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3 <br /> in reclamation of the south-facing north side of the valley. Further, what has become of <br /> pinyon/juniper woodland in the re-vegetation scheme? It is now fairly extensive. <br /> 14. Gambel's Oak depends on underground stems for reproduction and fire <br /> durability. Reproduction by acorns is seldom seen. Attempts to plant oak on recently <br /> disturbed lands have been problematic. The oaks now existing on the property may <br /> include stands with root systems many centuries old. <br /> 15. A cocktail of the seeds of so many grass species, all sown for replanting on <br /> the same newly spread "top soil", assumes all have the same requirements. This is <br /> exceedingly unlikely. Does big bluestem actually occur on the site? <br /> 16. The present riparian habitat is small yet is rich in plant species. The result is <br /> great plant structural diversity. This in turn favors high animal diversity. The restoration <br /> map shows only a small section "restored" on LTC. A tract extending 50 meters on either <br /> side of LTC includes much of the most valuable habitat on the entire mine site in regard <br /> to the flora and fauna. It could not be artificially reclaimed if removed and would require <br /> at least two centuries to return naturally. Two giant specimens of White Fir now present <br /> would be typical of old-growth conditions and surely rank among the very largest White <br /> Firs in the County. <br /> 17. It is a stretch to claim bare blasted walls might be more esthetic than natural <br /> talus slopes. Is this an admission the slopes cannot be "reclaimed" or restored? Who in <br /> the CDRMS office or the El Paso County office will know if one is more esthetic than the <br /> other? <br /> In the end, the proposed quarry site is in an ecotone where several plant <br /> communities come together and mix. The result is a calico of flora resulting from the <br /> varied soils, slopes, and slope orientations. Restoration and"recovery" are impossible. <br /> One thing is certain. Once the quarrying is over, the site will quickly be vegetated with <br /> invasive foreign colonizers such as wooly mullein and sweet clover. <br />