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Soils Inforrnation <br />EXHIBIT "1" <br />Rick Romano, District Conservationist, stationed in the Canon City Field Office of the <br />NRCS provided the soils information and recommended seed mixture and planting info. <br />Please see Form CO-ECS-S dated: August 6, 2002 attached to this application, E~chibit "E". <br />8- Coutis sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes. This is a deep well-drained soil in <br />drainageways and on foot slopes. It formed in mixed alluvium. Elevation is between 7,800 <br />to 8,800 feet. The average annual precipitation is 14 to 20 inches, the average annual air <br />temperature is 40 to 44 degrees F, frost -free season is 55 to 75 days. Typically, the <br />surface layer is dark brown sandy loam 11 inches thick. It is underlain by dark brown sandy <br />loam 37 inches thick. The substratum is brown gravelly loam to a depth of 60 inches or <br />more. The soil is slightly acid to a depth of 11 inches and neutral below that depth. <br />Included in this soil mapping, and making up about 5 percent of the unit, are areas of <br />Venable loam on the stream terraces and in depressions. <br />Permeability of this Coutis soil is moderately rapid, and the available water capacity is <br />moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is medium, and <br />the hazard of erosion is moderate. <br />Most of the acreage is used as rangeland and irrigated hayland. Mixtures of brome, <br />orchardgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, and timothy are commonly grown. <br />Where this soil is irrigated, the main management concerns are proper use of water, <br />maintenance of soil fertility, and reduction of soil erosion. Flooding is the common method <br />of irrigation. Corrugation is also a suitable method. Sprinklers and contour ditches are <br />suitable if the irrigated area is large enough. The Land needs to be leveled and irrigation <br />water managed to obtain uniform distribution of water. Applications of manure and <br />commercial fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorus help maintain soil fertility. Water <br />erosion can occur if this is unprotected. With good management this soil is capable of <br />producing about 5 tons of grass hay per irrigated acre. <br />The potential native vegetation is mainly Arizona fescue, mountain muhly, western <br />wheatgrass, and Parry oatgrass. As the range deteriorates, blue grama, sleepygrass, <br />fringed sage, slimstem muhly, and rabbitbrush increase. Renovating and using a planned <br />grazing system, cross fencing, and livestock water developments help to prevent range <br />deterioration and promote the production of more desirable plants. In renovating, seed <br />should be drilled into well prepared, firm, weed-free seedbed. Suitable grasses for seeding <br />are intermediate wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, westem wheargrass, and Arizona <br />fescue. <br />This soil is well suited to use as homesites. However, included areas of Venable soil <br />adjacent to streams are subject to ponding or flooding. This Coutis soil is a good source <br />of topsoil. <br />