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• III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII • .IME'.(/~~Ey1 rmation Exhibit I fxaid/TI r,IA~.6y AP~~Q~x Soils Information General: Soils of this site were surveyed as part of the EI Paso County Soil Survey conducted by the United States Soil Conservation Service (SCS). According to their report and mapping, the site is occupied primarily by one unit, the Rock outcrop-Coldcreek-Tolman complex, 9 to 90 pen,ent slopes. The soil was produced from the weathering of the granite parent material that underlies the soil. It is commonly found in the granitic lands of southwestern EI Paso County. The SCS indicates that about 30 percent of the land occupied by this soil is rock outcrop, often with talus downslope from the rock outcrops. Another 30 percent is Coldcreek, about 20 percent Tolman, and about 20 percent other soils. On this site the Coldcreek and Tolman are almost evenly divided, and rock outcrop, although present, less than 30 percent. Other soils commonly associated with this complex include the Kutler-Broadmoor-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 90 percent slopes; Fortwingate-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes; and Nederland cobbly sandy loam, 9 to 25 percent slopes. Of the:.e, only the Kutler-Broadmoor-Rock outcrop complex would be expected and possibly the Nederland cobbly sandy loam in the canyon bottoms. The Fortwingate-Rock outcrop complex is associated with sandstones, which do not occur on this site. The Nederland cobbly sandy loam, if present at all, would be so minor as to be insignificant. The Kutler-Broadmoor-Rock outcrop complex is quite similar to the primary soils found on the site and for purposes of soil salvage and reclamation need not be distinguished. Therefore, the rest of this soil information will concentrate on just the primary units. Included in this exhibit are tables showing various characteristics of the two primary series and diagrams representing typical profiles. It is clear from this information that the two series forming this complex, the Coldcreek and the Tolman series, are very different soils. The soil differences are largely derived from slope aspect, which affects the vegetation cover, which, in turn, affects the s~>il development processes. It is therefore not surprising that the site exhibits almost a precise correspondence between the vegetation units and soil type. On north facing slopes where there is dense forest the Cold=reek soil is found. On south facing slopes where there is mainly open grassland mixed with widely separated Pinyon and ]uniper trees the Tolman soil is found. On the east facing slopes where the vegetation is transitional, the soils also tend to be transitional. A general map of the soils found on the site is included in Exhibit C. Small variations in soil type are not shown as they are too detailed to map accurately, but the general patterns and relationships are shown. Coldcreek Series The Coldcreek series exists on the north facing slopes and is associated with the Dou€;las Fir forests. The soil is fairly deep although rocky. Organic matter, mainly from decaying pine needles N the surface layers, is usually high but often does not extend to any great depth. The primary uses of l:md occupied by these soils is for woodland, recreation and wildlife. in all but a few cases the slopes aze so steep and forage so limited it cannot be used for grazing. The primary game wildlife species are mule deer, wild turkey, and blue grouse, but many other species of forest inhabiting birds and mammals also live in these areas. Menzer Quarry Amendment Exhibit I Page 1