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2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan <br />Kittitas County, Washington <br /> <br /> <br />Chapter 3: Community Profile 20 <br />Figure 3-2. USDA Soil Map of Kittitas County <br /> <br /> <br />The load bearing capacity of soil, its hydric properties, erosion potential, and other characteristics all play <br />a significant role in the development of land. Hydric properties in soil indicate the existence of wetlands <br />and signal the potential for other environmental concerns. Soil suitability for structural support and <br />stability is also important in determining the potential for development. Area soil types vary <br />considerably:10F <br />11 <br /> <br />• Soil in the western mountainous portion of the County is more suited for growing forest products <br />than food crop farming. These soils are strongly acidic, gravelly, or rocky, saturated most of the <br />year, and occur in steep areas at high elevations. <br />• Soil in the foothill areas with streams is ideal for growing native trees. <br />• Soil in the Yakima River Valley is more suited to agriculture and those on the south slopes of the <br />Valley are used for extensive fruit growing. <br />• Other areas have been designated as critical areas due to erosion and landslide potential. <br /> <br />11 Ibid.