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vegetation and habitat surrounding the mine area. Shrub islands will be establishetl • <br />within reclaimed areas. These ar ea.s, combined with Large adjoining areas of undisturbed <br />woody vegetation in and around the permit area, will increase edge end improve overall <br />habitat diversity. <br />The general criteria for revegetation of the haul road corridor is based on the following, <br />The actual surface area disturbance will be mini maL (approximately 110 acres), thus maF:i ng <br />the regrading and seeding of the area fairly simple. Areas of native vegetation domi nested <br />by sagebrush will be seeded to species for foraging by livestock and big game. Over time, <br />sagebrush will easily invade these seeded areas from the surrounding stands of undisturbetl <br />sagebrush because of the relatively narrow width of disturbance. Frischknecht (1963) and <br />Mueggler (1956) found that sagebrush easily reinvades areas that are disturbed and that <br />seed will be contained in the soil as well as also being windborne into the area. <br />Reclaimed cropland will 6e incorporated into farming operations as soon as respreading of <br />topsoil occurs. Depending on the season and the location of the reclaimed area in a <br />management unit, it may either be seeded to a grain crop or incorporated into a summer <br />fallow program. <br />Upon completion of mining in an area and within the first several years after revegetation • <br />activities, revegetation monitoring studies will be conducted. These monitoring studies <br />will provide both the reclamation manager and postmine manager or landowner with an <br />excellent basis for livestock stocking rates, tarrying capacities, and overall management <br />of the area both during the bond liability period and after release of the lands. In <br />addition, wildlife managers will have detailed vegetation data documenting habitat and the <br />amount and type of food end cover habitat available. Pater resources will be documented. <br />The postmining land uses, achieved through the reclamation and revegetation plans, will <br />thus provide a high level of utility. It will also improve livestock and wildlife forage <br />resources, aid in mitigating impacts to wildlife; ensure the establishment of vegetation <br />that is diverse and self-sustaining; and uiLL provide the components to reestablish native <br />plant communities over time through processes of natural succession. <br />Postmininw Land Use Management. Management of reclaimed lands will be similar to the <br />management of the area prior to mining. Proper management of reclaimed lands will be <br />stressed during the liability period. Livestock grazing will begin in late May or early • <br />June with areas being grazed into late September or early October. Crazing will not be <br />6 <br />