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needlegrass, the perennial needlegrass which does not need so much nitrogen can gain <br /> the upper hand. The next two years should be interesting on this burned area to see just <br /> how the vegetation recovers. <br /> Canada Thistle that has been so abundant on the wash fines near the processing plant <br /> has declined tremendously as a result of control efforts. Elsewhere it is about the same. <br /> This species was not checked in the lowland areas where it was introduced in 2012 by <br /> the flooding. Control efforts in 2013 appeared to be successful, but a check at the same <br /> time the Tamarix is checked will provide results. <br /> This year Musk, Bull, and Scotch Thistles appear to have made a large upward swing <br /> in abundance. Strangely, these species appear to be highly confined to only the natural <br /> vegetation and although a few patches occur here and there in the reclamation areas, <br /> their abundance and vigor is generally far less than in the natural vegetation. It is <br /> unknown why this difference exists but it may be due to some difference in the soils <br /> where reclamation soils are simply not very suitable for these species while natural, <br /> undisturbed soils are highly favorable. A few stands of these thistles were found where <br /> it appears the stand is quite thick on adjacent natural land but only makes small inroads <br /> into the reclamation area. Whether this indicates it is just getting a toehold in the <br /> reclamation soils or wether there is something there that the thistles don't like is hard <br /> to tell. But with the high abundance of these thistles on natural land and the low <br /> abundance on reclaimed land leads to a possible conclusion that these species will only <br /> grow on reclaimed soils where there is something about the soil that makes it suitable <br /> and elsewhere the soil is simply not supportive of the species. At any rate, it appears <br /> that a widespread control effort needs to be initiated throughout the region to bring <br /> these large and very unsightly weeds under control. Unless they become very dense, <br /> these species are not really a problem, but they do give the natural vegetation an <br /> appearance that someone is not managing the land very well. The impact is more <br /> visual than ecological, but if the populations continue to increase at the rate seen in the <br /> last two years these plants could become an ecological problem in the habitat. <br /> B. New weed species: No new weed species have been noted. <br /> 2. Weed status on lessee responsibility lands: As described above. <br /> OTHER INFORMATION THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE: No <br /> particular information was gathered in the last year that would be relevant to future operations. <br /> DESCRIPTION OF UNUSUAL CONDITIONS OR EVENTS: No unusual events or conditions <br /> were encountered in the last year. Everything remained quite stable. However, comments made <br /> particularly in the 2013 annual report are still relevant, but need not be repeated here. <br /> PHOTOGRAPHS: Please refer to the photographic documentation CD for photographs of the site <br /> taken in the last year. <br /> Status report for 2014 due July 15, 2014 Page 9 of 10 <br />