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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 (2)' November 25, 2003 Reclamation Plan Information Requested by Butte County Planning, Division Staff (Performance Condition #1 in Staff Report of October 23, 2003) Condition #la. The Reclamation Plan described in the Draft EIR does not describe how the site will actually be reclaimed and does not give a detailed description of the open water and wetland habitat that be will established to benefit wildlife. Provide more detailed descri tion of the open water and wetland habitat that will be established to ' benefit wildlife. Provide Erosion and Sedimentation Plan. Reclamation for Wildlife Habitat: As shown in the attached Exhibit 2 of the reclamation plan (Exhibit 2 has been updated to include mitigation requirements and other changes resulting from the EIR review process), shallow wetlands will be established along the margins of the lake by removing overburden and aggregates to just below the water level. Excess overburden will be used to augment construction of this shallow water habitat. Silts and clays removed during the processing of aggregates will also be used to augment construction of these shallow ' wetlands. This shallow wetland elevation will initially be determined from water level measurements taken in on-site monitoring wells. The remainder of the lake will be to the depth of aggregate removal, approximately 70 feet. This will result in a combination of deep shallow and water habitat for the variety of wildlife species that are expected to inhabit this site during mining and after reclamation. The nesting island will be constructed using excess overburden and silts and clays removed from the aggregate in ' the processing plant. An estimated 2.5 million cubic yards (8 feet thick over 193 acres) of overburden materials and 500,000 cubic yards of fines will be available to construct the nesting island and to augment construction of the shallow wetland along the edges of the lake. A 1 -acre nesting island constructed entirely of fill in the deepest part of the lake would require only about 500,000 cubic yards of material so sufficient excess overburden and fines are available for the reclamation plan. The remaining overburden and topsoil �. will be sold or used to supplement soil materials at other locations on the M&T Ranch. If demand for excess overburden is less than supply, additional nesting islands or other shallow areas can be constructed in the reclaimed lake, thus minimizing the need for long term overburden stockpiles. Native vegetation will be established on reclaimed areas by a combination of natural revegetation and plantings. Topsoil will be respread on the margins of the lake and in the shallow wetland areas to enhance the establishment and growth of native vegetation. Native vegetation recruitment (windblown seed, animal transport, etc.) will occur over much of the area. Supplemental revegetation will be practiced where natural revegetation _ is insufficient. Because of the numerous natural seed sources present, excellent seedbed formed by the overburden and respread topsoil and the sufficient water present in the shallow wetlands, revegetation success should be very good. Baldwin will retain an ' expert in wildlife habitat reclamation to implement the revegetation plan and monitor success. Baldwin will obtain the approval of the Butte County Planning Division for the 1 1 18 revegetation specialist selected before commencement of mining. A menu of revegetation establishment techniques has been described on Pages 7 through 12 of the reclamation plan. Baldwin will identify specific areas for supplemental revegetation using data collected and recommendations by the revegetation specialist in the annual reclamation and revegetation report to the Planning Division. Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan: Baldwin Contracting Company will obtain coverage under a general storm water control permit from the Regional Water Quality Control Board before initiating on site activities. The storm water permit will require the development implementation and of a storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). By complying with the requirements of the storm water permit and SWPPP, Baldwin will necessarily control runoff to ensure that discharge of surface flows from the site meet storm water pollution control permit requirements and comply with erosion control and sediment control requirements of CCR 3503. Two basic elements of successful sediment and erosion control are to minimize the area disturbed at any one time and to minimize runoff from disturbed areas to minimize runoff containing sediment from leaving the mine site. Removal of vegetation and overburden will be done on an annual basis to limit disturbance of soils and vegetation to that required for the subsequent year's mining activities. The mining area will be at a lower elevation than the surrounding areas which will ensure that most on site runoff remains on site. This will minimize contribution of sediment to nearby streams: As indicated in the excavation stability study, the 3:1 underwater slopes will be stable. There will be no waste rock or overburden stockpiles other than those at the plant site. Reclaimed shore lines will be promptly revegetated to limit erosion of those areas. As indicated in the reclamation plan, some lake shoreline will be reclaimed annually. The area of shoreline available for reclamation will vary from year to year depending on mine production, but it is estimated to be about 600 feet of shoreline per year. As shown in reclamation cross sections, Exhibit 2 (Detailed Section 2), the slopes along the margins of the lake will be gradual. A shallow wetland area, up to 50 feet wide, will exist along the margins. The gradual slope, coupled with the relatively flat slopes throughout the mining area will limit the velocity of flows such that erosion will be limited. In addition, areas will be revegetated promptly as the dragline moves away from areas already mined. Tle geologic materials at this site are generally quite permeable, which will also reduce the volume of runoff from the mine area. Topsoil and subsoil stockpiles will be identified as topsoil and subsoil by signage. They will be planted with erosion.control grasses to prevent erosion and discourage weeds. They will not be moved until redistributed, sold, or used to augment other soils on the M&T Ranch. Initial disturbance will be limited to construction of the plant site and removal of approximately 20 acres of topsoil and overburden to open the initial mining area (Mining Phase 1 shown on Exhibit 1). Runoff from these disturbances initially will be controlled utilizingBest Management Practice g e (BMP) temporary controls like straw bale dikes and silt fences as required by SWPPP. Long tern control of erosion and sedimentation will consist of prompt and proactive stabilization of disturbed through surfaces, revegetation or surfacing (roads and parking areas.for example) with erosion resistant materials like 2 19 gravel or pavement. Active mine areas with erosion potential will generally be limited to ' the margins of the mine area above the water line, the pad used by the dragline and access roads. These areas will be graded so that runoff is directed toward the mining area. As indicated in the Supplemental Attachment to the Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan Application, the slopes along the margins of the lake will be monitored after they are regraded to determine if stabilization for erosion prevention and sediment control is necessary. The revegetation specialist contracted by Baldwin and approved by the Butte ` County Planning Division, will reporton the status of the reclaimed areas each year and recommend action to be taken to enhance native vegetation growth and prevent erosion, if such actions are necessary. Roads will be surfaced with gravel or paved to limit wind and water erosion. Unvegetated areas on the active mine site will also be routinely sprayed with water to control wind erosion during dry periods. Traffic speeds will be controlled to limit dust generated by traffic. Traffic speed limitations are generally included as a condition in Butte County air quality control permits. Condition lb. - Reclamation is presented in the Draft EIR only conceptually, and the document states that. `_`The ultimate design and specifications of the created lake and � wetland habitat will depend on many factors " The habitat to actually be created is not portrayed in the Draft EIR or reclamation discussion The reclamation discussion includes many non -committal statements such as "Reclamation design includes the potential development of "" their final design will depend on the availability of " and "Where possible shoreline edges will be " These excerpts relate to the major design factors used in creating habitat Nowhere is the shoreline to be created depicted in anv detail. The volume of backfill available for use in creating a diverse shoreline is unstated and unplanned and slope profiles provided are generic and non committal Important mitigation cited such as the construction of a bypass channel for example (Mitigation Measure 4.4-7c), is not incorporated in the reclamation plan ' Exhibits 1 and 2 address the details of the miring and reclamation plan. The applicant and Butte County Planning Division have been aware that the original reclamation plan would probably have to be modified to account for mitigation requirements resulting from the EIR.review and certification process, such as the bypass channel. This submittal includes Exhibits 1 and 2 updated to include EIR mitigation requirements and other changes resulting from the EIR review process. Additional narrative is also provided to address details of the reclamation plan. Exhibit 1 shows the mine plan in plan view and cross sections. Exhibit 2 shows the reclamation plan in plan view and cross sections. Volumes available for backfilling and for constructing the nesting island are provided �. under Condition la above. Topsoil and subsoil will be removed from the mine area and stockpiled on site in the location shown on Exhibit 1 or will be sold or used to supplement plant growth materials on other areas of the M&T Chico Ranch. Stockpiled top soil and subsoil will be used for reclamation of the lake shoreline. Topsoil and subsoil in the plant site area will not be removed but will be covered with overburden to facilitate construction of the plant site above the flood elevations. When mining and reclamation are completed, all equipment, buildings, fill and other improvements will be removed from the plant site area and the 20 area will be graded to the original contours by removing the overburden fill back to the original ground elevation. These soils have been used for growing rice and should remain suitable for that use after mining is complete. Production on the reclaimed plant site will be compared to production on the adjacent irrigated,farmland to prove reclamation success. As shown on Exhibit 2, soil and overburden will removed in an area up to 50 feet wide along the edges of the mining area. This, plus backfilling with excess overburden and fines from the plant site will form shallow wetland habitat along the margins of the lake. Soil will be respread on this area to enhance establishment of plants. The topsoil will provide a seed source for revegetation. Natural vegetation recruitment (animal transport, wind blown seed, etc.) will enhance native vegetation establishment. As indicated above, Baldwin will retain a revegetation scientist acceptable to the Butte County Planning Division to monitor and evaluate the success of this revegetation effort (as well as the success of the reestablishment of farmland on the plant site). Depending on the success ofnatural revegetation efforts, augmented seeding and other revegetation techniques will be implemented. 4 21 Reclamation of the mining area cannot commence until sufficient area exists that is no longer being affected by mining activities: This initial development period is expected to last about 5 years. After that, an average of about 600 lineal feet of lake perimeter will be reclaimed each year, as indicted in the reclamation bond estimate of the reclamation plan. Once vegetation becomes established there will'be little, if any, maintenance required in the reclaimed area. The landowner will maintain this area as wildlife habitat: The bypass channel will remain as a permanent structure. The landowner maintains many other similar water management structures on the M&T Ranch and is experienced and well . qualified to perform the kinds of erosion repair or revegetation maintenance activities that may be required. Condition lc. Figures 3-10 and 3-11 do not include the level of detail required of a reclamation plan. A reclamation map should be presented in sufficient detail so that the site topography can be checked periodically for consistency with that shown on the plan The source of the topographic contours presented should be stated and must verify a licensed professional performed the survey and that survey benchmarks can be reproduced. The reclamation plan map, updated for compatibility with the EIR, is attached as Exhibit 2. No significant change to existing topography is proposed except that the mined area will become a lake, with a water elevation equal to the local water table. Therefore, there will be no significant reclamation topography changes to monitor, except the margins of the lake where shallow wetland habitat will be established as shown on Exhibit 2. The topographic contours presented on Exhibits 1 and 2 were obtained from an August 22, 1994 aerial flight and September 14, 1994 map prepared by Aerial Data, Inc. of Yuba . CI�y. 4 21 Condition 1d. A termination date is required to be included in the reclamation plan (SMARA section 2772fc1f31) The statement that the site will be mined "over a 20 to 30- a year penod" is insufficient. 'i SMARA states the reclamation plan shall include "the proposed dates for the initiation - - — . and termination -of surface mining operations." The proposed in date'is the date ' all permits necessary to initiate operations are approved by the regulatory agencies. The - proposed termination of surface mining operations is 30 years after the proposed, _`' initiation date. Assuming approval of permits and reclamation plan by March 31, 2004, ' the termination date will be March 31, 2 03 4. + Condition le. CCR3705: The plan fails to provide a description of the vegetative cover. J +" " + 'suitable to the end use and there is no description of baseline studies documenting cover, ' density and species richness ' Revegetation is part of the plan as described inthepermit and reclamation plan application and above under responses to Conditions la and lb, above. The area to be .. mined is unleveled and u mmgated and includes a small gravel pit that has been mined by • the landowner for many years. Wildlife habitat in this area is minimal but will be ` v° significantly improved in implementing the recl r ation plan,The plant site area is " currently under intensivelyy managed -irrigation agnculture and wilt be returned to that state-after-mining-and-reclamation-are-completed—Vegetative cover on the plant site area is whatever irrigated crop the M&T ranch manger decides to grow. Density and species ' ' richness are not applicable measures of the vegetation on intensely g ns ly managed imQbated . agricultural land. The vegetative cover on the mining area is.pioneer and weedy species (mustards, annual nonnative grasses, dock, and other ruderal species) typical of dry land agricultural areas that are frequently left fallow. As indicated in the reclamationlan p t submitted with the mining permit and reclamation plan application, the intent of the' ' reclamation effort will be to create waterfowl nesting and foraging habitat to supplement . wetland resources in the region, many of which have been lost due to conversion t o agriculture and other land conversions. An oak, willow and cottonwood overstory with a • , t- native grass and sedge understory is the desired end product. As explained in Section 4.7 K of the DER this would be similar to habitat that existed in this area prionto settlement � „ and development of agriculture. Narrow strips of this type of riparian vegetation still exist along small drainages in the area.'. As indicated under condition lb, above, a revegetation specialist acceptable to then Planning Division will be retained by Baldwin Contracting Company to monitor ^ . F = 1 t revegetation success and to recommend and implement augmented seeding and other plant propagation if needed. Augmented se'edings and plantings will be implemented on ' a case by case basis, depending on the success of native plant recruitment. -Annual 4, reports will be submitted to the Butte County Planning Division describing the success of revegetation efforts and recommendations to enhance that success in the next year." When natural revegetation techniques are insufficient to achieve the desired wildlife habitat,, the ' revegetation•specialist will recommend enhancements from the menu of revegetation « :y enhancements described on pages 7 through l 1 of the reclamation plan- CCR 3705 (a) 5i 22 . , t I . 11 IJ e states that "... for areas that will not be reclaimed to prior conditions, the use of data from reference areas in lieu of baseline site data is permissible." As the mined area will not be reclaimed to prior conditions, data from reference areas will be used in lieu of baseline data. Reference areas will be determined by the revegetation s ecialist and approved by the Butte County Planning Division prior to disturbance of the mine area. Several areas on the M&T Ranch retain native riparian plant communities typical of the Sacramento Valley. Mixed gallery forests of valley oaks, walnuts, cottonwoods, willows, and understory shrubs (buttonbush, elderberry, poison oak, etc.) downstream of the mine site and in areas along sloughs of the Sacramento River within a couple of miles of the mine site will serve as suitable reference areas and as sources of seeds and planting stock for the revegetation effort. As indicated in the DEIR, baseline vegetation studies of this area were done by Kelley and Associates and follow-up studies were done by the DEIR consultant. Section 4.7 of the DEIR describes these studies. These included a wetland assessment that was subsequently verified by the ARCS. Existing wildlife habitats near the mine area were identified (such as the former Phase 2 areas of mining, now deleted from the mine plan) which will not be disturbed by mining activities but may be used as seed sources. Condition 1 f. — CCR: 3703(b)• Reclamation procedures are not presented in sufficient detail to determine the viability of the created wildlife habitat. Reclamation and revegetation procedures are described in the reclamation plan, illustrated on Exhibit 2 and further. described under responses to Conditions la, lb, lc, and le, above. CCR 3703(b) states that "Wildlife habitat shall be established on disturbed land in a condition at least as good as that which existed before the lands were disturbed by surface mining operations unless the proposed end use precludes its use as wildlife habitat or the approved reclamation plan establishes a different habitat type than that which existed prior to mining". The habitats to be established in the reclamation plan are high quality deep and shallow water wetland habitats and peripheral riparian foraging and refuging zones. As explained in Section 4.7 of the DEIR, this area prior to mining is low quality farmland occasionally used for small grains and fallowed or intensively managed irrigated farmland, neither with much wildlife habitat value. The varied':aquatic brooding, nesting and foraging resources and associated riparian edges will provide excellent habitat for over wintering of water fowl. Enhancements like the nesting island described under Condition la above will provide protection from predators. Revegetation of lake margins with shallow water emergents, including pondweed and smartweed, will provide additional food sources. This reclaimed wildlife habitat will .complement wetland and upland wildlife habitat that currently exists south of the mine area, where a complex of wetlands and upland support a variety of wildlife. This area is described in Section 4.7 of the DEIR. Baldwin will also preserve a stand of valley oaks located in the northeastern comer of the site. This stand of trees will be fenced and clearly marked to ensure that it is not disturbed during mining activities. As indicated in the Initial Study done by the Butte County Planning Division, "After reclamation of the site, the project area will provide superior wildlife habitat potential." As indicated in the 0 23 1 EJ Soil management procedures are described in the Supplemental Attachment to the Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan Application. As described above under Condition 1 g, Phase 1 will consist of topsoil and subsoil removal on 20 acres to commence operations. In subsequent years, each annual phase will consist of topsoil and subsoil removed each year to open enough area to mine in the subsequent year (averaging about 6 acres per year). Topsoil and subsoil on the mine area will be removed and used for reclamation of the lake shoreline, sold or used to supplement soils on other areas of the M&T Chico Ranch Mine. Topsoil and subsoil in the plant site area will not be removed but will be covered with overburden to facilitate construction of the plant site above the flood elevations. Condition I J. — CCR 3706(e): Replacement of topsoil procedures is unclear and contradictory. The reclamation plan states that "...the B/C horizon will be treated as a separate unit and not placed on the surface of reclaimed land " and also states that "During re -emplacement of soils the B/ C horizons will be emplaced first and the A 7 24 Alternatives Analysis in the DEIR, "The resulting habitat associated with the reclaimed I lake would result in an overall increase in wildlife values over the long term. No significant cumulative biological impacts are expected." The primary objectives of the native plant revegetation and habitat creation efforts on the - mine site include the establishment of high-quality waterfowl nesting, brooding, and foraging habitat, and -associated communities that will benefit aquatic creatures (insect, fish, reptile, and amphibian resources) and terrestrial fauna (small mammals, birds, and other vertebrates and invertebrates). The reclaimed area will have the primary essential ingredients for excellent habitat: water, shallow feeding areas, deep alighting areas,- reas;native nativefood and cover plants, gentle slopes around the pond, foraging areas along the shoreline, and nesting and resting islands. The habitat creation efforts will serve many native animal species in the area and will greatly increase habitat values of the site (compared.to its existing minimal habitat values). ' Condition l.g. — CCR 3711(a)• Topsoil removal may not precede mining by more than one Year. The reclamation does describe plan not when the topsoil will be removed Removal of vegetation and soils will be done on an annual basis to limit disturbance of soils and vegetation to that required for the subsequent year's mining activities. Initial disturbance will be. limited to construction of the plant site and removal of approximately 20 acres of topsoil and overburden to open the initial mining area (Initial Mining Phase 1 shown on Exhibit 1) CCR 37/ 11 (a) states that the lead agency may approve a longer time period than one year for topsoil removal areas. Nevertheless, Baldwin expects to remove only enough topsoil to provide for the subsequent year's activities. As explained in the reclamation plan, this is expected to average about 6 acres per year. Undisturbed acres will continue to be used for agricultural purposes or left undisturbed, as desired by the landowner. Condition lh. — CCR 3711(d)• Phasing of topsoil removal has not been described EJ Soil management procedures are described in the Supplemental Attachment to the Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan Application. As described above under Condition 1 g, Phase 1 will consist of topsoil and subsoil removal on 20 acres to commence operations. In subsequent years, each annual phase will consist of topsoil and subsoil removed each year to open enough area to mine in the subsequent year (averaging about 6 acres per year). Topsoil and subsoil on the mine area will be removed and used for reclamation of the lake shoreline, sold or used to supplement soils on other areas of the M&T Chico Ranch Mine. Topsoil and subsoil in the plant site area will not be removed but will be covered with overburden to facilitate construction of the plant site above the flood elevations. Condition I J. — CCR 3706(e): Replacement of topsoil procedures is unclear and contradictory. The reclamation plan states that "...the B/C horizon will be treated as a separate unit and not placed on the surface of reclaimed land " and also states that "During re -emplacement of soils the B/ C horizons will be emplaced first and the A 7 24 ll 25 horizon will be placed on the surface " Prime agricultural soils must be segregated into A, B, and C horizons. CCR 3711 (d) states that Topsoil and Suitable Plant Growth Media (SPGM) shall be used to phase reclamation as soon as can be accommodated by the mining schedule - — presented in the approved reclamation plan following the mining in an area Mining will proceed from the northernmost portion of the mine area to the south. Topsoil replacement procedures are described in the Supplemental Attachment to the Mining Permit and Reclamation Plan Application. CCR 3706(e) appears to address erosion associated with natural drainages rather than soil handling. The only area to be reclaimed to farmland in this operation will be in the plant site area. The plant site does not appear to be a surface mining operation as defined at SMARA 2735. Soils on the plant site will be left in place and covered with fill sufficient to bring the plant site ' elevation above the 100 year flood plain elevation. The soils on the mine area, which is not.prime farmland, will be removed in two separate lifts based on the soil specialist's recommendation. When this soil is respread along the margins of the lake to enhance establishment of vegetation, it will be respread in two lifts as recommended by the soils specialist. Subsoil will be respread first, followed by topsoil. Compaction of soils will be controlled by minimizing the number of passes by heavy equipment as the soil is respread and by disking or ripping the respread soils after they are respread: Respread thicknesses will be based on recommendations of the soils specialist and his recommendations will be included in annual reports to the Butte County Planning Division. When roads are reclaimed, those areas will be cross ripped or disked before topsoil and subsoil are respread. The area available for replacement of soils will be relatively small (Only the edges of the lake will be available for soil respread). Less than 21 acres will be available for respread along the margins of the lake, while topsoil and overburden will be removed form the entire 193 acres. Therefore, most of the soil removed from the mine area will either be, sold or used to augment soil resources on other parts of the M&T ranch as per wishes of the landowner. Condition 1 i. – CCR 3705(b): There is no mention of test plots to assessplanting methods and reclamation procedures. As provided for in CCR 3705 (b), the lead agency may waive the requirements for test plots when the success of the proposed vegetation plan can be documented from experience with similar species and conditions or by relying on competent professional advice based on experience with species to be planted. Baldwin intends to contract with a very experienced revegetation specialist to provide advice on appropriate planting procedures to ensure successful implementation of the proposed revegetation plan. He will also monitor the success of that plan, as described in responses to the other conditions above. Reclamation success on the plant site will be determined by comparing - agricultural production on the reclaimed area to that on the adjacent intensively managed irrigated agricultural land on the M&T Ranch. Data collection and analysis procedures will be developed by the revegetation specialist retained by Baldwin with the approval of the Butte County Planning Division. Revegetation success on the shoreline of the lake will based on monitoring and analysis by the revegetation specialist. 25 11 iIn general, the success of the reclamation effort at the M&T Chico Ranch Mine will be determined through intensive monitoring by the revegetation specialist. The reclaimed mine site, as discussed above, will have some distinct advantages: water, good soils, nearby reference sites, seed and planting stock resources, and a phased reclamation -- - approach which will allow evaluation of the restoration strategies as reclamation proceeds. As is important with any restoration effort, the primary problems of weed control and soil rehabilitation are to be addressed first, and subsequent vegetation establishment efforts will be keyed to the weed and soil constraints identified in pre - mining baseline surveys of reference areasand post -mining assessments of revegetation success and recruitment. ' Condition lk — CCR 3705(g): The reclamation Dlan fails to Drovide a vegetative prescription describing_Mecies for each reclamation area 26 CCR 3705 (g) states that native plants shall be used for revegetation except when introduced species are necessary to meet the end use specified in the approved reclamation plan. Introduced species of agricultural crops will continue to be used on the reclaimed plant site as described above and as determined by the landowner to continue his intensively managed irrigated agricultural operations there. Native species will be established on the perimeter of the lake. Native vegetation will be established on reclaimed areas by a combination of natural revegetation and plantings. Topsoil will be respread on the margins of the lake and in the shallow. wetland areas to enhance the establishment and growth of native vegetation. Natural vegetation recruitment (windblown seed, animal transport, etc.) will occur over much of the area. Supplemental revegetation will be practiced where natural revegetation is insufficient. Because of the numerous natural seed sources present, excellent seedbed formed by the overburden and respread topsoil and the sufficient water present in the shallow wetlands, revegetation 1 success should be very good. A menu of revegetation establishment techniques has been described on Pages 7 through 12 of the reclamation plan. Baldwin will identify specific areas for supplemental revegetation using data collected and recommendations by the revegetation specialist in the annual reclamation and revegetation report to the Planning Division. The revegetation specialist whom Baldwin proposes to contract with has considerable experience in establishing shallow wetland and other native plant communities and will apply that experience to implement the revegetation plan and to monitor it to ensure success. The margins of the lake (emergent and marginal zones) will be revegetated with shallow wetland species. Upland fringes will be revegetated with appropriate riparian species. Plant species to be established are shown in the attached Table 1. Other desirable native plants available on site and in reference areas nearby will also be acceptable. -- Condition 11. — CCR 3705(m)• No performance standards are presented in the reclamation plan. Performance standards are required for agricultural lands and for wildlife habitat. 9. 26 1 CCR 3705(m) states that "either baseline data or data from nearby reference areas may be used as the standard for comparison." The revegetation scientist that Baldwin proposes to retain for this project has considerable experience establishing wetland and other native vegetation and will apply that experience to set up app�'opriatereference areas for both the plant site irrigated agricultural reclaimed area as well as the perimeter of the lake. Productivity of the irrigated ' agricultural land at the reclaimed plant site will be compared to that of adjacent irrigated agricultural land on the M&T Ranch. The plant site will revert to become a part of a larger field on the M&T Ranch and will be managed the same as the rest of the land in that field. Performance standards for the shallow wetlands and lake perimeter will be evaluated based on the effectiveness of the vegetation for wildlife habitat by comparing appropriate measures of cover, density and species richness of the reclaimed lands to similar parameters on reference areas. n 1 e t t Several areas on the. M&T Ranch retain native riparian plant communities typical of the Sacramento Valley. Mixed gallery forests of valley oaks, walnuts, cottonwoods, willows, and understory shrubs (buttonbush, elderberry, poison oak, etc.) downstream of the mine site and in areas along sloughs of the Sacramento River within a couple of miles of the mine site will serve as suitable reference areas and as sources of seeds and planting stock for the revegetation effort. Methods for monitoring and assessment will be based on guidelines provided in the Department.of Conservation's recently published manual on the rehabilitation process for disturbed lands (Newton and Claassen, 2003). 10 27' Table 1. Target Plant Community Components Plant Zone S ecies Planting Methods* Emergent Pondweed Rooted cuttings in shallow water Smartweed Rooted cuttings in shallow water Shoreline Willow Pole cuttings placed in moist fringe areas Cottonwood Pole cuttings in moist fringe areas Valley Oak Acoms planted in upland fringes Black Walnut Nuts or rooted cuttings Wild Rose Rooted cuttings in upland fringes Needlegrass Seeding uplands after weed control Saltgrass Plugs in moist fringe areas Marginal Zones Tules Plugs/rhizomes in wet areas Bulrush Plugs/rhizomes in wet areas Willows Cuttings in wet zones *Note: Many of these plants are expected to become established in the habitat creation zone through natural recruitment. Part of the revegetation specialist's job will be to asses recruitment success and determine the need for plant augmentation (through planting seeds c emplacing cuttings). References Newton; G. A., and V. P. Claassen. 2003. Rehabilitation of Disturbed Lands in California: A Manual for Decision—Making. State of California Department of Conservation/California Geological Survey. 228 pp.