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Pikeview ~mTy' - Recision Notice and FONSI 08/30/01 Page 8 interfere with the success of the reclamation plans and thus with the visual effect of the quarry if not monitored closely. It is anticipated that there would be natural rock outcrops and benches left to provide some variation to what could otherwise be a uniform slope. One of the primary goals of the reclamation plan is to improve the aesthetic character of the site through the restoration of more natural appearing topographic features and vegetation. Under Alte~ttative A and C, there would be a partial improvement in visual impacts at the PikevieYv quarry resulting from base and enhanced reclamation plans. These reclamation efforts, however, would not affect the steep slopes that constitute the majority of the current visual impacts at the quarry Slope reduction, erosion control -Under the proposed project, landforms would be altered in two phases: during the production phase, granite and limestone extraction would alter the existing slope profile of the mine, and areas above the mine to the west, on National Forest System lands. No unique land forms or rock formations would be affected. The grade of cut slopes would be reduced to an average of 2:1. During the reclamation phase, slope backfill and topsoil placement will allow for stable and natural-appearing cliffs. On private lands, limestone and decomposed granite would be removed in order to obtain a solid base (granite) for the reclamation process. In the long term, the reduction o£the_slopes on private lands would improve thG soil stabihty and eliminate the current slope wasting. On National Forest System lands, approximately 20,600 cubic yards of topsoil and 74,000 cubic yards of subsoil (3 to 4 feet deep) on National Forest System lands would be removed during mining. Stockpiling of topsoil and subsoil would occur on undisturbed portions of the permitted area, adjacent to the mined land. Some loss of soil is expected to occur due to wind and water erosion, but these will be minimized through topsoil erosion control measures described in the reclamation plan. Also, loss of soil characteristics would occur due to the removal of trees and other vegetative cover, and mining and stockpiling activities. In the long term, as reclamation of the affected lands takes place, natural erosion would occur at higher rates than currently due to the Ipss of native vegetative cover. Under Alternatives A and C, geologic landfonms and soil conditions would remain as they are described in the Affected Environment section of the EA. However, without the layback soil losses due to slope wasting, wind and water erosion processes would continue to occur due to previous mining and to the lack of reclamation works at the site. As the limestone rock faces continues to slough off the face of the cliffs and steep cut slopes, reclamation techniques would not be effective at stabilizing the slope. Techniques such as rock staining, camouflage or rock bolting create hazard during their application, and are not permanent due to slope wasting. The neighboring Forest Service soils could eventually be affected by continued erosion at the western boundary of the quarry.