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Four blocks of 50 trees each were planted in the fall of 2004 in regulaz topsoil and four blocks of 50 • trees are planted in modified topsoil containing ground vegetation. Soil type was not randomized because of the difficulty of placement by Large equipment. Instead, regulaz and modified topsoil were placed side by side on the slope and the study plots positioned over the two soils. Three watering treatments and an un-watered control were randomly assigned within each topsoil type. Weed control was conducted in accordance with approved mine reclamation practices, with the exception of hand spot-spraying of broadleaf weeds to avoid damage to the aspen transplants. The transplanted trees were selected from along the edges of successfully suckering clones on Seneca property. Aspen suckers growing at the edges of existing clones are more likely to have smaller, more independent roots than those that arise along older connecting roots between large trees. Transplant candidates were four to six feet in height, without forks, disease, or damage that might affect survival. The trees were monitored throughout 2005 to obtain data for comparison between watering treatments using analysis of variance. Initial data from this study suggests that aspens can be established with a high survival rate using as little as '/< gallon of supplemental watering per day over the dry months of June, July, and August. A complete analysis of the data collected and the results of this srudy will be available in late 2006. Monitoring of Mined Land Revegetation Monitoring of revegetated areas at the II-West Miae consists of both qualitative evaluations and quantitative measurements. Qualitative evaluations aze carried out at least annually during the growing season, while quantitative measurements and evaluations on each reclamation block are conducted during years two, Four and seven and during the final two yeazs prior to final bond release. • Qualitative evaluations consist of visual observations of newly seeded azeas to evaluate seeding success, monitor for excessive riling and gullying, deteanine the success of applied reclamation practices, identify potential noxious weed problems, and estimate the degree of species establishment through natural regeneration. Qualitative evaluations extend past the first several yeazs fox azeas of new rill and gully repair, areas of noxious weed control, azeas requiring restricted inter-seeding or reseeding, or areas that have been planted to trees and shrubs. Revegetation monitoring of a given area of reclamation is identified by yeaz of initial seeding, and conducted during the second or third growing season, and periodically thereafter (every 2-4 years) until bond is released. Reference azea sampling is conducted coinadentally with revegebtion monitoring. The following discussion details pazameters to be sampled, sampling methodologies, and sampling intensity for the revegetation monitoring program. Sampling Pazametera Covet: Cover dab includes "first-hit" and "all-hit" cover by species (both absolute and relative values), total vegetation cover and covet values for litter, rock, and haze ground. If present, cover by mosses and lichens aze also tallied. Production: Production data is collected as total current yeaz's herbaceous standing crop biomass. In sampling Eor bond release, harvested biomass is separated by life form. Shrub or tree production is not to be sampled. Values are expressed as gm per 0.5 square meter and Ibs/ac, oven-dry weight L J Seneca II-W 2006 Award Nomination page 4