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-69- XIl. Vegetation - Rules 2.04.10, 2.05.4(2)(e), and 4.I5 Vegetation information can be found on pages 54 through 55 of the Bear No, 1 and No. 2 application and page 2.04-43 of the Bear No. 3 application. The revegetation plan is discussed on pages 71 through 74c of the first application and pages 2.05-40 - 2.05-43 and 4.15-4 of the second application. The most prevalent vegetation type in the permit area is mapped as wet mixed shrub, and is characterized by dense shrub stands dominated by serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and gambel oak (puercus gambelii). The type dominates on the north and east facing slopes rising to the south of the North Fork of the Gunnison, Steep north facing slopes at higher elevations support stands of douglas fir (PSeudotsuga menziesii). Riparian vegetation, including cottonwood trees (POpulus angustifolia), shrubs such as willow (Salix spp.) and hawthorne (Crataegus) and numerous herbaceous species, occurs along undisturbed sections of the North Fork of the Gunnison flood plain. The 19-acre existing surface disturbance at the Bear No. 1 and No. 2 and the 8-acre proposed surface disturbance at the Bear No. 3 impact wet mixed shrub at the face-up areas and portal benches and riparian types at the office and shop facilities and the sedimentation ponds. The vegetation in the vicinity of the proposed Bear No. 3 mine has been disturbed by previous mining activities. The original application for the Bear No. 1 and No. 2 lacked sufficient detail with regard to the revegetation plan. In the P.A.R. of May 15, 1981, the Division requested specific information on the schedule of revegetation, the seed mix, planting methods, mulching techniques, determinations of revegetation success, and revegetation monitoring. Additional concerns were discussed in the review letter of January 18, 1982, and are discussed below. The Division noted that the application was still unclear with respect to removal and reclamation of roads and other structures and the reclamation plan for the area to be disturbed in the future by ARCO's proposed fresh water pond. The applicant responded that the entire 29-acre area will be reclaimed to wildlife habitat and that reclamation will entail the removal of all facilities, backfilling of the portals, reclamation of a1I roads, diversions and culverts and reseeding of the entire area. The area presently occupied by the tipple and loadout, and designated as "Iv:ghway right-of-way and highway relocation" will be impacted by the Highway Department's highway relocation project and will be reseeded by the Highway Department following completion of their project. The Division requested that BCC indicate the approximate acreage and location of areas to be broadcast and drill seeded and suggested that serviceberry, bitterbrush and chokecherry be included in the broadcast steep slope mixture. The Division indicated that woody species would not need to be included in the drill seed mixture, since the deeper alluvial soils which will be drill seeded generally support a primarily herbaceous com¢nunity. The applicant responded that approximately S.I3 acres on the steep slopes of the backfilled portals and face-up area will be broadcast seeded. The remainder of the reclaimed area will be drill seeded. The proposed seed mixture will include five native cool season grasses, three adapted fortis, including two legumes, and three shrubs, in the broadcast mixture only. (See Table l0, Seed Mixture (BCar ":o. l and No. 2)) The Division requested that the applicant indicate how a roughened seedbed would be prepared on the steep, backfilled portal areas. The applicant responded that, where possible, a smaZZ dozer will "cat-track" the area or drag a chain to roughen the surface. On slopes where eguipa~ent cannot operate, the surface will be roughened by hand raking or chaining.