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• <br />Mountain Coal Company Exhibit 27 <br />West Elk Mine Characteristics of West Elk Mine Soil fvlapping Units <br />These soils are slightly susceptible to water erosion, particularly gullying and rilling. <br />Wind erosion is not a major concern unless native cover is destroyed. No mass <br />movement was noted with the exception of very steep slopes, extremely wet years, and <br />destroyed native vegetation. <br />Chemical Propentes and Natural Fertility - The soils of mappine unit number 4 are <br />only moderately weathered soils and except for the surface few inches in a few localities, <br />they are calcareous throughout. Accumulation of free secondary calcium carbonate in <br />particular horizons has not occurred except under a few of the more strongly developed <br />components (Camborthids). Even in those components the calcium carbonate <br />accumulation is inconsistent, and should not be a problem in soil fertility. <br />Sodium or other soluble salts were not observed to have concentrated in detrimental <br />amounts. The clay fractions are dominated by two to one lattice types of clay. <br />Natural fertility levels for the soils of this unit are about normal for the area. Total <br />vegetative production is lower than for some of the higher lying soil units, but this is <br />considered to be a function of moisture availability rather than fertility. <br />• <br />With the exception of nitrogen, no critical deficiencies of plant nutrients are observed, <br />but some evidence of deficiency of phosphorus was found in the soil analysis (see <br />Exhibit 26). In their natural state nitrogen levels appear to be adequate, but if the loss <br />of surface horizons occurs, a temporary fertilization program including both nitrogen and <br />phosphorus supplements would aid the revegetation procedure. <br />Mapping Unit Number 5 - Moderately deep (20 to 40 inches to bedrock) and deep <br />(more than 40 inches to bedrock), light colored, fine textured (more than 35 percent <br />clay), undeveloped soils having no soil horizonation other than a slightly darkened <br />surface horizon and weak and inconsistent horizons of secondary carbonate accumulation <br />(Torriorthents) or weakly developed soils having slightly darkened surface horizons, <br />brighter colored sub-surface horizons of weak to moderate structure, and weak horizons <br />of secondary carbonate accumulation (Camborthids) occurring in pans of the study area <br />where mean summer soil temperature (June, July, and August averages measured at 20 <br />inches) is 59°F or warmer. <br />Classification of Ivtajor Components -The components listed below comprise the major <br />part of the mapping unit: <br />A. Ustic Torrionhents (Regosols). <br />1. Fine. montmorillonitic, (calcareous), mesic family. <br />• (Gaynor Senes) <br />2. Fine, montmorillonitic, (calcareous), frigid family. <br />(Dollard Series) <br />Exhibit 27-4 <br />