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This is roughly consistent with the permitted plan. Between the benches are long slopes that range from nearly vertical rock faces to more gradual slopes of about 30 degrees. The surface --~ of most of the site is covered with a sandy material of unknown but apparently variable depth. ' Little of the surface material is actual soil, although it appears that topsoil was stockpiled in the northwestern part of the operation neaz the bottom of the slopes. Most (about 2/3) of the site faces east with the remainder facing north. In the upper portion of the site, a definite ridgeline separates east facing from north facing slopes. This ridgeline is idenlified on the Base Features Map. This aspect (direction the slope faces) is favorable for revegetation. Only one small area exhibits a true south facing slope, and that slope is quite steep and will be difficult to revegetate. All other slopes should be easily revegetated once a proper seed mixture is applied. Coursing throughout the area are the remains of roads. Most of the roads have moderate to good vegetation cover because of revegetation work and invasion by native vegetation. Compaction does not appear to be a problem, but the texture of the road surfaces is clearly more gravelly than other portions of the site. This will limit, to some extent, the quality of the vegetation than can be developed in the road surfaces. However, using properly designed seed mixtures, some difficulties presented by this texture can be counteracted. In the lower portion of the site are a few concrete structures including a scale and a fuel tank containment structure. These structures present problems for the full reclamation. Usually, the MLRB expects such structures to be removed. The scale should be removed, but the difficulty of removing the concrete presents a high cost action. This will be discussed later in the section on Lower Zone Rehabilitation. AREAS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE: On the Base Features Map aze shown small locations labeled with "WL." These locations have been heavily invaded by typical wetland type plant species. These species include various wetland grasses, rushes, sedges and, in particular, the willow, Salix exigua. This willow is an excellent indicator of wetland vegetation. Whenever i[ is found, one can be almost certain it is a wetland. Also present is a small area (about 200 square feet) of cattail marsh. At this time, it is unlikely these sites would meet the definition of true wetlands, but clearly the vegetation and the sites are rapidly developing in that direction. This plan will specifically address these sites as locations where disturbance during the reclamation should not occur. That is, efforts should be made, during rehabilitation, to protect these sites from disturbance. These sites will eventually develop into valuable diversity additions to the site and make the final reclamation much more useful for wildlife. Deer Creek Quarry Rehabilitation June 1994 Page 3