REV96528 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

' Ecafuatian of Reclamation Sucrers fnr Plmse !I Band Relrase VEGETATIVE COVER ' Vegetation on the reclaimed and reference areas was systematically sampled on July 23 to 26, 1996. Both vegetative cover and species composition were evaluated. Mean absolute vegetative cover is within the 90 percent required for Phase II release. Analysis of species present on the two ' areas indicates each is dominated primarily by perennial grasses and to a lesser extent by perennial forbs. Shrubs and annual forbs are also present. Results of the vegetation sampling are included in Appendix A. ' The species diversity criterion was specified by the CDMG during permitting. This criterion states that Kaiser must establish two perennial cool season grasses, one warm season grass, and ' one perennial forb with at least 3% but less than 60% relative cover on the dryland pasture areas and three cool season grasses and one perennial forb with cover values between 3% and 40%. Discussion of these species diversity criterion is provided in Appendix A. ' The results of the 1996 survey indicate a permanent and relatively diverse vegetation cover is ' becoming established on the reclaimed area at the Chitnney Rock Mine. TOPSOIL REPLACEMENT Kaiser completed topsoil replacement according to the redistribution plan. Depth of topsoil was documented at the time of the reclamation. Since some of [hese reclamation activities occurred, ' Kaiser has experience a change of ownership and the bankruptcy proceedings during which many of the original records were lost. In-lieu of these records, Appendix B contains the Division's inspection reports which document topsoil replacement for the East Pit, Barren Ridge, and ' Revision 1 areas. The AVF area was inspected by Kaiser in August 1993 and was found to contain the 24 inches of topsoil required for this area. ' RECLAIMED AVF ' Reclamation of the AVF area was completed in 1990 and 1991. Management of the reclaimed and AVF reference area have been the same since that time. Surface irrigation of the area has been accomplished by pumping and sprinkling of water from Stollsteimer Creek. One or two cuttings ' of the irrigation pasture have been completed, depending on the moisture regime of each year. In terms of functions to the AVF, water levels in the disturbed area are similar to those in the ' undisturbed AVF. Table 2 presents water level data for two wells in the AVF Reclaimed Area (A-2 and A-3) and three wells in the AVF undisturbed area (A-1, W-1, and W-5). As indicated, ' water levels fluctuate with seasonal variation. These water levels are also at a depth which indicate sub-irrigation of the pasture vegetation. Since this area was not mined and only used for process and support facilities, there has been no impacts [o the subsurface structure which would ' affect ground water movement. Reclamation of the area consisted of removal of fill material which had been placed in the area to the depth of native material, the surface was scarified to ' arar+.oss~~+~,rn w. ivm 6