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a. -:~" <br />United Staites Depalrtment of Agriculture <br />o MRCS <br />NaAural Resountes Conservation Servroe jim.boyd aQco.usdagov <br />Jim Boyd, Resource Conservationist 970327-424rrOFFICE <br />P. O. Box 29 970.327247-FAX <br />Norwood, CO 81423 <br />February 21, 2008 <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />Department of Naitural Resources <br />101 South 3~ Street, Suite 301 <br />Grand Junction, t;0 81501 <br />Dear Concerned ]?artiest <br />In regards to a determination of Prime Farmlands on the New Horizon Mine, Nucla, CO, the <br />United States Department of Agriculture -Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA- <br />NRCS), considers the soil map unit "Begay Fine Sandy Loam, 1 to 3 Perceirt Slopes, a Prime <br />Farmland, if irrigated This soil type occurs in the far northwest corner of the New Horizon <br />Mine permit area. and constitutes about 3.5 acres. Aerial photographs show that this soil was <br />historically irrigated and therefore meets USDA MRCS cxiteria for Prima Farmland <br />The reclamation of this area is subject to State of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, <br />and Safety regulations concerning reclamation of Prime Farailands for surface coal-mining <br />operations. The post-mining land use objectives of the property owner maY or maY not influence <br />the nature of the reclamation process. It is not for USDA-MRCS to decide this matter <br />In regards to conr>;rnon fanning practices associated with growing Alfalfa Hay as the primary crop <br />on irrigated cropland, the typical crop rotation is as follows: <br />1) Plant alfltlf~a in the spring with a cover crop of oats and irrigate <br />2) Harvest the oats when mature <br />3) Manage the alfalfa stand for five to seven years. The length of time will depend on the <br />vigor and productivity of the alfalfa plants low/disk down the alfalfa and plant <br />4) When the production of the alfalfa stand declines, p <br />small grains such as oats, wheat, barley, sorghum/sudan grass, etc., for one or two years. <br />Control laroadleaf weeds during this period of the cropping sequence. <br />S~ After one or two years of small grains, replant Alfalfa with a cover crop of oats as in year <br />one. <br />6) Perform all other sound agricultural practices during this cropping sequence such as <br />proper nxigation water management, nutrient.management, pest management, and <br />harvestillg_ ~ - . - ~ ~ , <br />The Natural Resource Carsenratian Service works in partnemhip wkh the American Peop~ ~ Equal OpporluNty Provider and Employer. <br />to conserve and swtain natural raourcee on private tends. <br />