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West Elk Mine <br />• The samples taken were composite samples of all the soil horizons occurring in the upper 16 <br />inches of the soil at the sample sites. Exceptions were soils of mapping unit numbers 1, 6, X6, <br />and X38. Mapping unit numbers 1, 6, and X6 are predominately shallow soils. In these units <br />the composite sample was from the surface to the top of the bedrock. Mapping unit number 38 <br />is a deep forested soil and the composite sample was of the upper four feet. The samples <br />represent an average of conditions within the zone of maximum rooting of the most important <br />components of each mapping unit and are not specific for any one major soil horizon. Exhibit <br />26 presents the results of soil analyses conducted on the original 1976 mapping units for the <br />West Elk Mine study area. <br />1980 Soi[ Survey <br />During the 1980 survey, soil samples were collected for analysis in those instances where <br />substantial azeas of soil were mapped or when there was a question as to the relative suitability of <br />the mapping unit. <br />Soils were sampled and described by exposing the solum with a shovel and then sampling below <br />this point with a bucket auger. Samples were collected by soil horizon to that depth at which soils <br />appears suitable for topsoiling material. If this depth was questionable, samples were collected <br />below the depth th question to determine the chemistry of this material. Soil sample locations are <br />indicated on Map 41. Samples were collected on August 20 and 21, 1980. Analysis was <br />• performed upon submittal to Energy laboratories, Billings, Montana on September 11, 1980, <br />using procedures specified by the Wyoming Department of E~tvironmental Quality. Exhibit 30 <br />contains analytical results for those soils sampled on the survey azea. <br />General Limitations for Use: Permit Area <br />A brief summary of some of the major soil limitations, or lack of them, follows: <br />Salinity and Sodium Concentration <br />No mappable field evidence of detrimental accumulations of sodium or other soluble salt within <br />the normal root zones of plants high enough to affect the morphology of the soils was found. <br />Localized evidence was found of some detrimental sodium concentration around small seeps in <br />areas of mapping unit 5 located in Sections 8 and 17, Township 145, Range 90W. This was <br />confumed by an analysis of one such azea which showed the soil to have 52 percent exchangeable <br />sodium (refer to Analysis Sample No. 179 in Exhibit 26); however, this applied to the very <br />limited area around a few seeps. Since these observations and results are within the general area <br />but are outside the mine area, it is unlikely that they will be involved in any direct mining or <br />reclamation operation. <br />Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate Concentrations <br />• Most of the soils of the study area do not have horizons of secondary cabonate accumulation. <br />Unirs 16, 17, and 33 have such horizons but with the possible exception of unit 33, the genetic <br />2.04-128 1/94 PROS; 8/94 rR71,- Revised Jun. 1995 PR06 <br />