Oy Kevin, We all want to see you succeed. But to get solid input will help us.
Just to solidify.
What is your experience with cattle? What is your experience with farming? No previous experience isn't a bad thing a solid plan will be needed.
You have not yet been on site.
High mountain strip mine? Is the strip mines area on the flat? You mentioned amount of material removed? Cessation of mining requires restoration in the US. What does amount of material removed mean. Was the site not restored?
What construction disturbance was caused with a proposed data center not on the property? If the disturbance of a proposed data center is so great that it has influenced the aquifer it is was more than proposed. In reference to the project site, proximity and topography of the disturbed proposed data center location would help. Extent and type of disturbance? Dunal aquifers in the area with an aquitard have relatively shallow depths. You haven't mentioned dunes so I am assuming that the ground is not purely sand. Non Dunal areas have a much deeper depth to aquifer depending on location and geology up to several hundred meters deep.
Your water rights you have explained come from a river. Are you also drawing by well from the aquifer? That would be an important piece of information.
10k of flat ground great, now how much more is added with the mountainous component. What an incredible addition to the scope of the property, and its potential.
A poster from Australia asked a question and in your comment you said "Do you follow Federal Policy much" being from outside the US he probably doesn't. But he does live in an arid climate and probably has on the ground real time/experience for input.
What diseases are you concerned with? I still fail to see the Stamet connection and the need in the initial proof of concept with your project. There is no current Ecoli issue and if it does become one then you can implement mushroom remediation. Something that can be stacked on should the need arise as your AU's increase.
40 mil budget. "Yes the works" What does that mean? 40 mill absolute budget. Absolute budget meaning that is it in total. Or 40 mil plus? If it is 40 mil plus what is the plus? Equipment, housing, cattle?
Wow more than 1AU per acre. An incredible goal.
Ok first year, what do you see happening. Your first step.
Can you share with me how plant oxidation and the imprinting of grass seeds will increase fire hazard. The papers indicate the opposite to date. The imprinting depression help retain surface water and green vegetation. Savory and the return of cattle to a grazing site is a bit different than the imprinting reference.
It sounds like a State of Emergency Flood Plain would be something entirely different from what you are looking for. Addressing local erosion on private property might need some type of permitting but if it does not meet those emergency standards a declaration of an emergency in all likelihood would not happen and not open up the State or Fed wallets. Depending on the State, funds might be available to address erosion issues.
What State, Holy Moly, water rights, available grants, legal hurdles, all are different in NM, AZ, TX. What State Kevin?
You indicate that there is an NDA once you begin how is that Non Disclosure Act going to impact your project. How is that NDA impacting your research? It hampers getting answers here. Did the NDA have any issue with your conversation with the County Clerk? When does the NDA conclude. Maybe asking for input with an NDA currently in place is too soon.
Circular answers don't help. "The mountains are larger than a MN ski mountain", doesn't give us any help. How much more mountain property is now included? Some little tid bit of topography.
How the river flows through the site, relationship of river path and flat vs mountain.
I'm sure your mind is racing with a project this size. Don't add on components that are not an immediate issue. Ecoli and mushroom remediation is not something in the mix yet. Erosion is something that might be addressed as you determine how you are going to direct water. Erosion might be addressed as you work in the new mountain component. Boots on the ground and an in-person assessment will be great.