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May 28, 2014 C- 1992 - 080 /Carbon Junction Mine MLT <br />OTHER (Vegetation on Adjacent Undisturbed Areas) <br />• A number of spectacular cacti were observed in undisturbed areas immediately adjacent to <br />the reclamation, including Mountainball cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii); Kingcup cactus <br />(Echinocereus triglochidiatus); and Banana yucca (Yucca baccata) (Photos 6, 7 and 8) <br />ROADS — Rule 4.03 <br />Construction 4.03.1(3) / 4.03.2(3); Drainage 4.03.1(4) / 4.03.2(4); Surfacing and Maintenance <br />4.03.1(5) and (6) / 4.03.2(5) and (6); Reclamation 4.03.1(7) / 4.03.2(7): <br />• The main haul / access road, which is paved, was in fair condition. <br />• Mr. Savage made notes during the inspection regarding features (including roads) that the <br />surface owner (Oakridge Energy, Inc.) may wish to retain as permanent features. Formal <br />delineation and documentation of each of these will likely be included in the upcoming <br />application for a Permit Revision. <br />• The reclaimed North Pit road, which was regraded and repaired in late in 2013, was in good <br />condition (Photo 9). <br />RECLAMATION SUCCESS - Rule 4.15, Rule 3: <br />• At the North Pit, the eastern margin of the reclaimed upper slope was found to be in tight <br />contact with the adjacent, steeply- dipping sandstone bedrock (Photo 10). <br />REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />• We traversed most of the reclaimed areas on foot, and found that revegetation efforts appear <br />to have been largely successful. A variety of grasses were present, including Slender <br />wheatgrass, Mountain brome, and Indian ricegrass. Forbs such as Lewis flax, Sainfoin, and <br />Cicer milkvetch were also identified. (Photos 11 and 12) <br />• The undisturbed area immediately south of the reclaimed Pond 1 area includes a significant <br />component of Cheat grass, which thankfully does not appear to have transgressed into the <br />reclamation (Photo 13). <br />• Boulders placed on the reclaimed side slopes of the North Pit road are creating protected <br />areas where the vegetation differs somewhat from that seen on the surrounding slopes (Photo <br />14). <br />• The south side of the Upper Carbon Junction channel, which was regraded and seeded in <br />November 2013, was beginning to show some signs of grasses sprouting. It was encouraging <br />to see that Narrowleaf cottonwoods transplanted during the project were sprouting new <br />shoots from their bases (Photo 15). <br />• This inspection was used to identify any emerging populations of noxious weeds that will <br />require treatment. We found a number of locations where large Scotch thistle rosettes have <br />appeared. This species has not generally been observed at this site; there may have been a <br />seed bank present in the soil, and recent climatic conditions encouraged germination. <br />Concentrated zones were observed on the lower slope of the North Pit (Photo 16); around <br />Topsoil Stockpile No. 7; and in the Upper Carbon Junction Canyon. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 3 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 4 Page 3 of 13 <br />