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I-] <br />• <br />EXHIBIT I <br />SOILS INFORMATION <br />I.1 Introduction <br />The baseline soils study for the IRI Sodium Minerals Project includes <br />a soil survey, soil analyses, and report. The soil survey on the <br />project area included an intensive survey (Order 2, SCS) of approxi- <br />mately 1,620 acres;, a less intensive survey (Order 3, SCS) was made <br />on the sodium lease tracts (8,360 acres). Soil samples were taken for <br />analysis to determine soil suitability for topsoil material. Broad <br />soil horizons were sampled for physical and chemical differences rather <br />than by genetic horizons. This study was designed to meet the rules <br />and regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB), <br />and to supply data necessary to make an environmental assessment of the <br />proposed project for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). <br />• The project area is within a small topographic basin located about 40 <br />miles northwest of Rifle, Colorado. This small basin is part of the <br />larger north-west trending Piceance Basin. Landscape of this area is <br />characterized by relatively flat hills, ridges, and shallow gulches or <br />canyons. Drainages have a trellislike pattern with parallel ridges and <br />gulches that drain •in a north and northwestern direction toward Yellow <br />Creek. Elevations range from 6,200 feet at Yellow Creek to 6,700 feet <br />at the southern edge of the project area. The canyon walls along <br />Yellow Creek are about 160 feet high, while the ridge tops are only b0 <br />to 80 feet above t:he surrounding terrain in the upper drainages. <br />I.2 Soil Survey Procedures <br />The Rio Blanco County Soil Survey (SCS 1982) was used for the Order 3 <br />survey on the sodium lease area and was the primary source of soil <br />information for the project area. In addition, an intensive Order 2 <br />soil survey (SCS, NSH-undated) was conducted on the project area <br />• according to SCS guidelines. These data were supplemented by photo <br />interpretation and laboratory analyses. <br />THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS TRADE SECRETS AND PRIVILEGE D,CONFIDENTIAL AND <br />PROPRIETARY COMMF:RCIA L, FINANCIAL, GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA AND ~fii1Y J <br />INFORMATION, PURSUANT TO LAW, THOSE PORTIONS MARKED "CONFIDENTIAL" YYI~ ~~ ~~J <br />MAY NOT BE DISCLO`.iED, COPIED OR MgDE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. <br />