Laserfiche WebLink
Lprencirp Canyon Mirte - Soifs rechnica[ Report <br />• Sarcillo-Trag Complex. As a result, these areas have been given the latter designation on the soils <br />map (2.04.9-1). Mapping for the balance of the permit area corresponds to the NRCS mapping. <br />Samples collected from 14 representative pits during the July 1996 investigations were analyzed <br />for the following physical and chemical characteristics: texture (by hydrometer), saturation <br />percentage, sodium adsorption ratio, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, calcium, <br />magnesium, sodium, boron, and selenium. Results are presented in Appendix S-3. Lab results <br />of texture analyses were used to adjust textures originally estimated in the field using visual and <br />tactile means. <br />The lab results were compared with topsoil and overburden suitability guidelines for Wyoming <br />and Montana. These guidelines are generally applicable to Colorado which has no state suitability <br />guidelines. There appear to be few chemical limitations for salvage and use of project area soils <br />for reclamation. The pH for all samples ranged from 5.9 to 8.0, which is well within the <br />acceptable range (5.5 to 8.5). The highest specific conductivity reading was 3.42 mmhos/cm <br />which is below the level of concern (4.00). The highest SAR (sodium adsorption ratio) measured <br />was 7.2 (values less than 10 are generally suitable). Soluble selenium levels were all 0.06 ppm <br />or less, well below the 0.1 ppm level of concern. All samples had boron levels below 5 except <br />one (113-A had a soluble boron level of 5.00 ppm). Levels of 5 or greater are considered <br />unsuitable by both Montana and Wyoming. <br />• Soil fertility was also examined. The percentage of organic matter in topsoil (A horizon) was <br />greater than 2.0 percent for all but one sample and greater than 1.0 for samples from all horizons. <br />Therefore, nitrogen fertilizer requirements for reclamation are expected to be minimal. Further <br />discussion of present and potential soil productivity is included in the vegetation section of this <br />application. <br />Salvageable Soils <br />The project area contains deep soils in the Lorencito and Cow creek valleys. These soils generally <br />have favorable textures for reclatation. Upland soils are a mixture of unusable shallow, <br />excessively stony or cobbly soils and relatively deep soils with favorable textures for reclamation. <br />Shawa Loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes (map symbol CeD) has 36 to 60 inches of salvageable soil. <br />The texture is generally clay loam or sandy clay loam. In some areas, a very gravelly content <br />below 36 inches will limit salvage depth. <br />Trag Loam. 3 to 9 percent slopes (map symbol M11D) has 24 to 36 inches of salvageable soil. <br />The texture of the upper horizons is a loam or clay loam. High clay content of the subsoil will <br />limit salvage depth. <br /> <br />sods.i761December 3. 1996 5 <br />