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

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Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. Ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and many nongame species can be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essential and should be included in plans for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Rapid expansion of Greeley and the surrounding area has resulted in urbanization of much of this Otero soil. This soil has excellent potential for urban and recreational development. The only limiting feature is the moderately rapid permeability in the substratum, which causes a hazard of ground water contamination from sewage lagoons. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass IIIe irrigated, IVe nonirrigated; Sandy Plains range site. Otero sandy loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes This is a deep, well drained soil on plains at elevations of 4,700 to 5,250 feet. It formed in mixed outwash and eolian deposits. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that have loam and clay loam underlying material. Also included are small areas of soils that have sandstone and shale within a depth of 60 inches. Typically the surface layer of this Otero soil is brown sandy loam about 10 inches thick. The underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown calcareous fine sandy loam. Permeability is rapid. Available water capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is low. This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It is suited to the crops commonly grown in the area. Perennial grasses and alfalfa or close growing crops should be grown at least 50 percent of the time. Contour ditches and corrugations can be used in irrigating close grown crops and pasture. Furrows, contour furrows, and cross slope furrows are suitable for row crops. Sprinkler irrigation is also desirable. Keeping tillage to a minimum and utilizing crop residue helps to control erosion. Maintaining fertility is important. Crops respond to applications of phosphorus and nitrogen. The potential native vegetation on this site is dominated by sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, and blue grama. Needleandthread, switchgrass, sideoats grama, and western wheatgrass are also prominent. Potential production ranges from 2,200 pounds per year in favorable years to 1,800 pounds in 'unfavorable years. As range condition deteriorates, the sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, and switchgrass decrease, the blue grama, sand dropseed, and sand sage increase. Annual weeds and grasses invade the site as range condition becomes poorer. Management of vegetation on this soil should be based on taking half and leaving half of the total annual production. Seeding is desirable if the range is in poor condition. Sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, switchgrass, sideoats grama, blue grama, pubescent wheatgrass, and crested wheatgrass meet the seasonal requirements of livestock. It can be seeded into a clean, firm sorghum stubble, or it can be drilled into a firm prepared seedbed. Seeding early in spring has proven most successful. Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally suited to this soil. Soil blowing, the principal hazard in establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cultivating only in the tree Parsons Mine DRMS 112 Reclamation Permit Application Page 19 of H 0