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ability to cycle water and plant nutrients once it is respread on the site. Proper handling of the <br /> overlying soils is essential to being able to reclaim the area and establish a stable productive site. <br /> The operator should take care to not mix the various soil horizons, and that during reclamation, <br /> they are respread in the correct order. All stockpiles (topsoil and overburden) should be <br /> stabilized from wind and water erosion, and re-seeded. The Proposed Action requires that topsoil <br /> and vegetation be removed together, stockpiled, and seeded. Leaving the vegetation in the topsoil <br /> helps maintain the soil mycorrhizal population, organic matter content, and proper aeration. <br /> Seeding the piles helps stabilize stockpiles from wind and water erosion, and maintain soil <br /> fertility. The proponent has proposed using woody vegetation as a mulch source during <br /> reclamation. Mulches can help protect the soil surface from detachment and transport until <br /> vegetation stabilizes the soil. Mulches also can help retain soil moisture, benefiting seeding <br /> success. Topsoil should not be stripped until mining is ready to proceed into those areas. <br /> Stripping should not occur during excessively dry or wet periods (to reduce soil loss or <br /> compaction), and whenever possible, soil should be stripped and placed on areas ready for <br /> reclamation. Avoiding or reducing the amount of time topsoil is stockpiled increases its viability. <br /> The Mine Plan estimates that an additional 4,700 yards of topsoil will be imported to the site to <br /> enable sufficient coverage during reclamation. Topsoil will be respread to a depth of six inches, <br /> and reclaimed areas will be monitored for erosion and seeding success. If after two growing <br /> seasons, vegetative cover and composition is unsatisfactory, then additional actions will be <br /> necessary. The proponent may need to re-seed, have the soil tested to determine if a soil <br /> amendment is necessary, or do additional erosion control. <br /> 5.5.3. Environmental Consequences— No Action Alternative <br /> Under the No Action Alternative, Jackson County would no longer be allowed to use the pit. <br /> Disturbed areas would be reclaimed as according to the Reclamation Plan. Additional topsoil <br /> would need to be imported to insure adequate topsoil depth. The County would probably seek <br /> another source for material, which could increase the amount of land disturbed on a landscape <br /> scale. <br /> 5.5.4. Mitigation Measures <br /> During reclamation practices, topsoil will be respread across the disturbed area to a depth of 6 <br /> inches. The mine plan expects that an additional 4,700 yards of topsoil will need to be imported <br /> to the site. <br /> Topsoil should not be stripped during excessively dry or wet periods, and should not be removed <br /> well in advance of active mining. <br /> Stockpiles and reclaimed areas will be monitored for soil erosion (such as sheet flow or rilling), <br /> and additional erosion control will be required if necessary. <br /> At the end of two growing seasons, vegetative cover and composition will be compared to <br /> adjacent undisturbed areas to determine if re-seeding is required to stabilize the stockpiles and <br /> DOI-BLM-CO-N020-2017-0003 26 <br />