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United States Department of Agriculture <br />o MRCS <br />N&Fal Resaurwe Cmwerv8dw Service jnrl.Doyd@W.usdagOv <br />Tan Boyd. Resource consarvatiordst 970327- 4245-OFFICE <br />P. O. Banc 29 970327 -4247 -FAX <br />Norwood, 0081423 <br />February 21, 2008 <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />101 South 3' Street, Suite 301 <br />Grand Junction, CO 81501 <br />Dear Concerned Parties: <br />In regards to a determination of prime Farmlands on the New Horizon Mine, Nucla, CO, the <br />United States Department of Agriculture — Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA - <br />NRCS), considers the soil map unit "Begay Fine Sandy Loam, l to 3 Percent Slopes, a Prime <br />Farmland, if irrigated. This soil type occurs in the far northwest corner of the New Horizon <br />Mine permit area and constitutes about 3.5 acres. Aerial photographs show that this soil was <br />historically irrigated and therefore meets USDA -NRCS criteria for Prime Farmland. <br />The reclamation of this area is subject to State of Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, <br />and Safety regulations concerning reclamation of Prime Farmlands for surface coal- mining <br />operations. The post- mining land use objectives of the property owner may or may not influence <br />the nature of the reclamation process. It is not for USDA -NRCS to decide this matter. <br />In regards to common farming practices associated with growing Alfalfa Hay as the primary crop <br />on irrigated cropland, the typical crop rotation is as follows: <br />1) Plant alfalfa in the spring with a cover crop of oats and irrigate <br />2) Harvest the oats when mature <br />3) Manage the alfalfa stand for five to seven years - The length of time will depend on the <br />vigor and productivity of the alfalfa plants <br />4) When the production of the alfalfa stand declines, plow /disk d the, alfalfa and ll� <br />small grains such as oats, wheat, barley, sorghum/sudan grass, o <br />Control broadleaf weeds daring this period of the cropping sequence• <br />5) After one or two years of small grains, replant Alfalfa with a cover crop of oats as in year <br />one. <br />6) Perform all other sound agricultural practices during this cropping sequence such as <br />proper irrigation water management, nutrient pest management, and <br />harvesting. <br />Tfie NaWml P.eamrrce Cancsver -n Sarvicevmds In psMarship with the Amadmn People An Equal Gppodurdy PwAdw and Employer. <br />W aonsene and 3USWn neernl resourem on pdvece lands- <br />