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West Elk Mine <br />2.04.9 Soils Resource Information <br />History of Soil Surveys at the West Elk Mine <br />During the summer of 1976, the soils of the West Elk Mine study area (flap 3) were mapped. <br />Throughout the soil survey, mapping units were used to characterize the soils in the mine area. <br />These survey mapping units were combinations of Soil Families or selected Great Groups and Sub- <br />groups according to the system of soil taxonomy used in the rational Soil Program of the United <br />States (USDA 1976). <br />Subsequent to the 1976 mapping, the Soil Conservation Service mapped the soil on pm°ate, state, <br />and BLM lands (SCS 1981) providing soil descriptions based on soil series, soil associations, <br />and soil wmplexes. <br />During the summer of 1993, the soils of the Gnnnicnn rational Forest (including the existing <br />mine permit area, the Jumbo Mountain lease tract, and the Box Canyon lease tract) were mapped <br />following criteria and descriptions contained in the Soil Conservation Service soil survey of the <br />Paonia, Colorado area (SUDA-SCS, 1981). Any discrepancies in soil mapping units can be <br />attributed to the change in soil classification nomenclature during the time between the mapping <br />efforts. <br />The 1976 survey was a general reconnaissance of study area soils. The mapping units w=ere <br />broad in concept and the level of cartographic detail represented in the original mapping was <br />designed with regard for the rough, mountainous topography of the survey area. <br />A baseline soils study was conducted in October 1995 for the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area. <br />Soil sampling was performed in accordance with Rules 2.04.9 and 4.06, and current <br />recommended soil sampling methods. This report is included in Exhibit 70, Appendix M. <br />The current soil survey presents general mapping of soil series and associations based on aerial <br />photography, vegetation types, and field reconnaissance. The maps provide a general overview <br />of the soils in and adjacent to the permit area Characteristics of soil series which occurred or <br />may occur in the disturbed areas are discussed in detail below. <br />In 1980, a 1~` Order soil survey was conducted on the affected area The West Elk Mine site 1" <br />Order soil survey was based on a 3"d Order survey of the Paonia area performed by the SCS in <br />1974. A representation of the SCS mapping of the West Elk Mine surface facilities azea and the <br />upper refuse disposal area is shown on Figure 15. It is most probable that the SCS delineation of <br />mapping unit boundaries is based only on vegetation cover and gross topographic changes and <br />does not reflect the intensive field checking that was performed during the 1 n Order survey <br />described below. <br />~~ <br />20tI26 Rnired- IlN6 PR07; Revised Jm~. 1997IR79; Almdr 20Q6PR10 <br />