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REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL REVISION Mine ID# M-1993-035 <br /> Mine Name: Swan River Resource Location: Summit County <br /> aquatic micro-habitats; (I) boulder clusters and (2) log spurs (large woody debris). These features will be placed <br /> in pool and/or glide sections where velocities are low and water is slightly deeper, and are intended for habitat <br /> cover only and not intended for bank stability or grade control. <br /> Riparian Restoration <br /> The restoration reclamation plan will provide a riparian corridor that is four to six times the stream bankfull <br /> width, inclusive of the channel itself. This width provides a flood prone area that is consistent with the intended <br /> channel type. Evaluation of aerial photographs, literature review and professional judgment of regional <br /> wetland/riparian habitats indicated that prior to significant land disturbance (i.e., dredge operations),the Swan <br /> River Resource likely contained suitable elevation,geomorphic setting and climate for montane willow riparian <br /> shrubland. These riparian systems,which are found throughout the region, are located along streams and <br /> drainages, and typically occur as mosaic of vegetative communities. These systems consist of temporarily, <br /> seasonally and intermittently flooded shrublands comprised of broad-leaved deciduous willow dominated species <br /> in the midstory canopy and an understory of herbaceous species including a mix of grasses,forbs, sedges and <br /> rushes. These corridors are some of the most biologically diverse habitats having a consistent source of water <br /> and providing structural habitat diversity utilized by a wide variety of wildlife. <br /> This restoration reclamation plan focuses first on establishing a deeply rooted and dense groundcover <br /> dominated by native riparian herbaceous species that are typical to the region. The intent is to quickly establish <br /> a groundcover to stabilize soil, minimize establishment of invasive species and promote long-term successional <br /> development. To facilitate complete ground coverage and seed bank development within the reclamation area, <br /> the entire riparian zone will be seeded with the specialized riparian seed mix with locally native species that <br /> germinate rapidly and provide complete groundcover tolerant of a wide variety of hydrologic conditions. <br /> Second, strategically placed riparian shrub plantings will occur primarily along outside bends of the new channel <br /> to provide not only bank stability, but also increased biomass and structural habitat for the fishery and terrestrial <br /> wildlife.Additionally, the shrub plantings are intended to provide increased biomass to the stream (leaf-litter), <br /> overhead cover(shading) and increases bug life (terrestrial and aquatic, such as caddis). <br /> Riparian plantings are planned in two general forms, (I) those associated with outside bend bank stabilization <br /> and (2) riparian planting pockets. Riparian planting pockets are intended to create an island effect or a diverse <br /> plant community in a relatively small space, as compared to spacing individual species at greater distances. In <br /> ecological literature,this type of island habitat has a much higher functional value resulting from increased <br /> structural complexity. Significantly more bird species will utilize this type of habitat over an isolated shrub or <br /> tree. In addition,the islands typically look more visually natural as compared to an isolated planting. The riparian <br /> planting pockets are also typically more successful because they act as a natural windbreak, preventing drying out <br /> from wind/sun exposure, allow for a depression that is closer to the groundwater table, collects high overbank <br /> stream flows/surface runoff and are significantly easier to maintain during establishment periods. <br /> A total of approximately 8.5 acres of riparian area is expected to be created as part of the restoration <br /> reclamation. All proposed plantings and seeding associated with bank stabilization, planting pockets, riparian <br /> corridor as well as uplands will be based on field conditions at the time of construction and the regional <br /> availability of plant species. <br /> 5 of 7 <br />