2012-02-16_REVISION - M2002020 (9)

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Soil Information At the end of this exhibit are some printouts from the NRCS website that describe many of the typical characteristics of the soils present on the site. Please refer to Exhibit C -2, Soils Map, for an illustration showing the distribution of the soils. According to the Web Soil Survey (United States Department of Agriculture, NRCS, 2004) of the Greeley West Pit, there are three major soil types within the proposed project site: The historic location of these soil types is illustrated on Exhibit C -2, Soils Map. Most of the proposed amendment area has been previously disturbed by mining activities. Soils depicted on the map have been disturbed by post- survey mining operations and currently exist primarily as a mixture of Aquolls, Aquents, and Kim Loam. Aquolls and Aquents The Aquolls and Aquants are deep, level and nearly level, poorly drained soils formed in alluvium. Located on flood plains along major streams throughout the area, this soil type is found in areas that are subject to flooding. It is also the most dominant soil type within the proposed project site. The water table is at or near the surface early in spring and recedes to as deep as 48 inches late in fall. Areas containing these soils are used mainly for rangeland and wildlife habitat. The potential is good for development of wetland wildlife habitat and also as a source of sand and gravel. Wetness and the hazard of flooding are the main limitations in farming and for most other purposes. Kim Loam Borrow Pits 1. Aquolls and Aquents, gravelly substratum 2. Kim loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, and 3. Borrow Pits EXHIBIT I The Kim loam soil type, present within the proposed amendment area is deep and nearly level to moderately sloping. Typically found in alluvial fans and plains, this soil type is derived from sedimentary rock and mixed eolian deposits. It is well- drained and depth to the restrictive layer is more than 80 inches. These soils are used principally as native pastureland, however, they are used as dry or irrigated cropland in some localities. Native vegetation typically consists of short grasses, of which blue grama predominates. Wetness and hazard of flooding are the main limitations to farming and most other purposes. The potential is good for development of wetland wildlife habitat and rangeland. No true topsoil exists. Contains gravelly sand and coarse sand from the ground surface to variable depths. Borrow Pits may contain water. Greeley 25 Avenue Site DRMS 112 Permit Amendment Application Page 25