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iii iiiiiiiiiiiu iii 999 sENECA r~NE II VEGETATION A vegetation map showing the extent of the 'vegetative types described will be made, noting especially the rbuntain Shrub type. III SOILS A soils survey has not been conducted for the Seneca II r"ine. However, a wntract has been signed with the Routt County District Soil Conservation Service to have this done in 1975 and will be presented as soon as it is rr ceived. It is recognized that the soil association map does not shwa enough detail. This was the reason for including the survey that was presented. It was deter- mined that the soils in Seneca II area were very similar. V RECLAMATION PLAN A. Past experiences have proven that the brown colored, upper strata of the overburden has provided satisfactory growth medium. Every effort is made to return this to the top of the cast overburden. Zbpsoiling may improve the grass mixture. However, it most probably will result in a poorer (weeds and brush) vegetative pasture sward than the mixture that Peabody has used. There is little erosion with the present system used at Seneca. There is evidence that topsoil, especially that high in sand content, will be irore erosive. This is a fact at the Big Sky Mine in rbntana with a similar precipita- tion pattern. B. Outslones of box-cut spoils, and the highwall sides of spoils, and other areas that may be suitable, will be returned to an approximate ~~rildlife habitat. It is estimated that a minilm4n of 15~ of such area will exist in the reclaimed area and these areas will be planted to trees and shrubs. C. Productivity records were not wllected except for the one year. Peabody's consultants have been assigned this task in 1975. As the data bewrres available it will be sent to you. D. Among the "people" that have attested to the area as being an excellant wildlife habitat are Mr. John F3~ld, Board rpmber of your wicanission and Mr. Harold Wixon , former wnser~rative officer, Colorado Fish and Game Impartment. On a tour with the Wildlife Commission, Peabody was wmmended on the vegetative weer and available winter browse for wildlife. Frankly there have been no technical papers written on the wildlife aspects of mined land in Colorado. Observations by wmpetent people are enwurage- ing. F. Peabody Coal Co~any is working closely with the Routt County Commissioners and are complying with their directives. FFNC'TNC; Committments have been made to fence the mined areas to prevent grazing by livestock until the vegetative over is established. 'ribs fencing will start in 1975.