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Limited stockpiled topsoil, which has been entirely spread, did not allow for a topsoil cover of the <br /> central portion of the mine. The largest portion(of what?) is a former mined area that was <br /> backfilled with remnant scoria material from the site and graded level ("Central Flat" area in <br /> Appendix A, Figure 3). Also a remnant area of various pits and outcrops is present on the <br /> western and northern portion of the site. These areas have very low vegetative cover due to the <br /> consoli-dated igneous material surface; however they provide increased bird and small animal <br /> habitat.' <br /> The access road and a cement pad with bins will remain as permanent features as approved by <br /> Colorado State Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Two fine-material scoria stockpiles <br /> remain on the eastern portion of the site (Appendix A, Figure 3). <br /> 4.1 SURVEY METHODS <br /> The monitoring survey method used on June 20 and July 28, 2015 matches previous surveys <br /> and consisted of recording average cover and diversity in relatively similar areas as presented <br /> in the next section (Section 4.2 Survey Results). Vegetative cover was determined by ocular <br /> observation of the entire area and estimating as an overall average. Plant diversity was <br /> determined by traversing each area and recording all species observed. <br /> 4.2 SURVEY RESULTS <br /> Erosion and Slope Stability <br /> Almost seven years after major earthwork efforts, the grading at the Mesita Hill Mine blends well <br /> with the surrounding landscape. Only minor erosion was observed on one northwest hillside <br /> and no riling was observed on sloped surfaces. The grading of the scoria substrate and <br /> replaced topsoil has remained stable, even with average to heavy rainfall events. <br /> Vegetation Cover <br /> Most of the Mesita Mine site had good vegetative ground cover(Table 1). The perimeters of the <br /> site have the greatest plant cover, partially in the northeast and northwest (Photo 1). These are <br /> the areas with the most extensive topsoil cover, greatest topographic relief, and the longest time <br /> since reclamation. Vegetative cover type and percentage were locally variable depending on <br /> substrate, location, and reclamation event(with some variation in seed mixes used). <br /> 2 M.A. Rumble, 1989,Wildlife Associated with Scoris Outcrops: Implication for Reclamation of Mined <br /> Lands, U.S. Forest Service Research Paper RM-285; available online 17Jul2014 at <br /> wv w fs.fed.uslrmloubs rrn;nn ro285.1x1f <br /> 4 <br />