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Award Nomination for Excellence in Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation - USDI, OSMRE - 1990 September, 1990 Improvement Strate¢ies Wildlife habitat improvement techniques at Trapper have been conducted on reclaim areas and on undis- turbed areas throughout the mine permit area with emphasis on providing adequate cover and suitable forage for big game animals. Of primary concern is the successful establishment of native shrubs on reclaim areas for wildlife use. To assist in attaining this goal, mature shrubs are transplanted via front-end loader from areas in advance of the active pit and placed on re-contoured and topsoiled spoils behind the open pit. A clump of shrubs are established approximately 1.6 acres in size. Two hundred fifty mature shrubs are placed in [he clump to provide optimum hiding cover for big game. The clumps are established 1,400 feet apart and are normally constructed in the late fall when the shrubs are dormant. To date, Trapper Mine has constructed twelve 1.6-acre shrub clumps on reclaimed lands. The distribution of big game and the proper use of the forage resource is very important. Trapper has constructed many stock ponds on our reclaim areas to provide watering sites for wildlife while assisting in runoff control. The ponds are constructed at a density not to exceed one per 25 acres to maximize present big game and future livestock use. In addition to stock ponds, spring and seep development on reclaim areas is increasing the available water sources. Management practices and enforcement to reduce the short term impacts on wildlife are also imple- mented. Trapper has developed policies to limit land disturbance, hunting, livestock grazing pressure, public access, wildlife harassment potential and uncontrolled fires. Other policies dictate herbicide use, temporary cessation of operations during critical periods, i.e. nesting, and temporary habitat improvement i.e. raptor perches. Because fencing can have a major effect on big game movement and seasonal migration, Trapper uses lay- down fences in known migration corridors. Fixed-wing aerial surveys during the winter months (November-March) and pellet group transects (spring and fall) were performed to monitor big game trends. Aerial surveys were conducted over a 10-year period and concluded in 1987. Since 1980, Trapper has "crushed" over 250 acres of the over-mature mountain shrub vegetation adjacent to our reclaimed areas. Large dozers (D9) were walked across 50-acre tracts each winter, when the oak, serviceberry and chokecherry are dormant and brittle. This practice breaks shrubs off near ground level resulting in an opening of the area, and allowing increased big game access. Grass and forb production increases along with the basal sprouting of the shrub species in crushed areas. In 1989, Trapper conducted a250-acre prescribed burn in advance of one active pit. The primary goals of the burn were: First, to see if burning can be an effective treatment to reduce the cost of brushing area prior to topsoil salvaging. Presently, we must push the thick brush into piles using a D9 dozer. Second, [o promote the regeneration of major deer and elk food species in an attempt to reduce the grazing pressure on reclaim areas during winter months. Burning stimulates many woody plant species to sprout back from [he roots. These sprouts are more palatable and accessible to wildlife than the mature stands. Third, to see if re-sprouting is a better source of shrub species establishment on our reclaimed areas. initial studies show a trend of more shrub species from live-hauled topsoil replacement than the benefits of seeding shrub species. Presently shrub seeds range from $7 to $80 a PLS pound. By live-hauling seedling shrubs tram the burn area, we can possibly save thousands of dollars in seed costs, and increase woody stem den- sities on reclaim areas. Fourth, to improve wildlife and livestock forage quality within the native vegeta- tive communities of their area. This burn will also provide an area for future study regarding the benefi- cial ellects of fire on wildlife and its use as a tool for mining operations and cost effective brush management. Offsite treatments also benefit wildlife and reclamation vegetation in that they reduce the negative effects of the increasing big game numbers on the reclaim areas. The Bureau of Land Management is currently evaluating vegetation response associated with this control burn.