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Mitigation <br />Application of the following applicant-committed measures are expected to result in the project <br />meeting current VRM Class objectives in all distance zones approximately 10 years after <br />completion of the project, and VRM Class conditions in project foreground views after a period <br />of approximately 15 to 20 years. <br />See Mitigation #6. <br />18. During final reclamation, all disturbed areas would be re-contoured to blend as closely as <br />possible with the natural topography, and to blend visually with adjacent natural textures <br />and colors of rocks, trees, and surface materials. Final reclamation should include <br />"roughing up" slopes and "footing-in" salvaged trees and rocks onto slopes to develop <br />natural appearing course texture and to create precipitation catchment areas to establish <br />perennial vegetative growth. <br />19. Topographic screening, including berming and retention of existing natural exterior <br />slopes until late in the development process, will be utilized to reduce visual effects from <br />the Highway 160 corridor and along the Sale Barn Trail. <br />20. The pit edge will be a minimum of 100 feet from the edge of the Sale Barn Trail, in order <br />to screen views from the trail. Some adjustments, plus or minus, may be made by BLM <br />landscape architect, depending on vegetation and topography. <br />21. Interpretative signage would be placed along the trail to describe and interpret visible <br />mining activities. The BLM, in collaboration with C and J Gravel, would provide sign <br />text, design, development and placement. Final text and design will be approved by <br />BLM. <br />22. C&J Gravel will collaborate with the BLM to develop and implement reclamation <br />techniques for barren Mancos Shale slopes visible from KOP 4.3 in order to visually <br />blend with adjacent course textured, sparsely treed, natural slopes. This will entail <br />modification of approximately 50 percent of the visible slope face by developing an <br />appearance of a coarse texture through earthwork placement of boulder and woody debris <br />salvaged from the proposed action area, and appropriate reclamation plantings. <br />23. Vary the profile of existing and proposed berms, where feasible, to reduce negative visual <br />effects as viewed from area trails, to appear more natural, and aid in slope stabilization. <br />24. Rocks and trees removed from the expansion area will be salvaged for use on existing pit <br />slopes to assist with interim and final reclamation and soil stabilization in those locations. <br />Tree root balls can be footed-in to slopes to aid in stabilization. <br />2.4.1 Terrestrial Wildlife <br />The project area is dominated by pinon juniper woodlands that provide cover and forage for a <br />wide range of mammals, birds, and herpetofauna. Both juniper and pinon seeds are wingless and <br />Grandview Gravel Pit Expansion Environmental Assessment 42