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Comments on Pilot Study Report and Presentation Obi ectives/Methods/Results/Conclusions 1. In the study plan, the two soil treatments in the primary study site are described as rotocleared and non-rotocleared ("modified" and "normal" on the study plan schematic). Our understanding was that both soil treatments were to have been "direct haul" from the salvage area to the study site. However, this apparently may not have been the case. In the study plot layout included in the report, the soil treatments are labeled "fresh topsoil" and "stored topsoil". Apparently, the rotocleared soil may have been direct haul, but the non-rotocleared soil may have been stored in a short term stockpile for some period of time, If this is the case, interpretations based on the soil treatments wilt be complicated; since observed differences may be the result of the different salvage techniques (rotocleared vs. non-rotocleared), or they may be the result of differences in post-salvage handlmg (short term stockpiling vs, direct haul), or some combination of treatment effects. In any case, there were rather dramatic differences between the two soil treatments for many of the attributes measured, and as such, it is important that the treatments be fully defined. The methods and timing of soil salvage, length of storage and approximate dimensions of storage piles, and timing and methods of transport, placement, and final grading for each of the two soil treatments should be described in detail in the Methods section of the report. 2. The study was properly expanded to incorporate growth and survival data collection for non-irrigated root segment sprouts that developed on the two soil treatments within the fenced primary study plot, as well as commercially grown aspen seedlings that were planted in a nearby fenced area at Seneca II-W, and natural sprouts located on a surface disturbance area at Yoast that had not been mined. Additional documentation should be included in the report, regarding certain aspects of the expanded study. Please amend the report to include: A map or maps at appropriate scale to show the location of the primary study site at Seneca II-W, the nearby fenced site at II-W, and the monitored site at Yoast. • A description of the soil treatment for the commercial seedling planting site, as requested for the primary study site soil treatments. • Details on potted nursery stock, including size of the transplants, type/size of container, site origin of the seedling stock (Forest/county/elevation, etc.), planting timing and method, and any post-planting cultural practices (irrigation, weed control, etc.).