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c6y <br />not be the result of mining at the Twin Pines No. m. <br />n <br />Backfilling and Grading <br />All areas have been appropriately backfilled and graded to the approximate original <br />contour. All reasonably available spoil in the permit area was utilized. Backfilled <br />slopes are compatible with the post mining land use of rangeland. Edges of the <br />disturbed area blend well into the adjacent, undisturbed areas. One highwall area <br />remains at the portal site. It is a sandstone and shale outcrop about 20 feet in height <br />with a moderately steep lower slope of another twenty feet of tannyhi erial from the <br />outcrop above. Due to the rocky nature of the surrounding terr areadoes not <br />appear unnatural or out of place. A bench below the highw purposefully <br />constructed to capture any rocks that might fall from above or roll downslope. The <br />bench area is also fenced to keep people, livestock and deter wildlife from this area. <br />The fencing also includes signs warning of the danger from falling rocks. The <br />requirements of Rule 4.14 have been met to the extent applicable. <br />Topsoiling <br />All topsoil was redistributed at this site. No topsoil stockpiles remain. Distribution <br />of topsoil over the regraded areas improves the chances for revegetation success over <br />the bond liability period and reduces the likelihood of erosion problems developing. <br />Areas of exposed spoil and overburden materials were not observed during the final <br />field inspection, indicating all areas received at least a minimal application of topsoil <br />prior to reseeding. No serious rills or gullies exist on the reclaimed areas. <br />Revegetation <br />The baseline vegetation survey was prepared by the U.S. Soil <br />using the undisturbed areas adjacent to the mine which is cha <br />juniper forest. Ground cover was estimated at 10 to 20 per <br />made up 30 to 40 percent of the surface area over the min i <br />estimated to contribute 35-40 percent of the cov r. ort <br />contributing an estimated 2 percent. The estimated air fora <br />r- <br /> <br /> <br />servation Service <br />Aerized by imon) P i ?? y o h- <br />Lt. Rock fragments / <br />area. Grasses were <br />were fairly spars <br />production was 50 <br />to 700 pounds per acre. Annual forbs, predominantly Kochia and Russian thistle, <br />dominated the historic strip pit area with scattered rabbitbrush. It was observed by the <br />SCS that reclamation on the abandoned spoil piles completely failed or was never <br />attempted. <br />The mine operator, Twin Pines Investment Ltd., ceased operations in August 1993. <br />Backfilling, grading and topsoiling of the site was completed in the fall of 1995. A <br />mix of native grasses, forbs and shrubs was planted in the fall of 1995. No additional <br />seeding has been conducted since then. <br />ND. 2 <br />The approved reclamation standard for the Twin Pines Mine is a minimum ground <br />A <br />5