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observed on sloped surfaces. The grading of the scoria substrate and replaced topsoil has re- <br />mained stable, even with average to heavy rainfall events (Photo 3). The slopes of the remain- <br />ing open pits have been graded to reduce slopes to be not too steep to be traversed by <br />livestock as required by the Hard Rock Mining Rules and Regulations. <br />Vegetation Cover <br />Vegetative cover across the reclaimed portions of the mine site has continued to increase as <br />observed during annual monitoring surveys since reseeding in fall 2008 with a shift in dominant <br />vegetation cover from grasses to shrubs and perennial forbs. This shift in species is presuma- <br />bly due to grazing and browsing pressure from the free -range cattle and wildlife including <br />pronghorn, rabbits, and rodents. New seedlings were observed in all reclaimed portions giving <br />evidence of self - regeneration by the native vegetation. <br />Mine disturbance areas with topsoil have revegetated with a good to excellent plant ground <br />cover for this semiarid region of 25% to 70% (Table 1, Photos 3 and 5). These are the perime- <br />ter of the mine disturbance and appear as grey in Photo 1. Although vegetative cover was lo- <br />cally variable, some plant presence was observed in all areas including remaining open pit <br />areas of scoria rock cover (Photos 2 and 3). The one exception to this is the two scoria stock- <br />piles near the entrance to the mine site. Slopes of the Main Pit (central north in Photo 1) have <br />variable cover depending on location (Photo 3). The upper portion, where the slopes were re- <br />duced and topsoil placed, have good to excellent cover. The lower slopes have less cover. <br />Table 1. Vegetative Cover Values for Topsoil Surface Areas, Mesita Hill Mine, 2014. <br />Area <br />Average Cover ( %) <br />Range of Cover ( %) <br />Northern portion (mosaic of topsoil) <br />45 <br />30 to 70 <br />Northeast portion (topsoil covered) <br />35 <br />30 to 45 <br />Main Pit <br />North slope <br />30 <br />20 to 40 <br />East slope <br />40 <br />20 to 60 <br />South slope <br />20 <br />15 to 45 <br />West slope <br />20 <br />15 to 25 <br />Northwest portion (topsoil covered) <br />30 <br />20 to 50 <br />Western portion (mosaic of topsoil) <br />35 <br />20 to 60 <br />Southwest slope (topsoil covered) <br />25 <br />15 to 70 <br />Southern portion (topsoil covered) <br />35 <br />20 to 50 <br />Southeastern hillock (topsoil covered) <br />40 <br />20 to 70 <br />4 <br />