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III. Summary of Reclamation and Management <br />A. General Description <br />The goal of MCC's reclamation plan is to return disturbed land at the West Elk Mine site <br />to a productive and useful status. MCC has assigned the post -mining land use of <br />rangeland and wildlife habitat to bond release eligible lands included in this evaluation. <br />MCC recognizes the importance of topsoil to plant and animal life of the area. For this <br />reason, all useable topsoil was salvaged and stockpiled to cover reclaimed surfaces. <br />Salvage and stockpile occurred by pushing suitable topsoil into a pile adjacent to the <br />disturbance. Upon reclamation, topsoil was redistributed across the disturbed land from <br />which it came. Available topsoil salvage and subsequent placement depths vary by <br />topographic and geomorphic location and therefore, were not verified during this <br />evaluation. <br />Soon after the distribution of topsoil and final grading, the freshly -shaped surfaces were <br />hand -broadcast seeded. Vegetative slash previously cleared from the site was then <br />distributed across the site and straw mulch distributed where needed to provide cover <br />for the seed from solar impacts. Some more open, steep sites were covered with mulch <br />mats after seeding. <br />The revegetation objective for disturbed areas is to achieve a self-sustaining vegetative <br />cover of hardy grasses, forbs, and shrubs that will become a productive and <br />ecologically -stable biotic community. The revegetated areas were reclaimed to support <br />wildlife and livestock grazing. Seeding of grasses, forbs, and shrubs occurred during <br />the fall (typically September through November) of each year as MVBs are plugged and <br />abandoned, the sites recontoured and the areas re-topsoiled. <br />B. Topsoil Replacement <br />MCC recognizes the importance of topsoil to plant and animal life of the area. For this <br />reason, all useable topsoil was salvaged and stockpiled to cover reclaimed surfaces. <br />Salvage and stockpile occurred by pushing suitable topsoil into a pile adjacent to the <br />disturbance. Upon reclamation, topsoil was redistributed across the disturbed land from <br />which it came. Available topsoil salvage and subsequent placement depths vary by <br />topographic and geomorphic location and therefore, were not verified during this <br />evaluation. <br />c. Revegetation Success Demonstration <br />Pursuant to Rule 4.15.8(3), Phase II bond liability release will be considered acceptable <br />if the vegetative establishment on the reclaimed land meets the requirement of 90% <br />