Reclamation and Restoration
PSI 139 Abandoned Mine Site
Mojave National Preserve, California

Burleson completed habitat restoration of PSI 139 an abandoned mine site located in the Mescal Range within the National Park Service (NPS) Mojave National Preserve (MNP). Burleson completed biological surveys to identify special status species that may be impacted by the construction activities. A habitat restoration plan and a vegetation monitoring protocol were prepared. Burleson completed transects to determine the plant profiles, collected soil samples for analysis, and coordinated the selection of native seeds.

Before Grading

  The historic prospecting
  operations at PSI 139
  created 3-acre visual scar
  near an access point to the
  MNP. Excavation
  depressions, creation of
  waste rock piles, and
  diversion of drainages
  interrupted the natural flow of water across the site. During the 50 years since mining ceased numerous protected plants including Yucca brevifolia, and cactus colonized the waste rock piles and disturbed land surface.

After Grading

  Burleson's goal was to
  ontour the site, direct
  surface water to original
  drainage ways, and
  establish native vegetation.
  The habitat restoration plan
  (HRP) defined success
  criteria, determined passive
  and active seeding and vegetation transplanting areas, provided erosion control practices, and corrective action measures. The vegetation monitoring protocol (VMP) presented maintenance and vegetation monitoring methods and schedules. The intent of the VMP was to standardize monitoring and the evaluation for success.

Burleson set-up a native plant nursery, identified the drainage courses, salvaged the protected native plants, filled the rock cuts and depressions, and restored the drainage flow lines. After grading was complete, Burleson planted the salvaged plants and hydroseeded the area with native seeds.

Maintenance and monitoring to document progress toward quantitative restoration goals are ongoing. The construction and restoration was completed in 5 days, right before the rainy season. Within a week of completion the site received both rain and snow that is expected to enhance recovery. The project was completed under budget and the NPS was impressed with our performance with the conceptual renderings that allowed for discussion and changes prior to starting work.