1999-05-14_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017

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around surface high points that are off the ground. During high wind conditions, the lift on the material can be substantial and the fabric can be blown off. Because it conforms so much more closely to irregular surfaces than fabric products, bonded fiber matrix can protect and nurture the germination and establishment of seeded vegetation better on many types of extreme sites. It is however, expensive, ranging in my experience from $5,000 to $7,000 or more per acre. It also is best applied where the subject area can be approached from two angles, at least one of which is approximately 45 to 90 degrees. At very low angles, and especially when applied from above, as on a very steep slope below a road, it is very difficult to get the bonded fiber matrix slurry to cover evenly. Rather, it tends to "roll" downslope and leave spaces uncovered. For situations like Coal Basin where the slopes are very ADD LOWERING GUY DOWN steep and the approach is mostly from above only, it is very difficult to apply bonded finer matrix or any other slurry such as normal hydromulch from an advantageous angle. According to my reading of the 1998 bid specifications, bonded fiber matrix was not included, which may reflect experience of the above description gathered during 1997 work. DIFFERING ACCESS CONDITIONS Although steep slopes with access from above pose some substantial restrictions on the effectiveness of bonded fiber matrix, the potential advantages of the material on rough and inaccessible slopes made its trial in 1997 a reasonable undertaking, in my opinion. GLA Comment No. 5 Response: I disagree with the assertion that trees were never contemplated in the reclamation plan. It would appear that trees were included in the estimate sheet for reclamation costs associated with the RECLAMATION, attesting to FACT THAT THE the plan included tree planting. 14