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deer. Big sagebrush provides good forage value for wildlife on winter range and fair value to cattle. Douglas rabbitbrush has poor forage value to cattle and provides some value to wildlife in summer and in winter. Rubber rabbitbrush is not a good forage for stock but does provide fair forage value for deer on winter range. The distribution of water resources and terrain may also affect correct livestock stocking rates. Cattle require access to water on a daily basis and a 50% reduction in grazing capacity is recommended for those areas that are one to two miles (1.6-3.2 km) from water (Holechek et al., 1989). Because several ponds are situated throughout the KCC property and no reclamation is greater than one mile from water, no reductions in stocking rate are suggested. Utilization should be monitored to ensure that areas near to these ponds are not sacrificed. If necessary, steps should be taken to encourage even utilization of herbaceous production throughout the reclamation. Cattle will not normally use pasture on slopes greater than 10% and a 30% reduction in grazing capacity is recommended for those areas that have 11-30% (Holechek et al., 1989). All reclamation areas at the Kerr Mine include slopes with greater than 10 percent grades. The total carrying capacity of this area should be reduced to acknowledge these slopes or a grazing system should be imposed that encourages or requires use of these slopes. Livestock stocking rates need to be adjusted to reflect wildlife usage. Although the quantity of wildlife utilization in this area is unknown, it is anticipated that wildlife utilization of production on the Kerr Mine reclamation is heavy. Pronghorn were present during the time that vegetation monitoring occurred and droppings are well distributed throughout the reclamation. Mine personnel report that pronghorn remain in the area during much of the summer season and also note that the reclamation is commonly used by elk in the winter. In the fall of 1999, KCC plans to graze approximately 60 head of cattle for a period of 30 to 45 days (60-90 animal unit months (AUM)). In subsequent years, an earlier grazing schedule is anticipated. The purpose of this program will be to crop existing grasses and fortis, thereby reducing competition with shrub species and aiding in seed distribution. As can be seen in the following graph, the currently proposed 60-90 AUM represents a conservative utilization of 1999 annual annual biomass production by livestock. Stacking Rare (AUM)lReclama[ion Unit at Three Levels of Urilizn[ion Redaimetl Area Size of Reclaimetl Area Acres 30~ UGIiraUOn 46& Utilization 50',E Utilization Pre-1966 Rec. 108.3 29.27 39.03 48.79 1995 Rec. 177.1 86.61 115.48 144.35 1996 Rec. 59.9 20.82 27.76 34.71 Total AUM S for all reclamation units 136.70 182.27 227.84 Careful monitoring of the effects of this grazing regime will be necessary to ensure that the Kerr grazing program is meeting KCC objectives. These observations will assist in the determination of correct stocking rates as well as the timing and duration of grazing in future years. Shrub Density Figure 3 graphically presents shrub and subshrub density totals for the reclaimed areas sampled in 1999. The existing permit for the Kerr Mine requires the presence of 1500 shrub stems per acre of reclaimed land at the time of bond release.. Revegetation under the current permit will be considered successful if shrub density in the reclaimed area exceeds t 350 stems (90 percent df 1500). For informational purposes, this discussion refers to both shrub density only (i.e. subshrubs are ignored) 16