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• <br />Mountain Coal Company Exhibit 27 <br />West Elk Mine Characteristics of West Elk Mine Soil Mapping Units <br />The soils of mapping unit number 26 have moderate shrink/swell ratios; ho++e+er. this <br />is generally not a serious limitation to their engineering uses. Potential total extensibility <br />of a 40-inch section ranges from 0.8 to 2.0 inches. <br />In their native state. these soils are not subject to accelerated erosion. However, they <br />are subject to accumulation from other eroding areas. Minor gulleying occurs on areas <br />where the vegetation has been depleted. These soils are somewhat subject to water and <br />wind erosion it relocated or maintained without vegetative cover. Ivtass movement is <br />only moderately possible, especially in abnormally wet years. The major slide area is <br />just east of Minnesota Reservoir. <br />Chemical Properties and Natural Fertility -These are weakly developed soils formed <br />under sedimentary influences from higher areas. The deposition of material has occurred <br />over long periods of time, but vegetation has continued to thrive. The result is a thick <br />dark surface horizon with a greater than normal fertility. <br /> <br />Normally, the soils of this unit are noncalcareous in excess of 40 inches with reaction <br />ranging from neutral to mildly alkaline. There is little or no free carbonate in these soils <br />to depress the availability of phosphorus; however, there is no deficiency in bases. <br />Natural fertility levels are above average for the study area. No deficiencies of essential <br />plant nutrients were noted. Revegetated areas will need additions of nitrogen, but a <br />continuing program will not be needed. <br />M~pine Unit Number X26 -This mapping unit has the same description as mapping unit <br />number 26. <br />Classification of Major Components -The components listed below comprise the major <br />part of the mapping unit: <br />A. Pachic Cryoboroll (Chernozem). <br />1. Fine-loamy, mixed family. <br />(Adel Series) <br />B. Typic Cryoboroll (Chernozem). <br />(Emerald Series) <br />(Teton Series) <br />• <br />Extent and Major Areas of Occurrence -Mapping unit number X26 has a moderately <br />lazge total acreage in the study area. It occurs in largest acreage on the tloodplains of <br />the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek, the East Fork of ~[innesota Creek, and [heir major <br />tributaries. <br />Exhibit 27-19 <br />