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SOIL MAPPING <br /> The U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service publication Soil Surygy of San Joaquin County. <br /> California indicates the presence of Capay, El Solyo,Vernalis and Zacharias soil series on the <br /> subject property. This soil study confirms the presence of the listed soil series. However, the <br /> boundaries of the soil series appear to be different than those on the S.C.S. map. The objective <br /> of the S.M.A.R.A. guidelines is to catalog the existing soil resources. Sufficient work was <br /> performed in this soil study to meet that objective with an emphasis on identifying prime and <br /> non-prime agricultural soils. Re-drawing the existing soil series boundaries was not a primary <br /> consideration of this study and is not required by S.M.A.R.A. Soil type boundaries were <br /> adjusted only where sufficient data was available. The balance of the soil boundaries were left as <br /> originally mapped. Xerofluents were not identified on this parcel in the U.S.D.A. soil survey, <br /> however, the backhoe excavations revealed the existence of Xerofluents in a north west area on <br /> the property. Thus,the soil type boundaries on the Soil Conservation Service map were adjusted <br /> to include the Xerofluvents (see Appendix A Soil Map). Each of the mapped soil type areas may <br /> have small inclusions or complexes of other soil types within them. <br /> RESULTS AND DISCUSSION <br /> SOIL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROFILES <br /> Soil physical characteristics impact root development and plant growth. Some physical <br /> properties to consider are bulk density, soil consistence, depth and texture (see Appendix B <br /> Glossary of Terms). The existing soils have a friable consistence for the most part, however,the <br /> subsoils observed in Sites 9 and 10 were firm or compacted. Firm or compacted subsoils can <br /> limit root development and water percolation. <br /> The soil depth in the existing soils is sufficient at most Sites for agricultural uses. The subsoils <br /> at Sites 7 and 8 (Xerofluents) are gravelly and highly stratified. This would limit rooting depth, <br /> water percolation and productivity of deep rooted crops. The location of sites with stratified or <br /> firm subsoils are indicated on the soil maps (see Appendix A). <br /> Soil structure is typically crumb in the plow layer(AP horizon), blocky or prismatic in the B <br /> _ horizons (mid to lower profile) and structureless (massive) in the C horizons (deepest layers, <br /> parent materials). The soil structures observed at each of the selected backhoe excavation sites <br /> are recorded in the soil profile descriptions (See Appendix B). <br /> The Capay series is a deep, moderately well drained, clay loam textured soil above a gravelly <br /> clay loam . <br /> The El Solyo complex observed on the subject property is a deep, well drained, clay loam surface <br /> soil over a loamy subsoil. <br /> The Vernalis series consists of a very deep, well drained loam to clay loam surface soil underlain <br /> by a loam subsoil. A gravelly sandy loam or gravelly loam layer is beneath the loam subsoil. <br /> 5 <br />