*5.2. Description of Alternatives*

The following three (3) restoration alternatives were examined (the comparative cost data were collected from [46–49]):

*(A1) Technical Restoration*: It refers to a project with high capital expenditures (3.500–5.000 €/ha) and an implementation period of 3–4 years. The project targets are: (a) large-scale reclamations for recovering the affected landscape, (b) treatment of contaminated, polluted or toxic soils and waters, (c) measures and infrastructures enabling development of recreation activities, (d) upgrading of biodiversity at post mining ecosystems. The measures and main infrastructures suggested are: slope stabilization; excavation/backfilling of removed earth material; land compaction/relevelling; redesign and reconstruction of existing roads; erection of buildings for accommodation of 300 visitors; erection of recreation and cultural facilities (sport camps and a museum for the mining history); reforestation/replantation to the 35–40% of the entire project area; upgrading of near lake settlement; installation of fire protection system; utilities for irrigation, sewing, water supply, power and communication; removal of polluted, contaminated and toxic wastes and charged waters; replacement of selected topsoil; measures ensuring land fertility; measures for recovery of sensitive habitats and biota; measures for increase of employment.

*(A2) Restoration focused on Natural Processes*: It refers to a project with low capital expenditures (less than 500 €/ha) and an implementation period of 10 years. The project targets are: (a) medium to low scale reclamations for recovering the affected landscape, (b) treatment of contaminated, polluted or toxic soils and waters, (c) protection of biodiversity at post mining ecosystems. The measures and main infrastructures suggested are: selective backfilling at the most adversely excavated lignite layers and seams; soil and stabilization at locations with the highest possibility of post mining erosion effects; removal of polluted, contaminated and toxic soil, mining wastes and water bodies; installation of fire protection system; irrigation and water management measures; measures for recovery of sensitive habitats and biota; replacement of selected topsoil at locations with recultivation capability and good fertility; implementation of a long-term environmental monitoring and physical restoration plan (also known as 'spontaneous succession' [5]) plan.

*(A3) Combined Solution*: It refers to a project with moderate capital expenditures (800–1500 €/ha), with an implementation period of 5–7 years. The project targets are: (a) large-scale reclamations

for recovering the affected landscape, (b) treatment of contaminated, polluted and toxic soils and waters, (c) measures and infrastructures enabling mainly the development of agroforestal activities, (d) upgrading of the biodiversity at post mining ecosystems. The measures and main infrastructures suggested are: excavation and backfilling of removed earth material; soil and slope stabilization; compaction and levelling; local modifications of existing traffic network; erection of low scale recreation and cultural facilities (sport camps and a museum of mining history); reforestation/replantation of the 25–35% of the project area; installation of fire protection system; removal of polluted, contaminated and toxic soil, mining wastes and water bodies; replacement of removed/selected topsoil at the 40–50% of the project area; measures for recovery of sensitive habitats and biota; implementation of a long-term environmental monitoring and physical restoration plan.
