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Fred Banta - 4 - March 4, 1987 that the mine was opened in 1902. The topsoil that was salvaged has been stored for at least a 5-10 year period. I would expect the nutrient content and microbial activity in the stored topsoil to be very low. Revegetation at the disturbed sites will occur on regraded subsoil or gob material with a thin covering of poor-fair quality topsoil. Because of the "soil" conditions created during reclamation, I believe various soil amendments are needed for all regraded slopes. Soil amendments such as composted manure, wood cfiips, sewage sludge, or crimped mulch will help to build the post-mining soil much quicker than under natural conditions. Without amendments, the post-mining soil will be very low in organic matter and nutrient content. Successful revegetation will not occur on a newly created soil low in nutrients and organic matter. The soil has to be developed first before the plants can grow successfully. The plants will then replenish the soil system through natural decay processes. I recommend that a soil conditioning or soil amendment plan be incorporated into the overall reclamation plan. I would prefer that composted manure be used. H. Water Pipeline. The 200,000 gallon water tank in the Elk Creek Yard Area will remain following permanent reclamation. However, the 6" pipeline connecting the water tank w}thfhe pump house near the north Fork of the Gunnison River will have to be replaced. Installation of the new pipeline will cost approximately 525,000. This cost needs to be included in the reclamation plan. We also need a design for installation and a map showing the location of the new pipeline. I. Hubbard Creek Alignment. The artificial alignment of Hubbard Creek created during construction of the lower Hubbard Creek vent fan facilities may change following reclamation and revert back to more natural conditions. Assuming this will happen, regrading of the bench area will involve moving an extra 30,000-50,000 yd of material. We have not yet evaluated this potential problem and have not yet included the extra earthmoving cost in our bond calculation. This problem needs to be addressed. J. Elk Creek Yard Area - Soil placement and revegetation plan. My February 18, 1987 reclamation plan adequacy letter indicates that because of the "soil" characteristics of the mine bench (gob) material in the Elk Creek Yard Area, a six inch cover of adequate soil and an amended plant species list is needed for revegetation. These items will need to be included in the reclamation plan and their costs should be included in the bond calculations.