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Glossary of Terms

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r
Raffinate
Barren process solution used in the leaching process. Raffinate solutions are generally refortified before being used in the leaching process. In Arizona these solutions generally come from the solvent extraction process and are produced when the mineral to be recovered has been removed from solution.
Rangeland
Land used for grazing by livestock and big game animals on which vegetation is dominated by grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, or shrubs.
Ranger District
Administrative subdivisions of the forest supervised by a district ranger who reports to the forest supervisor.
RCP
Rosemont Copper Project
Reagent
A chemical used in the mineral recovery process.
Reclamation
The process of contouring, stabilizing, and/or vegetating to convert disturbed land to its former use or other productive uses.
Reconstruction
Road or trail construction activities that take place on an existing road or trail, usually to raise the standard of the road or trail.
Record of Decision
A document separate from, but associated with, an environmental impact statement that publicly and officially discloses the responsible official’s decision on the proposed action. In addition to the decision, the ROD states the alternatives considered, the environmentally preferable alternative or alternatives, factors considered in the agency’s decision, mitigation measures that will be implemented, and identifies any applicable enforcement and monitoring programs.
Region 3
A Forest Service organizational unit—the Southwestern Region—consisting of all national forests in New Mexico and Arizona, plus four national grasslands in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Right-of-way (ROW)
The legal right for use, occupancy, or access across land or water areas for a specified purpose or purposes.
Riparian Area
Land areas that are directly influenced by water. They usually have visible vegetative or physical characteristics showing water influence. Streamsides, lake borders, or marshes are typical riparian areas.
Road Closure
Not allowing motorized vehicles on a road by physically blocking access and/or posting notices and/or signs. The road remains on the forest transportation inventory system with the intent of reusing the road at a future time.
Road Density
The number of miles of road per square mile.
Road Effect Zone
The area of influence on edge environments parallel to roads.
Road Obliteration
Eliminating an unneeded road and returning the land it occupies to production or to another use. The road is removed from the forest transportation system. When needed for resource protection or to adhere to the forest plan, additional measures such as scarification, seeding or possibly elimination of all roadway features will be done.
ROD
Record of Decision
Run-of-Mine Ore
Uncrushed ore in its natural state, as when first blasted.
Runoff
Precipitation that is not retained on the site where it falls and is not absorbed by the soil.