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Specific Field Trial section of this narrative. <br />The study design took into consideration the possible limitations to shrub establishment. <br />The treatments vary at each mine to accommodate the reclamation techniques and <br />material availability for each site, but certain similar treatments were included at each <br />mine. To evaluate effect of the herbaceous competition, seed mixes were designed so <br />that shrubs contributed the majority of the seed mix. Two seed mixes were evaluated at <br />each mine: <br />1) a native grass, forb and shrub seed mixture and <br />2) a seed mixture of unpalatable native shrubs and low-competitive native grasses <br />and forbs. <br />At each mine, one treatment included alternating strips seeded with only the shrub/forb <br />component of the mix. At Seneca Mine, treatments included seedling transplants, for tall <br />shrub species that have proven to be particularly difficult to establish from seed. <br />Typical topsoil replacement depths varying from 12 - 20 inches creates an ideal <br />environment for grass establishment. Therefore, the depth of topsoil on the plots was <br />varied to evaluate shrub and forb response to topsoil depths ranging from 0 to 20 inches. <br />Composite soil and overburden samples were taken from each treatment at each mine. <br />Overall, the soils (topsoil and spoil) at all three-mine sites have good physical and <br />chemical properties. Soil pH ranges from 6.9 to 7.8, macronutrients appear to be <br />adequate for sustained plant growth, organic matter contents are relatively high (3.7% to <br />6.3%), salt levels are low (EC ranges from 0.6 to 1.6 mmhos/cm and SAR ranges from <br />0.3 to 1.8), cation exchange capacity (CEC) is in a normal range, and textures are clay <br />loam and sandy clay loam. Overall, topsoil and spoil at all mine sites have favorable <br />characteristics and provide a suitable plant growth medium. <br />4.15-6 Revision Date: 3/14/08 <br />Revision No.: TR-72