2007-09-11_REVISION - M1997054 (2)

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EXHIBIT I ~'' Soils Information Soil work was begun by reviewing work previously completed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (SCS, 1995). This document contained soil survey work for Fremont County. The permit area was noted to be overlain by nine soil map units. Several site visits were also conducted to review and confirm the soil information. Related visits were conducted by independent contractors including: Cedar Creek Associates, Azurite, Inc. EMS, Inc., Gilmer Geophysics, Vibra-Tech Engineers and others. During these site visits it became apparent that the soil available for salvage and redistribution on the site did not always correspond with that indicated by the soil survey completed by the SCS. For example, the depth of soil suitable for salvage from Map Unit 50 was indicated to be from 12 to 60" depending upon chemical considerations. Field work only indicated 6" to 18" of suitable top soil. Another example involves the SCS conclusion that coarse fragment percentage within the profile of the Kim series typically does not exceed 15%. This unit is within the permit boundaries where gravel mining will occur and much better than 50% commercially sized coarse aggregate lies readily exposed on the surface. Field investigations were determined to be required to confirm SCS data, which was completed by personnel from Azurite, Inc. on November 11, 1997. The field sample methodology used followed that recommended to Azurite by a representative of Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (SCS) This survey work identified nine soil map units. These include the Kim loam, cool, 3 to 8% slopes (Map Unit 50); Louviers-Travessilla complex, 20 to 50% slopes (Map Unit 64); Nunn clay loam, 0 to 2% slopes (Map Unit 78); Otero fine sandy loam, 3 to 8% slopes (Map Unit 81); Riverwash (Map Unit 92); Roygorge very gravelly sandy clay loam, 25 to 50% slopes (Map Unit 98); Sedillo cobbly sandy loam, 4 to 25% slopes (Map Unit 100); Shanta loam, 0 to 3% slopes (Map Unit 104}, and the Ustic Torriorthents, bouldery -Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 90% slopes (Map Unit 120) map units. Kim loam, cool, 3 to 8% slopes This map unit consists of well drained soils forming in alluvium and eolian parent materials on fans and fan terraces. This map unit would be disturbed by the proposed gravel and granite operations. The Kim soil, making up about 95 % of the unit, is characterized by loam textures, strong effervescence, and moderate alkalinity to a depth of 60". The coarse fragment content less than 5 % throughout the profile. The effective rooting depth is 60" or more. This soil is non- saline anti non-sodic. The hazard of water erosion is moderate to very high. Louviers-Travessilla complex, 20 to 50% slopes Occurring on hills, and canyon sides, this unit consists of shallow, well drained soils. This unit will be disturbed by the granite mining operations. The Louviers soil is forming in residuum from shale and siltstone and covers about 40 % of the unit. This soil is characterized by very channery clay barns over clays to a depth of 16". It is neutral to mildly alkaline, non- effervescent, non-saline, and non-sodic. The effective rooting depth is 10 to 20". Front Range Aggregates, LLC- Par/alale Quarry OMG 112 Permit Amendment Page 35