Pulp facilities which recycle office waste paper generate large amounts of waste by-products in the process of producing high-grade pulp. The paper-like residue, called de-inking residue, was evaluated for use in the revegetation of coarse taconite tailings in northeastern Minnesota. Minnesota Mineland Reclamation Rules specify that a 90 percent vegetative cover shall be established on tailings after three growing seasons; however, the 90 percent cover requirement on coarse tailings has not been consistently achieved using standard reclamation practices. Research plots were established in 1992 at the Eveleth Mines Fairlane Plant utilizing a randomized block design using five levels of de-inking residue, five levels of fertilization, and two plant mixes on 2.5-by 4.0-m plots. Lysirneters were installed to monitor changes in sub-surface water quality. Vegetative cover was measured at two sampling periods each in 1992 and 1993. Fertilization and de-inking residue amendments had significant effects on the vegetative cover of introduced and native plant species. Vegetative cover for introduced species increased from no cover to 49 percent at the end of the first growing season, to 90 percent at the end of the second growing season on tailings fertilized at the highest level and amended with residue at 22.4 kg ha· 1 • At the same fertilizer and de-inking residue rate, vegetative cover for native plants increased from no cover to 7 percent at the end of the first growing season, to 69 percent at the end of the second growing season.