2012-06-20_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (63)

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• o NRCS Nahwal Resources Conservation Service jim.boyd @co.usdagov P.O. Boyd, Resource Conservationist 970327- 4245-OFFICE Norwood, , 81423 P Box 970- 327 - 4247 -FAX CO C July 11, 2006 Ross Gubka Western Fuels Colorado P.O. Box 628 Nucla, CO 81424 United States Department of Agriculture Dear Mr. Gubka: Upon assessment of the reclaimed irrigated pastures at the Western Fuels Coal Mine near Nucla, Colorado, it is my professional judgment that the irrigated pastures east of Montrose County 2700 Road have limited production potential due to the following reasons: 1) The soils prior to mining and reclamation were shallow with low water holding • capacity, approximately 18 inches to unweathered bedrock 2) The fields generally have a southern aspect, with a slope ranging from 3 to 30 percent, which increases the plant evapotranspiration rates and the droughtiness of the site. 3) Due to the droughtiness of this site, supplemental irrigation is needed early in the spring in order to satisfy crop water requirements, commonly before the irrigation water is delivered by the Colorado Cooperative Ditch Company. Because these soil types are.limited in their production potential, they are not typically irrigated in the Nucla area_ Instead, they are normally managed as rangeland or dryland pasture. As a result, there are few production records for irrigated pasture and hay for these soil types. The agronomic management of these irrigated pastures by Western Fuels Colorado has been reviewed by me and is consistent with NRCS pasture and hayland management standards. In the end, a realistic production goal for the above mentioned irrigated pastures is: one ton/acre of bailed hay in June (first cutting). If you have any farther questions concerning my assessment of the reclaimed irrigated pastures on the Western Fuels Coal Mine, please contact me. - Sincerely, .- • j;:. • ® • Jim Boyd CS Resource: Conservationist The Natural Resource Conservation Service works in partnership with the American People to conserve and sustain naturei resources on private lands. • r. An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.