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steep slope revegetation. MCR and the Trustee also allege that the <br /> steep slope revegetation is experimental and that the revegetation <br /> done in 1997 by the Division is a failure. <br /> Position: The Division strongly disagrees that the reclamation <br /> plan does not call for steep slope revegetation. The reclamation <br /> plan that MCR submitted to the Division specifically requires that <br /> all land affected by the mining operation is to be reclaimed. <br /> Exhibit 8 , relevant portions of reclamation plan. MCR affected the <br /> steep slopes during its mining operation. In addition, MCR stated <br /> in its reclamation plan that it would conduct studies to determine <br /> the amount of vegetation required for steep slope revegetation. It <br /> is clear that MCR' s reclamation plan requires steep slope <br /> revegetation. <br /> Furthermore, contrary to MCR and the Trustee' s claims, the <br /> 1997 revegetation project is not a failure, or, at the very least, <br /> it is too soon to tell to what extent that project will succeed. <br /> Any reasonable effort to revegetate the slopes is worthwhile <br /> because of the erosion concerns in Coal Basin, -which have only been <br /> increased by the mine bench outslopes (i . e. the steep slopes to be <br /> revegetated) that MCR left at the site . It is worth noting that <br /> the degree of revegetative cover which constitutes success at the <br /> high elevations of Coal Basin is different than the degree of cover <br /> which constitutes success at lower elevation sites . Although <br /> revegetation is a more difficult prospect at Coal Basin, that <br /> effort is essential to effectively control sediment loading in the <br /> Basin. <br /> 15 <br />