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2. Capability Subclasses - Subclasses are determined by the general kind of agricultural limitation: soil characteristics, erosion, wetness, and climate. Land capability and productivity within the proposed mine area are limited by soils characteristics and erosion. Soils limitations generally refer to shallow, droughty, or stony properties, along with saline and sodic soils. Characteristics associated with erosion are soil erodibility, percent slope, rainfall, and runoff factors. These factors as related to specific soils within the proposed mine area are found in Table 24, Land Use Capabilities Within the Fish Creek Tipple Area. 3. Capability Units - These are groupings of soils that are nearly alike in suitability for plant growth and responses to soils management. Limitations specific to the soils within the proposed permit area are shallow root zone and heavy surface texture (erosion, run-off, or crusting hazards). Capability of the Land to Support a Variety of Uses Physical and social constraints at the present time severely limit the variety of uses suitable for lands within the proposed permit area. The ability of the area to produce alternative products or support different land uses are summarized in Table 24, Land Use Capabilities and Cropland Potentials within the Fish Creek Tipple Area and Table 22 Soil and Foundation Suitability Potentials and Limitations for Alternative Land Uses. Alternative Land Uses According to the SCS interpretations, there are serious limitations that might be expected if the present land uses of rangeland, pastureland and cropland are changed to other uses. Conversion to residential or industrial uses would be severely restricted due to the poor soil and foundation characteristics resulting from the shallow soils, steep slopes and high clay content in many of the soils. 2.04-6