2009-10-16_PERMIT FILE - M2009082 (16)

Home Browse Search

EXHIBIT I Soils Information Aquolls and Aquents, gravelly substratum This nearly level map unit is on bottom lands and flood plains of all the major streams in the survey area. Aquolls, which have a dark colored surface layer, make up about 60 percent of the unit. Aquents, which have a lighter colored surface layer, make up about 35 percent. About 5 percent is Aquepts and Bankard sandy loam. These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed in recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly, the soils have a mottled, mildly alkaline to moderately alkaline loamy or clayey surface layer and underlying material and are underlain by sand and gravel and gravel within 48 inches. In places they have a gleyed layer in the underlying material. Most of the acreage is subject to flooding. The water table is at or near the surface early in spring and recedes to as deep as 48 inches late in fall in some years. These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat. Some small areas have been reclaimed by major drainage and leveling and are used for irrigated crops. The potential native vegetation is dominated by alkali sacaton, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass. Saltgrass, sedge, rush, and alkali bluegrass are also prominent. Potential production ranges from 3,000 pounds per acre in favorable years to 2,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As range condition deteriorates, the switchgrass, alkali sacaton, and western wheatgrass decreases and saltgrass, sedge, and rush increase. Management of vegetation should be based on taking half and leaving half of the total annual production. Seeding is difficult and costly because numerous tillage practices are required to eliminate the saltgrass sod. Switchgrass, western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, tall wheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable for seeding. They can be seeded into a clean, firm seedbed. Seedbed preparation usually requires more than 1 year to eliminate the saltgrass sod. A grass drill should be used. Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit. The wetland plants provide nesting and protective cover, as well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland, where wildlife obtain much of their food and find protection cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland and openland wildlife. Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for cover and nesting. Deer find excellent cover in some areas. These valuable wildlife areas should be protected from fire and fenced to prevent encroachment and overuse by livestock. They should not be drained. Parsons Mine DR-MS 112 Reclamation Permit Application Pagel] of 110