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Savage and Savage <br />practical solutions !ar environmental problems <br />• <br />464 West Sumac Court <br />Louisville, Colorado 80027-~''''7 <br />land Restoration and Reclamation Strvices <br />303 666737? telephone <br />303 665.6808 facsimile <br />• <br /> <br />January 31, 1996 <br />Mr. Dennis Waggoner, Soil Conservationist <br />USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service <br />102 Par Place, Suite 4 <br />Montrose, CO 81401 <br />Re: Classification of Prime Farmland soils in the vicinity of the West Elk Mine <br />Somerset, Colorado <br />Deaz Mr. Waggoner: <br />We aze compiling information for Mountain Coal Company's West Elk Mine neaz Somerset, <br />Colorado regarding the potential or actual mapping and designation of soil map units identified <br />as "prime farmland." This information will be used in the permitting of a planned expansion <br />of the mines existing coal refuse disposal facility with the Colorado Division of Minerals and <br />Geology (CDMG). <br />The location of the azeas proposed for construction aze: the S'kSW'b Section 10, TI3S, R90W <br />south of the North Fork of the Gunnison River, the N'bNW'k Section 15. T13S, R90W, and <br />the NE',dNE'b Section 21, TI3S, R 90W (USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle "Somerset"). On-site <br />investigation of these areas has identified the following soil series, associations, and map units; <br />Absazokee loam (Beenom-Absarokee), Breece loam, Fughes loam, Work loam (Absazokee- <br />Work), and Torriorthents (Torriorthent-Rock outcrop). We need to know whether the NRCS <br />has designated any of these series, associations, or map units as "prime farmland." <br />CDMG regulations require applicants to demonstrate whether prime farmland units exist <br />within the proposed area of expansion. Based on our on-site investigations, we do not believe <br />any prime farmland units exist within the expansion area to be affected. If the soils meet one <br />or more of the following CDMG criteria, the soils are not considered "prime farmland." <br />1. The land has not been historically used as cropland. <br />2. The slope of the land is six percent or greater. <br />3. The land is not imgated or naturally subirrigated, or has no developed irrigation water <br />supply that is dependable or of adequate quality. <br />4. A very rocky surface exists, or the land is frequently flooded during the growing <br />season, more often than once in two years, and the flooding has reduced crop yields. <br />5. The growing season is less than 90 days. <br />6. On the basis of a soil survey of lands within the permit area, there are no soil map units <br />that have been designated prime farmland by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. <br />