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Kerr Coal Co. Grazing Plan for Reclaimed Mine Land Introduction Kerr Coal Company desires to graze livestock on a portion of reclaimed mine land and native range. The proposed grazing site consists of approximately 160 acres. Of the total acreage 105 is reclaimed land and 54 acres is native range. The proposed paeture has a single pond for watering livestock. The elevation is approximately 8,200 feet. Vegetative Production The proposed site for grazing was visually evaluated by C.J. Mucklow, Routt County Extension Director (Ag), Lori Weddle, Jackson County Extension Director (Ag) and Audrey Jenkins, Grand County Extension Agent (Ag/Youth). The existing reclaimed vegetation consists primarily of wheat grasses. Total dry matter production per acre for the reclaimed site was visually estimated to be between 900 and 1100 lbs. of DM per acre. The overall dry matter production was averaged at 1000 lbs. of DM per acre. This estimate is in the range reported in the 1988 Reclamation monitoring report for Kerr Coal. The native range dry mattter production was visually estimated to range from 350 to 600 of total dry matter per acre with the overall average estimated at 450 lbs. of DM per acre. Carrying Capacity The estimated carrying capacity is based on the dry matter requirements of an animal unit and the available and usable dry matter in the proposed grazing site. One Animal unit requires 750 lbs. of dry matter per 30 day month or 25 lbs. of DM per A.U, per day. The reclaimed mine land has 500 lbs. of usable Dm per acre of forage and the native range has 225 lbs. of usable DM per acre. The usable dry matter estimate is one half the total dry matter produced. This estimate of usable dry matter will allow for sustainable grazing and maintenance of existing grass cover. Thus, the proposed pasture has a carrying capacity for the growing season of 86 Animal Unit Months.