2010-02-19_REVISION - C1981008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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United States Department of Agriculture 0 N RCS Natural Resources Conservation Service Jim Boyd, Resource Conservationist P. o. Box 29 Norwood, CO 81423 February 19,, 2010 Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Department ofNatural Resources 101 South 3 Street, Suite 30-1 Grand Junction, Co 81501 Dear Concemed Parties: jim.boyd a&o.0 da.gov 970-327-4245-OFFICE 970 - 327 -4247 -FAQ I have been asked by Greg Lewi ki and Associates, on behalf ofNew Horizon Mine, to continent on Pie Farmland designation and reclamation of a small irrigated field, ap roxirnately' . acres M size, containing Begay Fine Sandy Loam soils in the SWI Sec 36, T 7N, R1 6W. From my understanding the property is presently owned by western Fuels Colorado. The Begay Fine Sandy Loarn soil is considered Prime arn if irrigated and cropped. It i very clear from past aerial photography 1973 & 1993) that this field was indeed irrigated and managed intensively for crop production. 'therefore, according to NRCS criteria, this field is considered rime arn , It is the stated position of 1R S that all Prime Farmlands be preserved or reclaimed whenever possible. In essence, NRCS, whose mission is to promote resource conservation, supports no net loss of Prune Farmlands. As explained to me by Greg Lewici and Associates, 2.3 acres of this field has already been disturbed with the construction of a settling pond 013, which will remain in place for an extensive period of tune. Apparently, the disturbed topsoil was salvaged in a single lift, and is stockpiled near the pond site. The Begay Fine Sandy Loam soil is derived from alluvium, and is very deep and uniforin in texture, The soil sampling performed for the order 1 Soil Survey conducted for New Horizon Mine by Intermountain Resource Inventories, Inc, reports that the pH for lift 1 and lift 2 of Begay soil was 7.8 and 7.9, respectively. This is not a very significant difference mn pH between the two lifts, and .less than the upper limit of 8.4 for classification as * farmland soil. Therefore, it is the position of 1RCS that the single lift salvage of soil for the pond site presents no obstacles for the reclamation of an equal portion 2.3 acres) of prime farmland, which will meet the soil physical and chemical standards necessary for prune farmland designati ic on. The Natural Resourca Canservaflon Service works in partnership Vah the American People to conserve and sustain natural resources on private lands. An Equal opportunity Provider and Employer.