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3.7. Croplands. <br />Alfalfa/grass hay croplands that met or exceeded the production found on an adjacent reference area <br />demonstrate success of the reclaimed cropland post-mining land use. Refer to Section 2 of this <br />document for specific cropland production data. <br />3.2. Ranoelands. <br />The post-mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat have unquestionably been achieved. As <br />documented in Section 2.0 of this report, an erosionally stable and biologically diverse cover of plant <br />species and life forms (grasses, fortis and woody plants) sustainably supports a spectacular <br />assortment and quantity of wildlife on the Trapper rangelands proposed herein for final bond release. <br />Recent aerial big game surveys conducted by John Monarch of Monarch & Associates demonstrate <br />that while mule deer numbers have remained stable since mining began in the mid-1970's, elk <br />numbers have increased by an order of magnitude and pronghorn numbers have increased form zero <br />to hundreds. Reclaimed lands proposed herein for final bond release are subjected to grazing by big <br />game animals, primarily elk, in at least the hundreds during the summer months to thousands during <br />the late fall through early spring months. This degree of intense grazing has proven to be sustainable <br />with no significant detrimental effect on reclaimed rangelands. <br />In addition, recent Division of Wildlife studies demonstrate that Columbian sharp-tailed grouse are <br />utilizing reclaimed rangelands for nesting and brood rearing to a much higher degree than adjacent <br />native and CRP lands. DOW research also indicates that reclaimed rangelands at Trapper provide <br />better quality habitat for sharptails than adjacent native or CRP lands. <br />Other wildlife species utilizing Trapper's reclaimed rangelands include greater sage-grouse, raptors, a <br />variety of small birds and mammals, and waterfowl. <br />4.0 Potential Hvdroloaic Impact <br />Monthly field inspections by DMG and Trapper personnel since reclamation activities began <br />demonstrate that the reclamation proposed for bond release is hydrologically and erosionally stable. <br />The recontoured landscape, that includes properly designed reconstructed drainages, is well vegetated <br />and the hydrologic system is functioning as designed. <br />3 <br />