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native soil and using tailing modification tests to create a <br /> favorable medium for vegetative establishment. From Dr. Berg ' s <br /> work, the formula for soil amendments , both physically and <br /> chemically, provided a vegetative establishment on 12 acres <br /> covering the old tailing pond . This research was part of a <br /> statewide project on mine tailing revegation sponsored by the <br /> Colorado State Legislature. <br /> In 1969 a research agreement was formalized between <br /> Colorado State University and Climax to conduct research on <br /> vegetative establishment of tailing and disturbed soils, and <br /> species adaptability. This research has been supported by <br /> Colorado State University and by an annual grant from the AMAX <br /> Foundation, Inc. The work was initiated by bringing tailing <br /> samples into the laboratory for analyses of chemical and physi- <br /> cal characteristics . With this data, greenhouse studies were <br /> designed to determine the optimum response to amendments and <br /> fertility treatments. The best greenhouse treatments were then <br /> used in preliminary field trials. Also, a number of plant <br /> species were planted in the field to determine the most suit- <br /> able species for growing on the tailing and disturbed soils in <br /> the upper sub-alpine environment. With this background, more <br /> field plots were established to provide invormation on amend- <br /> ments, fertility, plant species and best management techniques <br /> for the revegation and stabilization of tailings and disturbed <br /> soils. <br /> 9 . 2 SPECIES ADAPTABILITY STUDY <br /> During 1969 and 1971 , 20 grass species and four <br /> legume species were planted at Climax to determine species <br /> adaptability on disturbed areas. These plantings are now <br /> yielding information useful in planning long-term revegetation <br /> projects in the upper subalpine . <br /> The Climax seed mix was developed through this re- <br /> search, and is used by ski areas and the Colorado Highway <br /> Department for reseeding at higher elevations. As more inform- <br /> ation on the suitability of species has become available , the <br /> seed mix has been modified . Table 9 . 2 lists Climax seed mix <br /> used in 1977 . <br /> 9-2 <br />