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United States Department of Agriculture <br />o FRCS <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service <br />Jim Boyd, Resource Conservationist <br />P. O. Box 29 <br />Norwood, CO 81423 <br />May 8, 2009 <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />Department of Natural Resources - Coal Program <br />701 Camino del Rio, Room 315 <br />Durango, CO 81301 <br />S ?/ ? G S <br />jim.boyd@co.usda.gov <br />970-327-4245-OFFICE <br />970-327-4247-FAX <br />RE: Designation of Prime Farmland for Western Fuels LLC Proposed Mine Expansion <br />Dear Concerned Parties: <br />It is the official determination of NRCS that a small portion of land, approximately one-half acre, <br />mapped as a Nyswonger Silty Clay Loam soil, within the proposed coal mine expansion, <br />southwest 1/4 of section 25 of township 47 North, Range 16 West, and outside the area disturbed <br />by prior mining activities, is not considered Prime Farmland for the following reason: <br />Historically, this area was not managed as cropland and lacked sufficient water for proper <br />irrigation. Areal photography from-1973 and 1993 confirms this, and the present <br />vegetation is mostly native rangeland species. Also, the current landowner, Mr. Joe <br />Garvey, who has lived in this area his entire life, has verbally confirmed this <br />determination (to Mr. Kent A. Crofts, IME), as it relates to past irrigation and <br />management. <br />If you have any questions regarding this determination or need finther assistance please contact <br />me. <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Jim Boyd, NRCS Resource Conservationist <br />Cc. Kent A. Crofts <br />IME <br />PO Box 270 <br />Yampa, CO 80483 <br />The Natural Resource Conservation Service works in partnership with the American People <br />to conserve and sustain natural resources on private lands. An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.