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Because of this, the topsoil will maintain its viability and native vegetation, especially • <br />those shruby species found in the premf ning vegetation communities, can be more easily and <br />readily reestablished. <br />All disturbed areas will be topsciled and permanently seeded as soon as possible after <br />disturbance occurs (Tab 21, Minesoil Reconstruction and Tab 22, Revegetation Plan) to <br />minimize the amount of habitat lost to wildlife at any one time and to reduce erosional <br />problems and possible increases in stream sedimentation. <br />As described in Tab 22, shrub and tree islands and mesic drainage areas will be <br />established to provide habitat diversity, cover, and edge effect, items very important to <br />wildlife species. These areas (as shown on Exhibit 22-1, Sheet 2 of 2) will provide cover <br />and feeding areas over time within the larger reclamation blocks for big game, songbirds, <br />and small mammals, especially during the winter months. (n addition, shrubs are included <br />within the revegetation seed mixes to enhance reinvasion of shrub habitat. The plant <br />species used in the Revegetation Plan (Tab 22) are predominantly native and have been <br />selected because of their ability to provide nutritional forage and grazing to both <br />wildlife and livestock. Further, the monotypic Conservation Reserve Program lands that • <br />will be disturbed wi tl be reclaimed using a diverse mixture of native grasses (8 species), <br />fortis (8 species), and shrubs (3 species). <br />The distribution of planting arrangements in the mine area has been planned to keep travel <br />distances for wildlife between shrub establishment areas and large areas of undisturbed <br />native vegetation at less than 7000 feet. As can be seen on Exhibit 22-1, Sheet 2 of 2, <br />distances from the proposed shrub establishment areas to the edge of extensive mining <br />disturbances is 400 feet to 900 feet. Distances between the proposed planting site<_ vary <br />from 600 feet to 800 feet. Distances for the mesic drainage sites are less. There will <br />be a minimum of eight upland shrub establishment areas developed in reclaimed lands. A <br />minimum of two sites will be shrub clump transplant sites. There will also be a minimum of <br />seven mesic drainage tree and shrub establishment areas developed. <br />Rock/slash piles will be incorporated in the reclamation plan to mitigate habitat <br />manipulation and enhance wildlife habitat i n the postmining landscape. Benefits of this <br />practice include creation of additional big game escape and thermal cover, enhanced shrub <br />established sites (micro-habitat), small mammal denning areas, and raptor perch end • <br />foraging areas. Twenty to twenty-five such sites will be constructed. The sites will be <br /> 12 Revised 06/18/95 <br />