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<br /> <br />resources and'tt~e requirement to reclaim the disturbed lands. As this is <br />t <br />an underground mine the reclamation of disturbed lands will not occur <br />....' ... <br />until the mine closures. •' <br />,r;. <br />.~ <br />Reclamation: The only topsoil available for reclamation is that salvaged <br />in 1980 during construction of the sediment control system. Since this <br />mine was opened in 1943, no topsoil was salvaged. However, one to two <br />inches of topsoil should be sufficient to achieve successful reclamation <br />because the subsoils are of good quality as plant growth media. <br />Furthermore, since the area of disturbance is small (3.2 acres), natural <br />reinvasion from surrounding native vegetation will greatly enhance the <br />applicant's revegetation efforts. _ <br />Vegetation: There will be a reduction in woody plant density in the <br />area after mining. The applicant requested the shrub density be lowered <br />from a pre-mining density of 35,000 st;rubs per acre to 1,500 to 2,000 <br />shrubs per acre with an increase in herbaceous cover from 248 to"45Y~. <br />The greater variety of grasses available by reducing sages will encourage <br />more grazing and wildlife use. Since the disturbed area is small (3.22 <br />acres), natural reinvasion by shrubs will readily occur. Grazing and <br />wildlife use will continue after mining has ceased. The United States <br />Fish and Wildlife Service addressed this as a concern. See the technical <br />alternative. <br />Wildlife: Historically the private land overlying the mine has been <br />used for wildlife and livestock grazing. The overall effect of this <br />mining operation on wildlife is expected to be minimal (see/Fish fi <br />Wildlife recommendation letteF) for the following reasons:~l) the surface <br />