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<br />This mix will be used for stockpiles as well as areas to be permanently reclaimed with all <br />• areas to be drill seeded following surface preparation with a disk or similar implement. <br />The viability of stockpiled topsoil will be maintained by the above seed mix, especially <br />because of the deep-rooted alfalfa. <br />Among the wildlife using the area are deer, elk, and a variety of small mammals and birds <br />including upland game birds. Deer and elk use hay fields extensively during fall, winter, <br />and spring in surrounding areas. The proposed species will provide nutritious early <br />spring forage for lactating animals as well as animals coming off winter range. Upland <br />game birds use big bluegrass and alfalfa for cover as well as food sources. It is well <br />known, based on published documentation, that reclamation plantings can support <br />relatively large numbers of small mammals which has an indirect benefit to raptors by <br />increasing the available prey base. These benefits will be realized during the time that <br />the perennial cover is in place. <br />The small amounts of native vegetation around the active mining area will generally not <br />• be disturbed. After the existing sedimentation pond was enlarged to cover the increased <br />area of operations and following completion of the new pond, the banks or any other <br />disturbances were or will be seeded with the reclamation seed mix. As has occurred at <br />the present sedimentation pond, aquatic vegetation will readily invade the banks of the <br />ponds. <br />It should be noted that the areas immediately surrounding the existing power <br />transmission towers, which are farmed now, will probably not be farmed after reclamation <br />due to access problems and steep slopes. These areas are relatively minor and will be <br />seeded with the perennial vegetative cover. <br />Evaluation of reclamation success for reclaimed areas will be based on wheat yields after <br />plow down of the perennial vegetative cover. Reclamation efforts will be considered a <br />success when a minimum wheat yield of 28 bushels per acre is achieved. While this <br />value is below the average yield for fields adjacent to the site, it is well above the Routt <br />County average yield of 23.5 bushels per acre. In 1980 the yield for the adjacent fields <br />• averaged 28 bushels per acre which was due to adverse weather conditions. Because of <br />uncontrollable factors such as shortened growing season, drought, or excessive <br />moisture, 28 bushels per acre is recommended. Given that Canadian thistle is an <br />E-4 Revised May 1998 <br />