Laserfiche WebLink
portion of the study area/westem portion of the permit area (as it existed in 1987), <br />that would appear to correspond to the two areas totaling 25.02 acres that were <br />changed from IC to IPH on PR-6 Map 2.04.3. Narrative indicates that the areas <br />had large areas of shallow soils or boggy ground, and were dominated by Unit <br />30C soils that "are generally shallow, have a poor capability class, and require a <br />high level of management inputs". Later narrative notes that the two fields had <br />not been tilled after harvest the previous year and "were allowed to volunteer <br />barley and a host of annual and perennial weedy species". From the description, <br />it appears these fields were annual grain croplands (a category not listed on Map <br />2.04. 10) that were not intensively managed, and had low production potential. <br />Please review the relevant materials and amend the referenced text sections <br />and Maps 2.04.3 and 2.04.10 for clarity, and to be internally consistent. <br />2. 50.85 acres of land within the eastern and central portions of the Morgan property <br />in the permit area is mapped as IC (Cropland Irrigated Alfalfa Hay) on Maps <br />2.04.3 and 2.04.10 of PR-6. The distinction between areas mapped as IC and <br />areas mapped as IP is supported by the 1998 color aerial photo, which shows dark <br />green areas of apparent high productivity corresponding with the IC map area <br />designations. Review of additional aerial photos from 1973 (b&w), 1993 (b&w), <br />and 2005 (color), provided in the PR-6 submittal would seem to indicate that <br />irrigated areas of apparent high production have occurred across the extent of the <br />Morgan property within the permit area over the years, but areas of relatively <br />higher and lower production are different in the different years. Presumably, <br />changes in the location of the high production areas reflect management during a <br />particular year. This apparent use pattern, combined with the dominant presence <br />of prime farmland soils across the property, and statements made to the Division <br />in recent years by the Morgan family, regarding historic cropland use, would <br />seem to justify IC designation for lands in the western portion of the property that <br />are currently designated IP (37.61 acres). <br />Please address this observation, and provide justification for the Morgan <br />property land use designations on Maps 2.04.3 and 2.04.10, or revise the <br />maps to re-designate the IP acreage in the western portion of the property to <br />IC. <br />Rule 2.04.9 Soils Resource Information <br />There were no substantive changes proposed within the PR-6 application pertinent to the <br />requirements of Rule 2.04.9. <br />Rule 2.04.10 Vegetation Information <br />3. In sub-section 3.0 of Section 2.04.10, there is a paragraph that discusses a <br />proposed re-designation of 25.02 acres of Irrigated Cropland pre-mine area <br />(mostly on Burbridge property) to Irrigated Pasture (actually to Pastureland <br />Irrigated Hay based on amended Maps 2.04.3 and 2.04.10). As noted previously <br />2