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This issue was clarified in the August 4, 2009 letter from Jim Boyd of the NRCS to Dan Mathews <br />of the DRMS, which is also included in Attachment 2.04.9 -10. Basically, Jim Boyd states that prime <br />farmlands lose this status if an adequate and dependable supply of water does not exist. <br />Therefore, all previous references to prime farmland have now been referred to as prime farmland <br />soils. Each individual parcel is then subject to evaluation to determine if it truly meets the definition <br />of prime farmland. WFC acknowledges that all 98A and 98E soils are potential prime farmlands <br />and all of these soils will be handled under the detailed topsoil stripping, handling, storage and <br />replacement procedures of this Section 2.04.9 and Section 2.05.4 2(d), as of February 2008, when <br />the determination of potential prime farmland was made by the NRCS. <br />As of February, 2008, the eastern portion of the Morgan fields in the permit area, which are in <br />prime farmland soils (west of 2700 Road and south of BB Road) has been backfilled with subsoil. <br />It is also demonstrated that the subsoil placed in this area meets the suitability criteria outlined in <br />Table 2.04.9 -2. See Attachment 2.05.4(2)(d) -1 for Walsh Environmental Scientist and Engineers <br />Report. <br />The following terms are put forth to further clarify the whole prime farmland issue: <br />10.3 Definition of Terms <br />1) Prime Farmland Soils - Soils that have the best physical and chemical characteristics and other <br />requirements necessary to produce sustained high yields of crops when proper management, <br />including water management, and acceptable farming methods are applied. In the case of the <br />permit area, this refers to any 98A or 98E soils identified, which include the Barx or begay soil <br />complexes. This term basically replaces all references <br />to prime farmlands in correspondence prior to August, 2009. Any designation of prime farmland <br />soils necessitates special stripping, handling and replacement procedures described later in this <br />Section. If adequate water is available and other requirements are met such as 0 -6% slopes, etc., <br />these soils can result in prime farmland land (Irrigated Cropland) use. <br />(RevisM October 09) 2.04.9-17 <br />