Show Can Old Mine Mille Sites Be Helped Can lands mined for phosphate phosphate phosphate phate be restored to grass and timber areas This urgent environmental question is being being be be- ing considered by mining companies companies companies com com- and Forest Service personnel personnel personnel per per- in in joint studies underway underway underway under under- way in Idaho THE TilE MUTUAL concern for mining sites is indicated by financial support support sup sup- support port the mining interests have contributed to cooperatively determine what vegetation most readily prevents erosion and improves esthetic values In 1966 the Monsanto Company Company Com Corn pany J. J R. R Simplot Company El Paso Products Service Company Company Company Com Com- pany and FMC Corporation working with the Caribou National National National Na Na- Forest initiated an administrative administrative administrative ad ad- study in southeastern southeastern south south- southeastern eastern Idaho GOALS OF the study said Regional Forester Floyd Iverson Iverson Iverson Iver- Iver son are to find ways to protect protect protect pro pro- quality of water coming from mined watersheds to provide for soil stabilization to return mined areas to production production pro pro- and to find ways of making mined areas esthetically esthetically esthetically esthetic- esthetic ally acceptable A report on the administrative tive study at the end of 1969 shows that a total of plots have been established on three mine sites since 1966 In these plots trees and shrubs have been hand planted During 1969 85 of the plots were established using the most promising plant species from previous years ADDITIONAL planting willbe will willbe willbe be discontinued for the remainder remainder remainder remain remain- der of the study Evaluation of established plots plus observations observations observations and appraisals of so soil l scientists hydrologists engineers engineers engineers engi engi- and wildlife biologists will provide additional information information information mation in directing rehabilitation rehabilitation i tation efforts JL General trends observed to date in the study are helping provide answers to many problems problems problems lems found in rehabilitating mined areas When definite answers are found they may be of help to similar areas throughout the nation THE STUDY has identified 21 of 40 test species of trees that do best although species vary in performance from site to site Of the 12 grass species tried six appear best based on germination density and vigor Three of the best forbs tried are ranger alfalfa yellow sweet clover and crown vetch A complete report on the cooperative administrative study w will i I 1 be available in in 1971 reported Regional Forester Forester For For- Forester ester Iverson |