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• While permanent revegetation success standards were not reached within the first five growing seasons, data indicated that the plots were maturing toward the standards. • Since vegetative cover and production data indicate higher levels on test plots with more soil cover, it appears depth of soil cover material is a limiting factor and that successful revegetation can be achieved with less than four feet of soil cover. • Results of this study indicated that aspect and adjacent land protection from wind played a role in revegetation success. North facing slopes out performed the south facing slopes in vegetative cover and production. • Initial poor vegetation development on the test plots might have been due to dry weather conditions. However, consideration was given to increasing the seeding rate for refuse area 1. • Consideration also was given to revising the seed mix for refuse area 1 to replace and add several fortis that would have a higher success in grassland communities. See Table V-13. • DMG was requested to lower the success standard for woody stem density as the reference area contained over 3,500 stems per acre. It seemed unlikely that this standard could be . achieved within the ten year bond release period without replanting the seedlings. Through TR45, DMG reduced this density to 500 stems per acre. • As per Greystone Consultants, a variance application requesting 24 inches of soil cover would be appropriate given the vegetative and soils data collected to date and with data collected at other mines in the state which indicate that revegetation success can be achieved with a 24 inch soil cover. A copy of Greystone's report is included at the end of this section as Appendix "A". In response to TR45 application, DMG lowered the cover requirement to 30 inches with a minimum of 12 inches of topsoil. V.H Removal, Storage and Redistribution of Topsoil and Subsoil All areas to be disturbed at any time during the construction, operation, or reclamation of the mine and its surface facilities will have available topsoil or other suitable growth media separately removed and segregated from other fill material. Available topsoil was determined from the soil assessment contained in Section II.I. Topsoil or other suitable growth media are stockpiled in Vaf10US IOCatiOnS t0 b2 USed dUiing flri5l reclar~-,aticr~. Disturbed areas to to covered with topso+l . are indicated on Maps 43, 44, 45 and 46 ("D" Portal), Map 55 (Water Tank Area}, Map 92 (Alluvial Wells), Map 89 (Ventilation Entry), Map 81 (Refuse Disposal Area) and Map 151 (B Seam (Permit Renewal fR3, 8199) V-25