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In the mining areas, an amazingly large amount of the mined land (about 55 acres) is now occupied by wetland vegetation that often exhibits 100% cover over large areas. These locations may be separated by somewhat less dense wetland growths or nothing but sand with very little growth. In the specific mitigation sites that have been protected from grazing, the very richest wetland vegetation has become established and is spectacular in its growth intensity. Three broad units of wetlands are present in this study area. The first unit is the natural wetlands. These are primarily present in their best form just downstream from the Elbert County line. There axe other less well developed examples in unmined areas elsewhere along the stream channel. The second unit includes the recovered wetlands within the mining area, but exclusive of the wetlands in the specific wetland mitigation areas. These often have a visual character similar to the natural wetlands. These locations have been impacted to various degrees by grazing. The natural wetlands have been affected by grazing as well. The natural wetlands between the two mining areas have been most severely impacted by grazing. The third, and last unit, are the wetlands in the mitigation areas that have been protected from grazing. These rich, diverse units with a large variety of woody and herbaceous species and high microenvrionmental diversity demonstrate what can occur in this stream channel, even after mining. But this kind of growth apparently can only occur if it is protected from grazing. Wetland Presence in Relation to Groundwater Presence Throughout the study area, one pattern always holds true. Where the groundwater is present close to the surface of the streambed, the wetland vegetation is well established. Where considerable sand and sediment is above the water table the wetland growth is markedly less or totally absent. Although no excavations were made to determine what depth was the minimum for any kind of growth or to establish specific kinds of growth, it is clear that it does not take very much sediment (perhaps one to two feet) to virtually eliminate the establishment of significant wetland vegetation. Even woody vegetation is sparse in these locations. If there is any growth present where the sand is deep, it is usually woody species. This observation is extremely important to understanding the distribution of the recovered wetlands in the mined areas, as well as understanding why the natural wetland vegetation is rich in some places and not in others. Previously it was mentioned that clay seams often exist in the ephemeral stream bed deposits. Often these clay seams are thin and more of a nuisance than anything else. But where the clay seams are thicker, as is the case in this area, they appear to be critical to the development of the wetland vegetation. Coal Creek Wetlands and Wetland Mitigation DA Permit 198811488 August 2003 Page 6 of 23