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Over the period of 198:1 to 1990, the levels of production observed have varied as follows: • Production (oven-dry Ibs per acre) AREA 1987 1988 1989 1:390 ALL 1988.2 2257.2 1343.2 2303.2 Wadge Pasture ----- 3049.5 2200.5 2'740.7 Sagebrush Ref. 1372.2 1211.6 508.8 1251.6 Mountain Brush Ref. 651.3 1125.9 416.0 615.2 From the above data, it is apparent that after a low point in 1989, a recovery in production occurred in 1990. Although 1990 was a drought year, the precipitation during the late spring and early summer was much improved over 1989 Isee Climatic Conditions, belowl, which may account for the recovery in production, as well as cover, in the reclaimed areas overall average. The abundant herbaceous production of the reclaimed areas provides a significant grazing resource. Since, for the most part, woody species, especially old growth, offers little that grazing animals find palatable, the reclaimed areas as they presently exist are probably more closely comparable with the objectives of livestock growers, and may be very • compatible with the needs of wild ungulate grazers such as elk. The latter apparently find the production of the reclaimed areas much to their liking as evidenced by accounts of mine personnel citing the abundance of elk, especially during the winter, and the abundance, during summer sampling, of their scat throughout many parts of the reclamation. Deer are commonly present in the reclamation as well. The usefulness of reclaimed area production can be assessed by determining the proper livestock stocking rates based on measured biomass production. Thc; estimated stocking rates far the reclaimed and reference areas in 1990 are as follows: Reclaimed Unit AUM's I acre 1983 Wadge 1.5 1983 Wolf Creek 1.4 1986 Wadge Fall 0.9 1986 Wadge Spring 2.1 1986 Wadge 1.1 1986 Wolf Creek • 1.1 14