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<br />Soils Resource <br /> <br />As mining operations begin, the initial impact will, occur as <br />native soil series are removed ahead of mining and replaced for <br />reclamation. These impacts will be irreversible to some extent. <br />Individual physical, chemical and biological characteristics will <br />be destroyed along with soil structure. While they soil is <br />stockpiled, the biological character of the material will be <br />altered and may result in a decreased ability of the soil to <br />support plant growth. Stockpiles will be revegetated as quickly <br />as possible to prevent excessive losses from erosion. The <br />placement of 21 inches of topsoil over <br />not ensure that premining soil physical <br />will be reconstituted. A difference in <br />likely result in different soils. <br />Vegetation Resources <br />the disturbed area does <br />and chemical properties <br />pedogenic sequences will <br />Mining operations will unavoidably disrupt both vegetation <br />types (big sagebrush and alkali sagebrush) identified at the <br />mine. This will result in the temporary loss of food and habitat <br />for both livestock and wildlife. <br />Due to low precipitation and a short growing season, revege- <br />tation will be difficult and the effectiveness of revegetation in <br />this area is unknown. Research near the permit area is currently <br />being conducted by the Bureau of Land Management (RLM)„ and site <br />specific data relating to the effectiveness of revegetation <br />should be available in 1982. <br />The applicant will revegetate with one seed mixture. Micro- <br />habitat differences will provide diversity within the revegetated <br />area, but community boundaries will not be similar to premining <br />conditions. Regardless, the new communities should be able to <br />support postmining land uses and natural reinvasion from adjacent <br />areas will help establish communities comparable to those from <br />the premining environment. <br />-6- <br />