2010-08-10_REVISION - C1981008 (4)

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Prime Farmland Determination for Begay Soils - WFC Property United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service Jim Boyd, Resource Conservationist Jfm.boy P. O. Box 29 97D327-4245AFF10E Norwood, CO 81423 970.327 - 4247 -FAX February 19, 2010 Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety Department of Natural Resources 101 South 3" Street, Suite 301 Grand Junction, CO 81501 Dear Concerned Parties: I have been asked by Greg Lewicki and Associates, on behalf of New Horizon Mine, to comment on Prime Farmland designation and reclamation of a small irrigated field, approximately 4.6 acres in size, containing Begay Fine Sandy Loam soils in the SWIM Sec 36, T47N, RMV. From my understanding the property is presently owned by Western Fuels Colorado. The Begay Fine Sandy Loam soil is considered Prime Farmland if irrigated and cropped. It is 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 Prime Farmland. It is the stated position of NRCS 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 Prime Farmlands. As explained to me by Greg Lewicki 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 time. 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 uniform 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 in pH between the two lifts, and less than the upper limit of 8.4 for classification as prime farmland soil. Therefore, it is the position of NRCS that the single lift salvage of soil f9r 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 prime farmland designation. The Nelrrd Resource Conservation Service wanks in pertnenhip with tine Amerkan People to conserve and sustain natural resources on private lords. M Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Attachment 2.04.9 -6 -9