole soil types" if no samples are taken. It is our position <br />that soils which are suspected of being unsuitable should, at the very least, <br />be sampled and tested for texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and <br />sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). This would provide a more oojecttve measure of <br />topsoil suitaoility. If the soil is unsuitaole after these tests, then <br />further tests would be unnecessary. <br />215 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203-2273 Tel. (303) 866-3567 <br />