2010-05-07_PERMIT FILE - C2009087 (9)

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RULE 2 - PERMITS 2.04.12 Prime Farmland Investigation • This section addresses the potential for prime farmlands to occur in the PSCM permit area. Because this permit is for underground mining, only areas proposed to be disturbed by surface operations or facilities require evaluation for prime farmland designation. Although some areas within the PSCM permit boundary have historically been used as cropland, there are no croplands within the PSCM surface disturbance area. Historically, small grain (primarily wheat) and hay production (primarily alfalfa) occurred west of the proposed surface disturbance area, and primarily west of County Road 27. Much of the historic cropland has been converted to grasslands under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) CRP (Exhibit 2.04.10 - E1, Vegetation Information). According to the NRCS Order 2 soils survey data, there is "farmland of statewide importance" within the general permit area. This farmland designation was for the Lintim loam (3 -12 percent slopes) soil unit, which occurs within the northwest and southern portions of the PSCM permit area (Map 2.04.9 -M1, Soil Types). This soil type does not occur within areas that would be affected by PSCM surface disturbance. The NRCS has previously determined that no prime farmland exists in Routt County because of cold temperatures (cryic soils) and a short growing season (SCS 1980, 1982). Correspondence from Soil Conservation Service (SCS) (now known as NRCS) expressing a negative determination of prime farmland for all of Routt County has been included in previous Seneca II, Seneca II -W, and Yoast Mine Permit documents (Exhibit 2.04.9 -E1, Soils Information, and SCS 1992). • A letter from the Steamboat Springs NRCS office dated October 8, 2009 confirms no Prime Farmland is present in the proposed permit area and the letter has been included in new Exhibit 2.04.12 -E1. • PSCM Permit App. 2.04 -173 Revision 12/17/09