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12 • SOIL MAPPING UNIT NO. 6 This unit reflects the extent and location of soils which are dominantly like the soils delineated in soil mapping unit no. 3 except for the following: these areas lie adjacent to the meadow area and include small areas of the poorly drained Loup and Boel soils. Mottling occurs at a depth of about 50 inches in the Valent soils which suggests the presence of either a past or present seasonal water table. In addition, these areas may be part of the alluvial valley and may need to be considered differently from the upland areas in the development of a reclamation plan. In terms of availability and nature of topsoil materials, these poorly drained areas are very similar to soil mapping unit no. 3. SOIL MAPPING UNIT N0. 7 This unit identifies the extent and location of the meadow lands found in the study area. They are identified but not discussed because they are not part of the pro- posed mining area. Important Farmlands On January 31, 1978 the Federal Register reported the final rules for the implementation and conducting of a national program for inventorying prime and unique farm- land. Prime farmland is defined as land that has the best combinations of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and is also available for these uses. In general, prime farm- lands have an adequate and dependable water supply from precipitation or irrigation, a favorable temperature and growing season and acceptable chemical qualities. According to the above definitions no important farm- lans occur within the study area. It is evident from old field boundaries and vegetation that a portion of Section • 26 was once farmed and then left to revert to range. Dry- ~ land farming on sand has not proven feasible in this area.