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range from 10 to 20 inches. If shallow soils on steep slopes are thoroughly saturated with water there is a potential for mass movement. There is little evidence of recent mass soil movement in the area. On-site examinations of the project area and existing mine indicate no evidence of mass soil movement. On-going reclamation and revegetation efforts at the existing mine appear to be successful. Replaced soil materials in place for more than 10 years show no indication of mass movement. Successful reclamation efforts at the existing operation have shown that the indigenous soils can be utilized as a reclamation Qrowth medium. The procedure in that azea has consisted of excavating soil ahead of the active mining area and stockpiling this material for later use in reclamation. Successful reclamation plots have been realized at the existing operation with a seed mixture consisting of Indian Rice Grass (Nezpaz), Critana Thickspike Wheatgrass, Sodar Stream Bank Wheatgrass and Russian Wild Rye (Salina). BLM has reserved the option to adjust or amend this seed mixture if more shrub species are seen to be desirable. In summary, the surface in the area can mainly be described as gypsum and weathered gypsum outcroppings with intermingled areas of shallow soil accumulation. The gypsum outcroppings predominate in the area as evidenced by the paucity of vegetation. Vegetation Information Vegetation in the amended area minors that of the existing mining area. Vegetative cover is sparse at best. Indigenous plant species include sagebrush, greasewood, winterfat, low rabbit brush and 4-wing salt bush. Russian knapweed, Russian thistle and mustard are also present to some extent. Stands of pinion and juniper are located along the ridgelines - with a mixture of 60% pinion to 40% juniper. As in the case at the existing mining area, vegetative cover is found to be inversely proportional to the steepness of the slopes and the presence of solid gypsum rock outcroppings. The predominate area of the ore body contains virtually no vegetation. Juniper and pinion trees cleared ahead of the active mining area will be utilized in the reclamation process. Pinion and juniper mulch cleared at the existing mine have added success to re-vegetation plots. The technique has consisted of placing mulch over plots graded with indigenous growth medium and then seeding the plot. The mulch has shown to aid re-vegetation by providing shade for the early seedlings, helping to stabilize and control erosion of the plots, and eventually adding organic nutrients back into the soil. BLM project review resulted in the conclusion that no threatened, endangered or sensitive plant species exists in the amended area. Content of Environmental Assessment CO-140-2001-064 EA concerning T&E is quoted below. 13