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<br />Average lift depths indicated on Table ?.04.9-3, and Map ?.04.9-I appear to be simple mathematical averages <br />of all samples within each map unit, rather than weighted averages by major component as stated in the text. <br />Clarification and revision would appear to be necessary. Also, several sample site LD. numbers on the table <br />are asterisked, with no associated footnote. Please footnote as appropriate. <br />3. Page 2.04.9-1, narrative states [hat soil sample locations and soil profile description locations are denoted on <br />Map ?.04.9-I . However the map does not depict soil sample or description locations as required by Rule <br />2.04.9(I)(c), for the 1996 and 1998 study areas. The map will need to be revised to include all sample site. <br />profile description, depth verification or other soil observation locations, with site numbers on the map keyed <br />to appropriate data tables. <br />4. Attachment 2.04.9-6. 1987/88 soil laboratory data is organized to present data keyed to sample 1.D., soil <br />series. and depth interval sampled. We request that the 1998 data tables be similarly organized, to facilitate <br />evaluation. <br />2.04.12 Prime Farmland Investieation <br />Narrative on page 2.04.9-12 indicates that Barx sail, which is a component of Map Unit 98E, is a prime <br />farmland soil under certain conditions. The narrative quotes the Colorado Important Farmland Inventory <br />page 3, as stating that "irrigated soils that have a pH higher than 7.4 are. considered as having high <br />conductivity and therefore are not considered prime". The applicant concludes that the Barx soil in the 1998 <br />study area is not prime farmland, because the pH is higher than 7.4 in all horizons. However, the cited page <br />from the Colorado Important Farmland Inventory appears to require that a soil have both "...bedrock within <br />40 inches of the surface and soil horizons that have a pH higher than 7.4..." to be excluded from <br />consideration as prime farmland. Please provide documentation of MRCS concurrence with the determination <br />that the Barx soil in Map Unit 98E is no[ considered prime farmland. <br />2.05.3(5) Topsoil Removal and Storaee: 2.05.4(2)(d) Topsoil Removal and Redistribution <br />6. A few editorial comments: There appears to be a missing sentence fragment between the last line on page <br />2.05.4(2)(d)-4 and the firs[ line on page (d)-5. "Compatibility" on the section heading on page (d)-5 should <br />apparently be "compactabili[y". "Toughened" in [he first paragraph on page (d)-l l should probably be <br />"roughened". <br />Page 2.05.4(2)(d)-7, Map Unit 70B is listed as one oC the best sources of topsoil in the New Horizon 2 <br />disturbance area. However, based on Map 2.04.9-I, this map unit is apparently not represented within the <br />disturbance area. The text should be appropriately amended. <br />8. Narrative on pages (d)-9 and (d)-10 describe soil salvage operations for soil map units identified in the 1988 <br />survey, but no[ [he 1998 survey. The narrative should be updated as appropriate, to address salvage <br />operations within the expansion area. <br />9. Tables on Map 2.04.9-1 indicate that all map units will salvaged using a two lift procedure, except some <br />portion of Map Unit 98H, possibly. This contradicts the statement at bottom of page (d)-10, which indicates <br />that dry pastureland stockpiles will consist entirely of mixed lift soil (A, B, and C horizon). Table <br />2.05.4(2)(d)-3 indicates that Map Units 98B and 98H would both be entirely single lift salvage, with all other <br />units being two lift salvage. Contradictory narrative and tables should be amended as appropriate. <br />10. Table 2.05.4(2)(d)-1 footnote references to "prime farmland" would appear to be erroneous. Map Unit 706 <br />soils were apparently previously determined to not be prime farmland soils. This being the case, references in <br />the table to prime farmland should be deleted. <br />