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HomeMy WebLinkAbout990615.tiff EXHIBIT I AND J SOIL INFORMATION VEGETATIVE INFORMATION 990615 ear salmi WEST GREELEY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT 4302 WEST 9'$STREET ROAD GREELEY, COLORADO 80634 (970) 356-6506 May 14, 1998 Greg Nelson Weld County Public Works 933 N. 11th Ave Greeley, CO 80631 Mr. Nelson: 1s a representative of the West Greeley Soil Conservation District, I visited the site of the proposed Larson Gravel Pits on May 7. This pit is out of our district boundaries, but I spoke with the Brighton NRCS employee who performs the site evaluations for the Platte Valley Soil Conservation District and received her permission to do the site evaluation, as they have a heavy work load at this time. I spoke with her again afterwards and we agreed that we have no objections to the proposed gravel mining operation. We would only ask that proper reclamation procedures be followed and the settling ponds maintained to allow only clear water to be discharged into the South Platte. If seeding recommendations are needed we would be glad to assist. Sincerely, U Michael Shay District Manager 990&/ SOIL CONSERVATION RESEEDING AND RECLAMATION Bearson Gravel Pit Grading will be carried out to create a topography appropriate tb the final land use, which is a pond on pasture land. Pit side slopes should be groomed to 3:1 or flatter. The seeding mix should contain per acre: 2.4 lbs. Arriba Western Wheatgrass, 0.9 lbs. Vaughn Sideoats Grama, 0.15 lbs. Lovington Blue Grama, 0.35 lbs. Pastura Little Bluestem, 0.50 lbs. Llano Indiangrass, 0.55 lbs. Kaw Big Bluestem, 0.5 lbs. Lodorm Green Needlegrass. See page 2 to obtain specific time tables for planting information. Grazing must be excluded for 2 years or more following seeding. A fence may be required. r�qo ea/5� 44, a' soil survey# v: F t Weld CouyColorado Southern Part United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station EXHIBIT I a9 990 ea,s I I ;. 124 SOIL SURVEY ii TABLE 12.--ENGINEERING PROPERTIES AND CLASSIFICATIONS • •I [The symbol < means less than; > means greater than. Absence of an entry means data were not estimated] 1 1 Classification IFrag- ; Percentage passing Soil name and Depth; USDA texture I I Iments ; sieve number-- Liquid P1 map symbol I I Unified AASHTO ; > 3 ; 1 ; 1 limit I ti I I ; ;inches; 4 I 10 I 40 1200 in IIn ; I I Pct ; I I ; Pct ,I I I I 1, 2 1 0-10;Loam ICL-ML A-4 0 X90-100 85-100160-95 50-75 , 20-30 5 Altvan ;10-25:Clay loam, loam ;CL A-6, A-7 0 95-100 95-100185-100 70-80 1 35-50 15 '25-60;Sand and gravel SP, SP-SM A-1 0 75-95 70-90 (25-35 0-10 N 3*; - 1 I Aquolls 0-48:Variable --- , --- --- --- --- --- , -- - 48-60;Sand, gravelly SP, SP-SMIA-1 . 0-10 ,60-90 50-70 30-50, , 0-10 , --- N I 1 ; ''sand. ; I I 1 I 1 II Aquents 0-4BlVariable --- ; --- --- --- --- --- --- ' --- - 48-60;Sand and gravel SP, SP-SM;A-1 0-10 60-90 50-70 ;30-50 I 0-10 1 --- N , 4�; I Aquolls 0-60:Variable --- --- ' --- I --- --- I --- I --- --- - - 1 I I 1 Aquepts 0-60 Variable I --- --- --- --- --- I --- I --- I --- - Jr , 5, 6, 7 0-8 Sandy loam ISM A-2, A-4 0 95-100 90-10070-95 125-50 115-25 ; NP Ascalon 8-18 Sandy clay loam ;SC, CL A-6 0 95-100,90-100 80-100140-55 120-40 ; 10 l5 18-60 Sandy loam, :SC, A-4, A-6 0 95-100195-100 75-95 135-65 20-40 ; 5 , sandy clay I SM-SC, , �` loam, fine ; CL, I 1. sandy loam. 1 CL-ML , , ; 1 ; I 8, 9 0-8 Loam ISM A-2, A-4 0 195-100190-100170-95 25-50 115-25 ; NF Ascalon 8-18 Sandy clay loam 1SC, CL A-6 0 95-100190-100180-100 40-55 , 20-40 1 10 411, 18-60 Sandy loam, ISC, A-4, A-6 0 95-100 95-100 75-95 35-65 1 20-40 5 sandy clay 1 SM-SC, F loam, fine 1 CL, sandy loam. I CL-ML 1 - 10 0-4 Sandy loam ISM A-2, A-4 0 195-100 90-100 60-70 30-40 --- , - N Bankard 4-60 Fine sand, sand,ISP-SM, SM A-2, 0-5 :70-100 60-100 40-70 5-25 --- ; N gravelly sand. A-3, A-1 , I-+ I ; I 11 , 12 0-16 Sandy loam SM 1A-1, A-2 0 195-100 75-100 35-50 20-35 115-25 I-NF Dresser 16-25 Sandy clay loam SC IA-2, 0 95-100 75-100 50-70 30-50 1 30-55 1 1C A-6, ; I A-7 I • I:. 25-30 Sandy loam, SC, SM-SCIA-•2, A-1 0 ,90-100160-100 30-60 20-30 1 25-35,_ 5 coarse sandy I I I 1 930 loam, gravelly I ,1 1 ' +` sandy loam. 1 1 ' ,1 30-60 Loamy coarse SP-SC IA-2, A-1 0-5 180-100135-85 20-50 , 5-10 20-30 I - �_, sand, gravelly 1 I I'; loamy sand, 1 I ' 1 very gravelly 1 1 1 1 21 loamy sand. 1 1 I ' , __ . �) 13 0-9 Gravelly sandy GM A-1, A-2 0-15 150-65 150-60 15-40 110-35 Cascajo loam. • 1 9-31 Very gravelly GP-GM, A-1 0-15 115-50 ;15-50 5-30 10-20 1 --e sandy loam, GP, GM ' very gravelly I e. __4 loamy sand, ; 1 I „I very gravelly 1 1 1 ' _-} sand. 1 1 ' }' 31-60 Very gravelly GP, SP, A-1 0-15 110-60 ;10-60 1 5-30 0-10 -- loamy sand, GP-GM, 1 I 1 1 very gravelly SP-SM ' sand, gravelly sand. I 1 1 ; ; 1 I 'r • ? See footnote at end of table. I 12 SOIL SURVEY This soil has good potential for urban and recreational Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. Th4 development. Increased population growth in the survey cropland areas provide favorable habitat for ring-neck& area has resulted in increased homesite construction. The pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species ca; chief limiting soil features for urban development are the be attracted by establishing areas for nesting and escap4 shrink-swell potential of the subsoil as it wets and dries cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essen and the limited ability of this soil to support a load.Septic tial and should be included in plans for habitat develop tank absorption fields function properly, but community ment, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. Range sewage systems should be provided if the population den- land wildlife, for example, deer and antelope, can be at sity increases. Because of the moderately rapid permea- tracted by managing livestock grazing and reseeding bility of the substratum, sewage lagoons must be sealed. where needed. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well Capability subclass This soil is not suited to urban or recreational develop IIe irrigated. ment because of the flood hazard. Capability subclass 10—Bankatd sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes. This IVw irrigated, Viw nonirrigated; Sandy Bottom lam is a deep, somewhat excessively drained soil on flood range,site. plains at elevations of 4,450 to 5,000 feet. It formed in 11—Bresser sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes. This is stratified recent alluvium along streams and rivers. In- a deep, well drained soil on terraces at elevations of 4,701 eluded in mapping are numerous sand and gravel bars to 4,800 feet. It formed in alluvium deposited by th( and small areas of noncalcareous soils. South Platte River. Included in mapping are small area Typically the surface layer of this Bankard soil is of soils that have sand and gravelly sand in the lowe brown sandy loam about 4 inches thick. The underlying part of the substratum. material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown calcareous Typically the surface layer is grayish brown sandy loan sand stratified with thin lenses of sandy loam, loam, and about 11 inches thick. The subsoil is brown and yellowish fine gravel. brown sandy clay loam about 19 inches thick The sub Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water stratum to a depth of 60 inches is loamy sand. capacity is low.The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or Permeability and available water capacity an more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches o low. more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is This soil is suited to limited cropping. It is sandy and low a subject to flooding. Pasture is the best use. Tall wheat- This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops.It grass, tall fescue, and annual sweetelover are some of the is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area includ most suitable crops. Light, frequent irrigation by furrows ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes and flooding is best. Commercial fertilizer improves the amount and value of forage produced. and onions. An example of a suitable cropping system is The potential native vegetation is dominated by to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage switchgrasa, ;Indian s, sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Few conservation prac sideoats grams, needleandthread, and blue grams. Much tices are needed to maintain top yields. of this range site includes other soils and vegetation in All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow:ir such a complex pattern that it is difficult to map them rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and corn' separately. Potential production ranges from 2,500 pounds mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. per acre in favorable years to 1,500 pounds in unfavorable Windbreaks and environmental plantings are generally suited to this soil. years. As range condition deteriorates, the tall and mid Soil blowing, the principal hazard in grasses decrease; blue grama, sand dropseed, and forbs establishing trees and shrubs, can be controlled by cut increase; and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds tivating only in the tree row and by leaving a strip of and annuals invade the site as range condition becomes vegetation between the rows. Supplemental irrigation poorer. may be needed at the time of planting and during dry Management of vegetation should be based on taking periods. Trees that are best suited and have good survival half and leaving half of the total annual production. Seed- are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern redcedar, ponderosa ing is desirable only in areas large enough to interseed or Pine, Siberian elm, Russian-olive, and hackberry. The to prepare a seedbed. Switchgrass, sand bluestem, sand shrubs best suited are skunkbush sumac, lilac, and SI { reedgrass, sideoats grams,little bluestem,blue grams,pu- an peashrub. bescent wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass are Wildlife is an important secondary use of this," suitable for seeding. This soil can be seeded by using an Ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and many`I! interseeder or a firm, clean sorghum stubble.A grass drill game species can be attracted by establishing areas 4' is required. Seeding early in spring has proven most sue- nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undist cessfuL nesting cover is essential and should be included in P.' This soil is generally not suited to the establishment for habitat development, especially in areas of inte' 1' and growth of trees and shrubs. Onsite investigation is agriculture. needed to determine feasibility and possible tree and This soil has good potential for urban and recreational shrub species. development. Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow we, I u g 1)67/:5 ,. 8 SOIL SURVEY filter the leachate. Sewage lagoons require sealing. 60 percent of the unit. Aquents, which have a lighter Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well Capability subclass colored surface layer, make up about 35 percent. About 5. Its irrigated. percent is Aquepts and Bankard sandy loam. 2—Altvan loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes. This is a deep, These are deep, poorly drained soils that formed in well drained soil on terraces at elevations of 4,500 to 4,900 recent alluvium. No one pedon is typical. Commonly the feet. It formed in old alluvium deposited by the major soils have a mottled, mildly alkaline to moderately al- rivers. Included in mapping are small areas of soils that !reline loamy or clayey surface layer and underlying show evidence of poor drainage. Also included are small, material and are underlain by sand or sand and gravel long and narrow areas of sand and gravel deposits. within 48 inches. In places they have a gleyed layer in the Typically the surface layer of this Altvan soil is grayish underlying material. brown loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is brown Most of the acreage is subject to flooding. The water and light yellowish brown clay loam and sandy clay loam table is at or near the surface early in spring and recedes about 14 inches thick. The substratum is calcareous loamy to as deep as 48 inches late in fall in some years. sand about 5 inches thick over gravelly sand. These soils are used for rangeland and wildlife habitat. Permeability and available water capacity are Some small areas have been reclaimed by major drainage moderate. The effective rooting depth is 20 to 40 inches. and leveling and are used for irrigated crops. Surface runoff is medium, and the erosion hazard is low. The potential native vegetation is dominated by alkali This soil is used almost entirely for irrigated crops. It sacaton, switchgrass, and western wheatgrass. Saltgrass, is suited to all crops commonly grown in the area, includ- sedge, rush, and alkali bluegrass are also prominent. ing corn, sugar beets, beans, alfalfa, small grain, potatoes, potential production ranges from 3,000 pounds per acre in and onions. An example of a suitable cropping system is 3 favorable years to 2,000 pounds in unfavorable years. As to 4 years of alfalfa followed by corn, corn for silage, range condition deteriorates, the switchgrass, alkali sugar beets, small grain, or beans. Land leveling, ditch sacaton, and western wheatgrass decrease and saltgrass, lining, and installing pipelines may be needed for proper sedge, and rush increase. water application. Management of vegetation should be based on taking All methods of irrigation are suitable, but furrow ir- half and leaving half of the total annual production. Seed- rigation is the most common. Barnyard manure and com- ing is difficult and costly because numerous tillage prac- ,j mercial fertilizer are needed for top yields. tices are required to eliminate the saltgrass sod. Windbreaks and environmental of trees and Switchgrass, western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton, tall shrubs commonly grown in the area are are generally well wheatgrass, and tall fescue are suitable for seeding. They suited to this soil. Cultivation to control competing can be seeded into a clean, firm seedbed. Seedbed Itvegetation should be continued for as many years as preparation usually requires more than 1 year to possible following planting. Trees that are best suited and eliminate the saltgrass sod. A grass drill should be used. have good survival are Rocky Mountain juniper, eastern Siberian andSeeding early in spring has proven most successfuL 'P redcedar, ponderosa pine, elm, Russian-olive, hackberry. The shrubs best suited are skunkbusli sumac, Wetland wildlife, especially waterfowl, utilize this unit. The wetland plants provide nesting and protective cover, lilac, Siberian peashrub, and American plum. This soil can produce habitat elements that are highly as well as some food. The nearby irrigated cropland, suitable for openland wildlife including pheasant, cotton- where wildlife obtain much of their food and fmd protec- 14 tail and mourning dove. Sueh crops as wheat corn and tive cover, makes this unit valuable to both wetland and alfalfa provide suitable habitat for openland wildlife, openland wildlife. especially pheasant. Tree and shrub plantings and Openland wildlife, especially pheasant, use this unit for undisturbed nesting cover would enhance openland wil- cover and nesting. Deer fmd excellent cover in some dlife populations. areas. This Altvan soil has fair to good potential for urban These valuable wildlife areas should be protected from and recreational development. The chief limiting soil fea- fire and fenced to prevent encroachment and overuse by tures for urban development are the shrink-swell poten- livestock.They should not be drained. tial of the subsoil as it wets and dries and the rapid These soils have good potential as a source of sand and permeability of the sand and gravel substratum. Septic gravel. Capability subclass VIw; Salt Meadow range site. tank absorption fields function properly, but in places the 4—Aquolls and Aquepts, flooded. This nearly level substratum does not contain enough fines to properly map unit is in depressions in smooth plains and along the ,i filter the leachate. Sewage lagoons require sealing. bottoms of natural drainageways throughout the survey Lawns, shrubs, and trees grow well. Capability subclass area. Aquolls, which have a dark colored surface layer, Ile irrigated. make up about 55 percent of the unit. Aquepts, which 3—Aquolls and Aquents, gravelly substratum. This have a lighter colored surface layer, make up about 25 nearly level map unit is on bottom lands and flood plains percent. About 20 percent is soils that are well drained of all the major streams in the survey area. Aquolls, and soils that have sandstone or shale within 48 inches of which have a dark colored surface layer, make up al-nut the surface. 9 oA/ Hello