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subsoil which could be stripped if the soils were uniform. 6Je feel that about 25/. of the area to be operated contains soils which cannot be stripped. Because in the average Paunsaugunt series profile the stripping depth is usually about 12 inches, we deduct 2S/. of that to come up with a calculating figure of 8 inches of topsoil and subsoil. That has nothing to do with how much will go back on the benches. The amount to go back (about 4 inches minimum) has been determined empirically and has nothing to do with how much was originally there. Fbwever, don't think that just because 4 inches is the minimum that 4 inches is all that will ever be placed. Sortie harsh sites will receive more and sites where backfill material is of a proper texture and, because of unique and highly localized drainage patterns, has a proper moisture condition, may not receive any soil because it does not need any soil to produce equal growths. VEIL fATION ITEM 1 _ Please define, on page 57, how the shrubs in the forest are important; i.e. are they important as wildlife browse, cover, etc. If so, what measures will be taken to fulfill their purposes if not replaced? RESPQdSE: Importance in a plant community can, but does not necessarily, refer to numbers. Low abundance species can sometimes be extremely important while large nunber species can have a low importance. In the case of Mountain Mahogany, its importance is both numerical and functional. It composes both the major shrub species on the site as well as being the major component of the shrub-forest ecotone. To the animal component, the species is also important in that it provides cover for birds and forage for large game. Another facet of its behavior is its invading capability of very rocky soils. On cliff faces this species, as a pioneer species, is important to the establishment of native vegetation. It is also a benefit in that it readily invades disturbed sites which will be a major boost to the success of the revegetation program. It is an error to assume that just because a species is not planted it will not came in. Mountain Mahogany thrives in such situations as mined lands which have been regraded, and readily invades them. As further evidence of the value of invasion, on the tap 12 acres of the [~uueen's Canyon G7uarry there were originally only about 12 species planted. Today there are over 60 species of angiosperms and gyrtnosperms readily found on the area, not counting mosses, lichens, and mushrooms. It is a sad fact, from a purely ecological point of view, that man's role in mined land reclamation is primarily as an initiator of the successional process. We implement the initial steps that would normally take nature hundreds or thousands of years to cortplete. 6Je stabilize against erosion, produce a decent grade on slopes, replace same sertblance of what nature would call soil or establish some kind of decent growth medium that plants will recognize as consumable, and get the vegetation started. But when nature takes over and starts sending in the pioneer troops, it is a wise person who lets nature take its course. Further human intervention should be limited to emergency repairs, such as erosion and weed control, especially where a natural type of vegetation is being produced. ITEM 2 _ lJ~der "Open Hillsides" on page 60, if grass~lominated vegetation is rather uncartmon at this site, why is the proposed reclamation seed mixture composed predominately of grasses? 4buld a larger percentage of fortis and shrubs be more beneficial in providing cover, diversity and wildlife forage? SNVDER Md AhII~mhE1VT AOE(aJACY RESPONSES MAY 22, 1989 PACE 15