PERMFILE41613 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4 - 35 4.4 SOILS INVENTORY • 4.4.11NTRODUCTION The purpose of this inventory is to satisfy the requirements of the Colorado MLRB for soils information for environmental permit applications for the McClave Canyon Mine. Soils information in the inventory includes mapping of disturbed areas and areas to be disturbed; characterization and classification of major soil series; identification of soil sampling sites; chemical and physical analysis of major soil series; evaluation of major series for topsoil resources; and present and potential uses of the permit area soils. The taxonomic families for the principal permit area soils are included. 4.4.2 METHODOLOGY The field work included refinement of R.V. Lord and Associates mapping with emphasis upon the collection of site specific data (Figure 4.4.1, Soil Inventory Map). Mapping included field checking on foot with hand augers. The mapping approximates an order I or II level of intensity in areas to be affected and order III in the remainder of the area. The majority of the soils mapped are classified to the series level; some are classified only to the subgroup level (See • Fgure 4.4-1). Collection of site-specific information included the excavation, description, sampling and analysis of major soils series, man-made fill and other disturbed materials. Soil map units were refined to include approximate percentages and types of inclusions. Sampled pedons were located on the soil map. Mapping, sampling, and detailed soil descriptions are in accordance with the National Cooperative Surveys (USDA-Soil survey staff, 1975; USDA•Soil Survey Staff, 1955). Soil analysis was conducted by F & L Labs in Fort Collins, Colorado. From this information and site specific data, the major soils to be affected in the study area were evaluated as a source of material available for reclamation. The present and potential uses of the major soils were evaluated for croplands, pasture lands, and range lands. • Mo Volume 1 4.29-96