HomeMy WebLinkAbout20001460.tiff EXHIBIT I - SOILS
The soils on the 110 acres being reviewed for this amendment area consists
mainly of the soil type termed Altvan, which is a deep, well-drained, fine sandy
loam found on slopes of 6% or less. The soil was formed on calcareous gravelly
alluvium. The two other types of soil found in the proposed amendment area
consist of Cascajo gravelly sandy loam and Haverson loam. The land comprised
of the Cascajo and Haverson soil types will not be mined on this permit
amendment.
Soil types for the amendment area are shown on Exhibit C, Pre-Mining and
Mining Plan Map. A brief description of the soils is also found on Exhibit C. A
more detailed description of the soils found within this proposed amendment area
follows. The information on soils was obtained from the United States
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service.
2000-1460
29 [in
detailed soil map units
The map units on the detailed soil maps at the back of This survey includes miscellaneous areas. Such areas
this survey represent the soils in the survey area. The have little or no soil material and support little or no
map unit descriptions in this section, along with the soil vegetation. Badland is an example. Miscellaneous areas
maps, can be used to determine the suitability and are shown on the soil maps. Some that are too small to
potential of a soil for specific uses. They also can be be shown are identified by a special symbol on the soil
used to plan the management needed for those uses. maps.
More information on each map unit, or soil, is given Table 1 gives the acreage and proportionate extent of
under "Use and management of the soils." each map unit. Other tables (see "Summery of tables")
Each map unit on the detailed soil maps represents an give properties of the soils and the limitations,
area on the landscape and consists of one or more soils capabilities, and potentials for many uses. The Glossary
for which the unit is named. defines many of the terms used in describing the soils.
A symbol identifying the soil precedes the map unit
name in the soil descriptions. Each description includes unit descriptions
general facts about the soil and gives the principal map P
hazards and limitations to be considered in planning for
specific uses. 1—Altvanfine sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes.
' Soils that have profiles that are almost alike ,naKe up - this deigP, well drained soil is on smooth to moderately
l a soil series. Except for differences in texture of the dissected plains. It formed in calcareous gravelly
surface layer or of the underlying material, all the soils of alluvium.
j a series have major horizons that are similar in Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown fine
composition, thickness, and arrangement. sandy loam 6 inches thick. The subsoil is sandy clay
'Y Soils of one series can differ in texture of the surface loam 16 inches thick. The substratum is calcareous
layer or of the underlying material. They also can differ in sandy clay loam 5 inches thick over gravelly coarse sand
• depth of 60 inches or more. In some
slope, stoniness, salinity, wetness, degree of erosion, that extends to a de P
and other characteristics that affect their use. On the areas the surface layer is loam.
basis of such differences, a soil series is divided into soil Included in this unit are small areas of Ascalon fine
phases. Most of the areas shown on the detailed soil sandy loam, Peetz gravelly sandy loam, and Cascajo
maps are phases of soil series. The name of a soil gravelly sandy loam.
phase commonly indicates a feature that affects use or Permeability of this Altvan soil is moderate. Available
management. For example, Ascalon fine sandy loam, 0 water capacity is moderate. Effective root ng depth is 60
to 6 percent slopes, is one of several phases in the inches or more. Runoff is slow to medium, and the
Ascalon series. hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate. The
• Some map units are made up of two or more major hazard of soil blowing is moderate.
soils. These map units are called soil complexes. This unit is used for nonirrigated crops and as
A soil complex consists of two or more soils in such rangeland. Winter wheat is the main crop.
e an intricate pattern or in such small areas that they This unit is suited to winter wheat, oarley, oats, and
cannot be shown separately on the soil maps. The sorghum. Because precipitation is not sufficient for
pattern and proportion of the soils are somewhat similar annual cropping, a cropping system that includes small
t in all areas. Kim-Mitchell complex is an example. grain and summer fallow is most suitable. Precipitation
Most map units include small scattered areas of soils usually is too low for crops on this unit to make efficient
other than those for which the map unit is named. Some use of fertilizer.
of these included soils have properties that differ Maintaining crop residue on or near the surface
substantially from those of the major soil or soils. Such reduces runoff, reduces soil blowing, and helps to
differences could significantly affect use and maintain soil tilth and organic matter content. Stubble
management of the soils in the map unit. The included mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum tillage help to
soils are identified in each map unit description. Some control erosion and conserve moisture. Terraces reduce
small areas of strongly contrasting soils are identified by runoff and the risk of erosion and help to conserve
a special symbol on the soil maps. moisture.
)
Soil su
i
The potential plant community on this unit is mainly use on this unit are proper range use, deterred grazin
blue grama, needleandthread, western wheatgrass, and and rotation grazing. If the plant cover is disturbed,
prairie sandreed. The average annual production of air- protection from erosion is needed. Loss of the surface
dry vegetation ranges from 500 to 1,600 pounds. layer results in a severe decrease in productivity and
If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred the potential of the soil to produce pants suitable for
forage plants decreases and the proportion of less grazing.
preferred forage plants increases. Therefore, livestock This unit is well suited to windbreaks and
grazing should be managed so that the desired balance environmental plantings. Supplemental irrigation may
of preferred species is maintained in the plant needed when planting and during dry periods.
community. This map unit is in capability subclass Vle,
Range seeding is suitable if the range is in poor nonirrigated, and in Loamy Plains range site.
condition. The plants selected for seeding should meet
the seasonal requirements of livestock or wildlife, or 3—Arglustolls-Rock outcrop cornplex, 0 to 9
both. Other management practices that are suitable for percent slopes. This map unit is on slightly dissecter
use on this unit are proper range use, deferred grazing, moderately dissected plains.
and rotation grazing. If the plant cover is disturbed, This unit is about 45 percent Argiustolls and about
protection from erosion is needed. Loss of the surface percent Rock outcrop. The individual components of
layer results in a severe decrease in productivity and in unit are in areas so narrow that it was not practical to
the potential of the soil to produce plants suitable for map them separately at the scale used.
grazing. Included in this unit are small areas of Olney, Reno
This unit is well suited to windbreaks and and Stoneham soils. Included areas make up about 2
environmental plantings. Supplemental irrigation may be percent of the total acreage.
needed when planting and during dry periods. Argiustolls are deep, well drained, dark-colored soil
This map unit is in capability subclass IVe, The surface layer is loam, fine sandy loam, or silt loai
nonirrigated, and in Loamy Plains range site. The subsoil is sandy clay loam, clay loam, or silty cla
loam. The content of clay in the subsoil increases wit
2—Altvan fine sandy loam, 6 to 9 percent slopes. depth. The substratum is calcareous loam, silt loam, r
This deep, well drained soil is on highly dissected plains. sandy loam.
It formed in calcareous gravelly alluvium. Permeability of the Argiustolls is moderate. Availab'
Typically, the surface layer is dark grayish brown fine water capacity is moderate to high. Effective rooting
sandy loam 3 inches thick. The subsoil is sandy clay depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium to rapi'
loam 16 inches thick. The substratum is calcareous and the hazard of water erosion is slight to high. The
sandy clay loam 4 inches thick over gravelly coarse sand hazard of soil blowing is moderate.
'that extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. In some Rock outcrop consists mainly of exposed areas of
areas the surface layer is loam. sandstone scattered throughout the unit.
Included in this unit are small areas of Ascalon fine This unit is used as rangelanc'.
sandy loam, Peetz gravelly sandy loam, and Cascajo The potential plant community on the Argiustolls is
gravelly sandy loam. mainly blue grama, western wheatgrass, sedges, and
Permeability of this Altvan soil is moderate. Available buffalograss. The average annual production of air-dr
water capacity is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60 vegetation ranges from 400 to 1,500 pounds.
inches or more. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferr
water erosion is high. The hazard of soil blowing is forage plants decreases and the proportion of less
moderate. preferred forage plants increases. Therefore, livestoc
This unit is used as rangeland. grazing should be managed so that the desired balar
The potential plant community on this unit is mainly of preferred species is maintained in the plant
blue grama, needleandthread, western wheatgrass, and community.
prairie sandreed. The average annual production of air- Management practices that are suitable for use on
dry vegetation ranges from 400 to 1,400 pounds. unit are proper range use, deferred grazing, and rotat
If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred grazing. If the plant cover is disturbed, protection fror
forage plants decreases and the proportion of less erosion is needed. Loss of the surface layer results it
preferred forage plants increases. Therefore, livestock severe decrease in productivity and n the potential o
grazing should be managed so that the desired balance the soil to produce plants suitable for grazing.
of preferred species is maintained in the plant This unit is poorly suited to windbreaks and
community. environmental plantings. It is limited mainly by the are
Range seeding is suitable if the range is in poor of Rock outcrop.
condition. The plants selected for seeding should meet This map unit is in capability subclass VIs,
I the seasonal requirements of livestock or wildlife, or nonirrigated. The Argiustolls are in Loamy Plains rant
,I' both. Other management practices that are suitable for site.
%' 20—Cascajo gravelly sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent 23—Dacono clay loam. 0 to 6 percent slopes.
slopes. his deep, excessively drained soil is on deep, welt Grained sod is on plains and adjacent stream
backslopes and shoulders of moderately This
highly dissected upland rioges and breaks.i It dissected
in terraces.ypically formed
surface layers dark grayisn brown clay
calcareous gravelly alluvium. Slopes are concave. Areas loam Typically,
thick. The upper 3 incloamy
saof the uosot s
are long and narrow and are 20 to 1.000 acres. clay loam, and the lower 8 inches 9 y The
Typi ally, 15 tc 36 percent of fie surface is coverec of the suostratum is calcareous clay loam 6 inches thin.
with gravel and cobbles. The surface la er is darkupore ps
er Pa
grayish brown gravelly sane loam 3 inches and the lower part tc a depth of 50
next layer is calcareous very y thick. The sandy clay loam over calcareous very gravelly inches cir rtoamy
nd and sand.
21 inches thick, Below this o a depthlof 60 inches or se nc s Included in this
unit are si !!
more is calcareous very gravelly loamy coarse sena. Nunn clay loam, and Nunn, loam`reas of Haveson loan-.Included in this unit are small areas of soils. on Permeability of this Dacono soil is moderately sow
backsiopes. shoulders, and crests of upland ridges and Available water capacity is moderate. Effective rooting •
breaks, that have fine-grained sandstone or siltstone at a depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium„ and the
dep. of 20 t 40 inches. Rock outcrop on snouipers hazard of water erosion is slight to moderate. The
and crests of upland ridges and breaks: and Otero sandy hazard of soil blowing is slight.
loam and Stoneham tine sans, loan-. o:; the lower parts inis unit, is used as nonirrigated cr i n
of backslo es andridges
P on upland and °reeks. rangeland. Winter wheat is t :r a d and
Included areas mike u^ `acou: 2_ °e_e g' tale t°—, his unit is well suitec to winte2wnear. Gate
acreage. Inc percentage vanes from one ale-c to and sorghum. The y oats.
h_.
dnvTrc:. •. .. fire tcXiJ'c ,^.` the $:::tacc :aye: umti5
Permeability of this Cascajo soil is moderately rapid to precipthe itation is nots tnat suff be icient fors this
in al cr Because
opp rig,
a depth cf 3 inches and rapid below this oeptn. Aveiiaoie cropping system that includes small grainand gig. a
water tenacity is moderate. Effe'c'tive room: depth is 6c fallow is most suitaoie- Precipitation usually s too low for
inches or more. Runoff is medium. and the hazard of crops on this unit to make efficient use of fertilize:.
water erosion is moderate to very nign. The hazard of Maintaining crop residue on or near the surface
soil blowing is slight. reduces runoff, reduces soil blowing, and helps to
~
Most areas of this unit are used as rangeland. A few maintain soil fifth and organic matter content. Stubble..
areas are used as a source of gravel.
The otential plant c y _ mulch farming, striperopping, and minimum taces help t
P o- muni • on this unit is mainly control erosion and conserve moisture. Terraces reduce
blue grama, little bluestem, sideoats grama, and prairie runoff and the risk of erosion and help to conserve
sandreed. The average annual production of air-dry moisture.
vegetation ranges from 500 to 1.200 pounds. The potential plant community on this unit is
If.the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred blue grama, western wheatgrass, fourwing sattbush,land
forage plants decreases and the proportion of less buffalograss- The average annual production cf air-dry
preferred forage plants increases. Therefore, livestock vegetation ranges from 400 to 1,300 pounds.
grazing should be managed so that the desired balance If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred
of preferred species is maintained in the plant forage plants decreases and the proportion of less
community. preferred foraeAreas that are heavily infested with undesirable plants grazing should be increases.
antsag de so that the desired balance
can be improved by proper grazing management. of preferred species is maintained in the plant
Management practices that are suitable for use on this community,
unit are proper range use, deferred grazing, and rotation Range seeding is suitable if the range is in poor
grazing. Mechanical treatment is not practical because of condition. The plants selected for seeding should meet
the stony surface and the steepness of slope. If the the seasonal requirements of livestock or wildlife, or plant cover is disturbed, protection from erosion is both. Other management practices that are suitable for
needed. Loss of the surface layer results in a severe use on this unit are proper range use, deferred grazing,
decrease in productivity and in the potential of the soil.in and rotation grazing. If the plant cover is disturbed,
this unit to produce plants suitable for grazing. Slope protection from erosion is needed. Loss of the surface
limits acrlop by livestock and results in overgrazing of layer results in a severe decrease in productivity and in
the less sloping areas. the potential of the soil to produce plants suitable for This unit is poorly suited to windbreaks and grazing.
environments' plantings. The main limitations are the This unit is well suited to windbreaks and
environmental plantings. Supplemental irrigation may be
large accumulations of lime and moderate available
water capacity. Supplemental irrigation may be needed
whey needed when planting and during dry periods.
planting and during dry penoas. Summer fallow, This map unit is in capability subclass WE,
cultivation for weed control, and selection of adapted
'ants are needed to insure establishment and survival nonirrigated, and in Clayey Plains range site.
seedlings.
This map unit is in capability subclass V!i,
nooimgateo, and in Gravel Breaks range site.
29—Haver_ steam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This
ae , well drainec soli is on how plains and adjacent 40—Nunn loam. 0 to 6 percent sic
stream terraces. It formed in stratified, calcareous, loam • well m terra soil is t on slightly calcareous
pains and
alluvium
alluvium. Y stream terraces. It formed in calcareous loamy alluvium
Typically, the surface layer is Dale brown and lightTypically'. Inc surface layer is grayisn brown loam 7
brownish gray loam 12 inches thick. The underlying inches thick. The subsoil is clay loam F5 incnes truck.
materia, to a oeptn of 60 lcnes or more is very fine The calcareous t: a . In of 6� clones or more is
• sandy loam and loam stratified with lenses . calcareous clay loam. In some areas the surface layer i
foamy sand, antl clay loam. The soil is calcareous sated cia>� feat-:.
throughout. Included in trio unit are Sma" 2 825 C'' Ava r is sanc
Included in tnis unit are small areas of Nunn loam and Dloam and c Manzanoia clay loam.
Nunn clay loam. a'i:.) 0. ..�.a f:,:n so;; is :≥ION. Ava,iaoie water
nnclay
this Haverson is moderate. capacity is high. Effective rooting aeptn is 60 inches or
Av Permeability of capacity isv rso ,.soil Effective roonn_ deptn more. Runoff is medium
is 60 inches wateror more. Runoff is slow to medium. and theis to a^� the h 2r„ of water errs o
slight unit
moderate. The hazard o' soli nc and is sign:
hazarc of water erosion is soon:. Tne hazard o= Soil 'h" ..^.ft is ..Se., as at is t e ma I,rO
blowing is mode-ate. This soil is subject to brie' periods p'°nc and
rangeland. Winter wheat r. the mart co:.
•
o`'ll0odt.i_ ir. s�ring, and SUMMe:. sora- This un i5 c .o- e�
Most areas o`. this unit are used as ran Ee:a se,:. Low annual s no: d2tio^ is the main limitation.
rangeland. A few
areas are use: as hrhlmzaied cropland. Writes whoa: 15 _c_a_se ;radi :tat:on• is no: that includes
.
the main crop. cropping, a cr. h: to antra
cropping system that ie Pr es smzb cu s-
Tne potent,, plant community on this unit is mainly a-.:: sc vier facoti on most suraohe. ?re:epltauon usually
western wheatgrass, fourwing saltbush, switchgrass, is too low for crops this unit to make
green needlearass, and blue fertilizer.
efficient use o
grarna. The average annual Maintaininc crop residue -:
production, Of air-cry vegetation ranges from 1,000 to or near n = s 1p,"=to
3,500 pounds. reduces rand f, reduces soil blowing, arc helps to
• If me range is overgrazed, the proportion ofpreferred htai 50.: .„.. `n` organic matter con ienL Stuoole-
,. forage plants decreases and the mulch farming, striperoppig, and minimum tillage help to
forage
forage an increases.andtproportion eio livelstock control erosion and conserve moisture. Terraces reduce
grazing should be managed so that the desired balance morunistf and the risk of erosion and help to conserve
re.
of prefered species is malntalneo in the plant m01he potential
community. Range seeding is suitable if the range is in The potential plant community on this unit is mainly
poor condition. The plants selected for seeding should buffaloblue g.amn, western rass. The rage annual
sedges, and
meet: the seasonal requirements of livestock wildlife, vegetation ranges from 500 to 1,500 pounds.of air-dry
or both. Other management practices that are suitable
for use on this unit are proper range use, deferred If the range is overgrazed, the proportion of preferred
grazing, and rotation grazing. If the plant cover is forage plants decreases and the proportion ,Clots
rred forage Plarits incase& Therefore, livestock
disturbed, protection from erosion is needed. Loss of the grazprefing should be managed so that the desired balance
surface layer results in a severe decrease in productivity of preferred species is maintained in the plant
and in the potential of the soil to produce plants suitable community.
for grazing.
This unit is suited to wheat, barley, oats, and Range seeding is suitable if the range is in poor
sorghum is suite to winter on is e not sufficient ey,oafor condition. The plants selected for seeding should meet
or
annual cropping, a cropping system that includes small the seasonal requirements of practices that h or are
suitable ita,
grain and summer fallow is most suitable. Precipitation both.se Other unit management properg ere for
usually is too low for crops on this & and rotationon this are . Ifth plant cover e. is disturbed,
grazing,
use of fertilize:.
unit to make efficient and grazing. If the plant is disturbed,
Maintaining crop residue on or the protection from erosion is needed. Loss of the surface
redues soli blowing and side on to near a the
soil surface tilth and layer results in a severe decrease in produ.:tiviry and in
era ing. of the soil to produce plants suitable for
organic matter content. Stubble-mulch farming,
striperopping, and minimum tillage help to control erosion gfc2 is
and conserve moisture. Terraces reduce v and Tris unit is plantings.suited Supplemental s ane.
risk of erosion and help to conserve moisture. the needed whenl plantinga dug dryp d may be
This unit is well suited to windbreaks and needed when itis and during dry subclass periods.IVs,
environmental plantings. It is limited mainly by brief This map unit is in capability Pla nge IVe,
periods of flooding. Supplemental irrigation may be nonirrigated, and in Loamy Plains range site.
needed when pianting ano ounng cry periods.
This map unit is in capability subclass IVe,
nonirricated, and in Overflow range site.
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