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the areas corresponding to Chiles, Meehan and Nygren Draws, which are described on Map <br />2.04.10 -1 - Permit Area Vegetation Map and on Map 2.04.3 -1 - Land Use Map. On these two <br />maps, the potential AVF areas in these three areas are described as corresponding to the Wetland <br />vegetation type and the Grazingland Land - Subirrigated land use type. In Chiles Draw, soil test <br />pits GL -2 and GL -14, in Meehan Draw, soil test pits ME -16, ME- 18ME -19, ME -21, ME -22, and <br />ME -23; and in Nygren Draw soils test pit R -11 were dug. Detailed soils profile descriptions <br />were recorded for each of these sites, which are found in Appendix 2.04.9 -1, Soil Pedon <br />Descriptions and photographs of each of these soil pits are found in Appendix 2.04.9 -2, Soils <br />Test Pit Photographs. <br />Examination of Map 2.04.9 -1, NRCS Soils Map, indicates that these areas were largely mapped <br />by the NRCS as corresponding to soils mapping unit 10, Aquolls, 0 to 3 percent slopes. As <br />discussed in Section 2.04.9 - Soils Resource Information, the slopes found on these sites do not <br />correspond to the accepted NRCS mapping unit descriptions. According to the on -line edition of <br />the NRCS soils survey, which is also found in Section 2.04.9 - Soils Resource Information, soils <br />mapping unit 10, typically corresponds to the slough or floodplain geologic landforms and <br />consist of parent materials consisting of "alluvium derived from mixed sources." Examination of <br />the on -site soil pedon descriptions, which were used to prepare Map 2.04.9 -2 - NHN Soils Map, <br />these areas clearly do not correspond to the floodplain geological landform and more correctly <br />correspond to the slough or wetland landform, which is what they are called in the WFC soils, <br />vegetation and land use environmental discussions. With respect to Nygren Draw, all of the soils <br />in this area, were disturbed by previous mining and as are discussed in the text of Section 2.04.9 <br />- Soils Resource Information, the NRCS soils mapping in this area is clearly erroneous. The <br />subsoil materials in Nygren Draw consist entirely of regraded overburden materials. Thus, in <br />summary, these site specific soils' test pits clearly confirm that all of the existing soils in Chiles, <br />Meehan and Nygren Draws, which are mapped as wetland vegetations or Grazingland - <br />Subirrigated land use types are not composed of "unconsolidated stream -laid deposits" and thus <br />cannot be considered to meet the criteria of AVF's. <br />With respect to the soil characteristics associated with the proposed Tuttle Draw equipment <br />corridor, it can be observed from Map 2.04.9 -1, NRCS Soils Map, that all of this area has been <br />mapped as corresponding to the Nyswonger Silty Clay Loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes, soil mapping <br />unit. According to the discussion found in Section 2.04.9 - Soils Resource Information taken <br />from the on -line NRCS soils survey, the Nyswonger soils are typically found on "alluvial fan, <br />valley floor, terrace" landforms and that the parent materials for this soil mapping unit typically <br />consist of materials derived from "alluvium derived from sandstone and shale." However, it <br />must be pointed out that the NRCS soils mapping in this area, when compared to the topographic <br />information, reveals that the segment on the extreme north side of Tuttle Draw has a 15 percent <br />slope and on the immediate south side of Tuttle Draw has an average slope of 10 percent. This <br />topographic information clearly documents that the NRCS mapping of this site is based upon the <br />general mapping unit characteristics and not the site specific conditions of this site. In addition, <br />to the non - conformity of the topographic characteristics, the several days spent performing the <br />wetland survey of this site reveals that the area of Tuttle Draw in the vicinity of the proposed <br />equipment corridor crossing does not consist of alluvial geologic materials, and hence cannot be <br />considered to meet the definition of an AVF. <br />Section 2.06.8 Page 4 April 2011 <br />