Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />CHAPTERTHREE Affected Environment <br />shallow or very shallow), (c) an erosion condition that is rated as poor, (d) a K (erosion <br />potential) factor of greater than 0.32 (BLM 1994). <br />3.2.2 Study Area Soils <br />Piceance Site <br />Prevalent soil types at the Piceance Site aze Rentsac channery loam, Torriorthents-Rock outcrop <br />complex, and Yamac loam, with Redcreek-Rentsac complex and Bazcus channery loamy sand <br />occurring as minor components (Figure 3.2-1 ). Hagga loam and Havre loam occur on <br />floodplains and alluvial valley floors. Table 32-1 shows the seven soil series that occur on the <br />Piceance Site. Soil chazacteristics related to erosion potential and soil salvage and reclamation <br />' chazacteristics aze summarized in Appendix B, Tables B-1 and B-2. Soil suitability criteria for <br />soil salvage and reclamation potential is presented in Table B-3. <br />The Redcreek-Rentsac complex, Rentsac, and Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex units aze on <br />ridges and mountainsides and aze typically shallow channery looms and sandy looms with <br />moderate to moderately rapid permeability and very low available water capacity for vegetation. <br />' Slopes range from 5 to 90 percent. The hazazd of water erosion is moderate to very high, <br />generally increasing with increasing slope steepness. The hazard of wind erosion is slight to high <br />(SCS 1982). Limitations to consider in reclamation of these soils include shallow rooting depths, <br />' a high percentage of coazse fragments, and steep slopes. These soils aze considered fragile <br />according to the criteria described above. These soils comprise 3,170 acres (78 percent) of the <br />Piceance Site. <br />Yamac loam soils aze located on the western and northwestern portions of the Piceance Site. <br />These soils are deep and well drained with moderate permeability and moderate to high available <br />water capacity. Slopes range from 2 to 15 percent. Water erosion hazazd is slight to moderate <br />and wind erosion hazazd is slight (SCS 1982). Yamac loam soils could be a good source of <br />materials for reclamation. This soil unit comprises 696 acres (17 percent) of the Piceance Site. <br />Bazcus channery loamy sands aze located neaz the Piceance Creek valley floor. This series <br />consists of deep, somewhat excessively drained soils with rapid permeability and low available <br />water capacity. Water erosion hazard is moderate and there is no wind erosion hazazd. <br />Limitations for Bazcus sands include a high proportion of sand just below the surface layer and <br />low available water capacity for revegetation (SCS 1982). This soil unit comprises 180 acres <br />' (4 percent) of the Piceance Site. <br />Hagga looms and Havre looms are located on floodplains, valley floors, and low stream terraces, <br />These soils aze deep, poorly drained with moderate to moderately slow permeability and high <br />available water capacity. Slopes aze 0 to 5 percent. The water erosion hazazd is slight and wind <br />erosion hazard is moderate. Hagga looms have a seasonal high water table at a depth of 12 to 24 <br />' inches in spring and eazly summer and aze subject to brief periods of flooding. Additional <br />limitations of the Hagga looms include a moderate concentration of salts and alkali in the surface <br />layer that would require revegetation with salt-tolerant species (SCS 1982). These soil units <br />' comprise 38 acres (about 1 percent) of the Piceance Site. <br />Soils 3-9 <br />