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• 27 • <br />To contend that reclamation is possible where mean annual precipitation exceeds <br />25 an is as valid as contending that current reclamation efforts in east- <br />ern Montana and Wyoming are examples of successful reclamation. Both statements <br />may be true but neither are demonstrated nor based upon sound theoretical con- <br />siderations. Amore accurate statement would purport that reclamation to the <br />level acceptable by society within a time period acceptable by society will re- <br />quire the nearly continuous hand of man and much increased knowledge of bio- <br />geochemical systems where effective precipitation is less than potential evapo- <br />ration. So long as the natural biotic community is composed of species whose <br />growing seasons are restricted by soil moisture during an otherwise suitable <br />growth climate, then reconstruction of reasonably stable self-sustaining soil- <br />plant communities will be costly and time-consuming. <br />Current Work <br />Mined land reclamation in the arid west has not been practiced for long enough <br />periods over enough varieties of sites to be able to make generalizations about <br />potentials for success. There have been short-term efforts that have created <br />lush-looking vegetative cover in the high northern great plains at sites such <br />as the Big Horn Mine near Sheridan, and at the Belle Ayre mines near Gillette, <br />Wyoming. These and similar experimental reclmation efforts are visually im- <br />pressive but require high inputs of energy, manpower, fertilizer, and water. <br />Such efforts are but a few years old and have occurred during the period of <br />unusually mild and consistent weather that has characterized the late 1950's <br />