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USDA United States + Natural Resources Brightt~ield Office <br />~~_ Department of Conservation USDA Service Center <br />- Agriculture Service 57 West Bromley Lane <br />__ (NRCS) Brighton CO 80601-26 <br />Telephone: 303 659-0525 http:l/www.co.nres.usda.gov Fax: 303 659-7768 <br />May 8, 2000 <br />Environment, Inc. <br />7985 Vance Drive, Suite 205A <br />Arvada, Colorado 80003 <br />RE: Scottdale Ranches <br />Vegetative Information for proposed mining operation <br />Enclosed, please find a copy of the NRCS soils map for the <br />above property as well as soils descriptions, engineering <br />properties and physical and chemical properties information. <br />Additional information can be found in the publication 'Soil <br />Survey of Weld County, Colorado, Southern Portion'. None of the <br />soils found on this parcel would be classified as 'prime <br />farmland'. <br />Vegetation over the area includes irrigated cropland, irrigated <br />pasture and hayland, native pasture (rangeland) and riparian <br />areas. The irrigated fields are used to grow corn and small <br />gra ns. These fields are mainly on the upland areas towards the <br />north end of the property. That area between the Western Mutual <br />Ditch and the oil well road in the bottom is primarily <br />rangeland. Most of this area is classified as a Salt Meadow <br />Range Site. Switchgrass, alkali sacaton, tall wheatgrass and <br />tall fescue dominate the site, with production ranging from <br />2,000 to 3,000 pounds per acre per year. Some of the lower <br />areas have been leveled and planted to a cool season pasture <br />mix (brome and orchard grass). Some native grasses are starting <br />to invade these areas. Alfalfa has been seeded into some areas <br />but is generally short lived due to the high water table. <br />Production will probably range form 1.5 to 3.5 tons per acre <br />per year. <br />The riparian areas follow the South Platte River channel <br />and vary from grasses to a mixture of trees and shrubs. There <br />are other small 'wetlands' scattered throughout the property, <br />as evidenced by the vegetation. I would recommend contacting <br />the the Army Corp. of Engineers regarding the mitigation <br />aspects of destroying these wetlands. <br />The Natural Resources Conservation Service works hantl-In-hand with <br />the American people to conserve natural resources on private lands AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AHD EMPLOYER <br />