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Executive Sumnury <br />• cover is higher on the reference plot. Similazly, total herbaceous production is higher on seven <br />of the eight test plots than the reference plot, while perennial production is higher on only three <br />of the test plots. Woody stem density was found to be 3,88 stems per acre on the reference plot <br />while only 13 to 108 stems per acre on the test plots. <br />Examination of the test plot data relative to revegetation success standazds established by data <br />from the reference plot indicates that the test plots do not meet the standazds for vegetative cover, <br />herbaceous production, woody stem density, or species diversity. Data collected over the study <br />period indicates that the test plot vegetation community is maturing and progressing toward the <br />standards, however, these standards have not been achieved within the first five yeazs of growth. <br />Weather has been a primary factor as 1990 and 1991 were dry yeazs which limited initial <br />development of the test plot vegetative community and 1995 was a wet year which provided <br />moisture for annual grasses and forbs to develop on the test plots. <br />Soil samples were collected in 1990 and 1996 to determine if salts from the refuse were <br />migrating into the cover soils on the test plots. Samples from 5 of the 8 test plots were collected <br />in 1996 from each lift and compared with the 1990 samples. While some results from 1996 are <br />slightly higher than 1990 and others are slightly lower, sample results show little overall <br />significant change over the 6 year period. <br />Several conclusions and recommendations have been reached as a result of this studv: <br />I • <br />1. While permanent revegetation success standards were not reached within the first five growing <br />seasons, data indicate that the plots aze maturing toward the standards. <br />2. Since vegetative cover and production data indicate higher levels on test plots with higher <br />cover, it appears depth of soil cover material is a limiting factor and that successful <br />revegetation can be achieved with less than four feet of soil cover. <br />3. Results of this study indicate that aspect and adjacent land protection from wind play a role <br />in revegetation success. North facing slopes out perform the south facing slopes in vegetative <br />cover and production. <br />4. Initial poor vegetation development on the test plots may have been due to dry weather <br />conditions, however, WFU should consider increasing the seeding rate from 20 to 40 Pure <br />Live Seed per squaze foot. <br />5. WFU should consider revising the seed mix to replace and add several forbs which would <br />have a higher success in grassland communities. <br />6. WFU should consider lowering the success standard for woody stem density as the reference <br />area contains over 3.500 stems per acre. Unless the test plots are reseeded or seedlings aze <br />planted, it seems unlikely that this standard could be achieved within the ten year bond <br />. release period. <br />'-is-m_-' r `es-tea I v <br />