The methodology of Forest Reclamation Approach (FRA) has been tested with research in the Appalachian region and has been shown to be highly effective (Angel et al. 2005, Burger et al. 2005). Modifications to the FRA that were investigated are intended to adapt it to western Washington’s climate and coniferous ecosystem. The modified FRA include three different soil amendments: 1) a control; standard regrading treatment, 2) loosely graded overburden and 3) loosely graded overburden along with an application of power plant bottom ash that form distinct soil physical properties by which the establishment of Douglas-fir seedlings will be affected. This research examine the effectiveness of the modified FRA on establishment of Douglas-fir seedlings by looking at soil water relationships among the three different treatments. One year after the Douglas-fir seedlings are planted and treatments are applied, soil temperature, moisture, infiltration capacity, vegetation cover, erosion and water potential were measured. The objective of this research is to investigate and monitor the soil physical properties that formed under three different modified FRA treatments and its relations with Douglas-fir seedlings survival; and to determine the factors that Douglas-fir seedling establishment is variable to.