2010-09-22_REVISION - C1981008 (8)

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Prime Farmland Determinations for Begay Soil on WFC (Reclaim to Prime Farmland Standards) United States Department of Agriculture o MRCS Natural Resources; Canservallm Service Jim Boyd. Resource Conservallordst jim Boyd &o.usdagov P. O. Box 29 97o 327- 4245. OFFICE Norwood. CO 81423 970327 -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 Lewicld 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 sods in the SWIA Sec 36, T47N, R16T. 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 MRCS 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 sod 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 MRCS that the single lift salvage of soil fqr 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 Nahrd Resource Conservation Service works in perinerahipwle, the American People to conserve and sustain natural resources on prrvab lands. An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Attachment 2.04.9 -6 -8