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.. United States U.S. Soil 1826 E. Platte Ave „ Suite #114 Department of Conservation Colorado Springs, CO B$9$9 ~ Agriculture Service <719) 473-71$4 / 473-$933 Re_ Reclamation recommendations Datec Nov. 23, 199$ DFC Ceramics, Inc. - Stone City mine To_ Lloyd V. "Buck" Barnhart, CREA Barnhart Agency, Inc. 212 West 13th Street Pueblo, CO 81$$3 Dear Buck, In response to your request for soils and revegetation/ reclamation information concerning the DFC Ceramics, Inc. (Stone City) clay mine, located in the SW 1/4, Section 36, T. 18 S., R. 67 W., several observations and recommendations in summarized, narrative form follow. These are based on our on-site inspection conducted with Gary Belew, Fort Carson Range Conservationist, and staff on November 21, 199$. The quarry site is operated under a perpetual lease agreement and easement from Fort Carson (U.S. Army) by DFC Ceramics, Inc., with the latter as operator and responsible for final reclamation. As depicted on the enclosed soils map of the area in question, the major soil of potential impact is the Travesilla-Rock outcrop complex (coded TrG on the enclosed soils map of the area). In non-outcrop areas, the texture of the surface soil is a sandy loam to a gravelly sandy loam, overlying hard sandstone at an average depth of approximately 14 inches. General aspect is basically west-southwest, with moderate to steep (2$-9$%) slopes. The soil is gravelly and stony on the surface, with extensive areas of previous mining and associated surface disturbance apparent. The soil is more fully described in the additional enclosures, which include tables describing potential uses, chemical properties, limitations and hazards <i.e. soil and site suitability for various purposes), and significant engineering properties. Please note that these properties are typical of the NATIVE, UNDISTURBED Travesilla soil in the area, and may not be representative of the reworked, subsoil backfill material. Other than mining and special purpose use by Fort Carson, the soil is probably best suited for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. From a revegation/reclamation standpoint, the native soil would exhibit limitations, chief of which would be shallow topsoil layer, high mineral and low organic matter content, possibly poor compaction characteristics (depending upon amount of clay material in final backfill), and dry, open slope exposure. For purposes of mining or excavation, the soil, subsoil and parent material are relatively