1988-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (53)

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The Barx soil series had been sampled by SCS for characterization purposes as part of soil investigations for LaPlata, Montezuma, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties, Colorado (SCS, May 1981 ). It had also been sampled for characterization as part of the San Juan County, Utah, Central Part, Soil Survey (SCS, May 1985). These data were obtained and reviewed for comparison with Barx data obtained on the PCC Nucla East study area. The site specific Barx data was within the range of characteristics established for the Barx soil series. A disturbed phase of the Barx series was identified in the southeast portion of the Nucla East study area. The map unit complex (D70B), previously classified as the Progresso series by the SCS, contains three individual components; Barx-scalped, Barx-buried, and the Barx series. According to Mel Staats, landowner (personal communication, 3-8-88) and Jack Warren, SCS (personal communication, 3-17-88), this map unit area was land leveled in 1976. The upper soil horizons were excavated from the upland ridge landscape positions and deposited into adjacent swales and drainages. Other isolated topographically flat areas remained undisturbed. These buried, scalped, and undisturbed soil pedons are intimately intermingled throughout this map unit complex. Prime Farmland Determination. The SCS determined that soils identified as prime farmland (where irrigated) would in fact be areas of prime farmland if irrigated by the Colorado Cooperative Ditch Company or another source of proven dependable water for the entire growing season. Document 9-5-1 is a letter from Mr. Jack Warren, SCS District Conservationist for Montrose County, Colorado, and states the position of SCS concerning prime farmland on the Nucla East study area. The Barx fine sandy loam soil, 1 to 3 percent slopes and 3 to 6 percent slopes, is considered prime if irrigated with a proven dependable water supply for the entire growing season. Apparently, the water supply criteria have been met for the study area. The PCC soil survey confirmed that the Barx soil (map unit 70B) is present. The soil maps depict the spatial occurrences of the Barx soil . With exception to the included farmyards, roads, fences, and irrigation ditches, these areas, consisting of approximately 153 acres in the survey area, should be considered prime farmland. The PCC soil survey confirmed that a disturbed phase of the Barx series (map unit D7013) is present within the Nucla East study area. The soil maps depict the spacial occurrence (20 acres) of the disturbed phase of the Barx series. The hayland portion of this map unit, consisting of 15.0 acres, satisfies the criteria for prime farmland (SCS, October 1982). 9-5-21 Revised 08/19/88