techniques. Holistic approach When the top successional species for the local environment is not forest due to local microclimate conditions, reclamation may be better accomplished by establishing rangeland instead. Holistic management has been championed by Dan Dagget and others for mine reclamation in these types of situations. When the best available material is not topsoil, topsoil can be made on site by using early successional species of native hardy perennial grasses and other plants, combined with livestock substituting for the species of wildlife needed to complete the biosystem. In particular soil development and soil biota play a substantial role in post mining development. Although soil restoration in post mining land brings many challenges, it also bring opportunities. For example it is noteworthy that the rate of soil carbon storage on post mining soil can be very high and may exceeded the rate of carbon storage one may gain, e.g., by reforestation of arable land. Grade the best available material to the required topography, establishing keylines. Sow the native species of early successional species of plants and grasses. Cover the area with a loose layer of hay mulch to provide the initial "jump start" of forage required for the livestock. Using keylines as a guide, establish paddocks and implement holistic planned grazing techniques to heal the land. If the goal is to establish a wildlife area or natural park, as the keystone species begin returning (a process called ecological succession) or are introduced in large enough numbers, livestock can be reduced or eliminated. Alternatively, an integrated approach can be taken that uses the holistic approach to accomplish the first three steps of the forestry reclamation approach. Once those first three steps are accomplished and well-established, the livestock grazing can be reduced or eliminated to allow medium and higher successional species to take root and continue the forestry approach. United States Prior to 1977, there were no federal laws regulating the surface mining aspect of the coal mining industry. Although many states with mining activity had passed laws to regulate operations, the laws varied from state to state and enforcement was inconsistent. Even as states began to enact more stringent regulatory legislation after World War II, they often lacked the funding to administer and enforce the legislation. Guidelines for post-mining reclamation were generally less stringent than they are today. For example, Colorado began a voluntary reclamation program in 1965, in which the