2015-02-18_REPORT - C1981014 (3)

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2014 Annual Reclamation Report Southfield Mine 4 Ponderosa pine 20 48 Skunkbrush sumac 16 Refuse Area Shrub Clumps (large) 4 (2 times the above seedling numbers) 52 48 Ponderosa pine Pinon pine Red cedars Mountain mahogany Skunkbrush sumac Shrub clump planting involved specific methods intended to improve plant survival rates. All seedlings were placed in holes along with a moisture retaining gel to keep the roots moist. On the ground surface, various methods of mulching were installed which incorporated approximately sixty percent of the planted seedlings. In addition, nearly half the plants were wrapped with plastic mesh shrub guards to reduce wildlife browsing damage. During the summer season of 2006, Mr. Kent Crofts of I.M.E. , Inc. did the interim revegetation sampling and reporting at the mine site, the refuse pile area and at the Loadout site. Energy Fuels was committed to monitor vegetation during Year 3 (2006) and Year 7 (2010) in the permit document. The vegetation sampling was completed and the respective reports are on file with the DRMS. Four (which is 33 %) of the twelve shrub and tree seedling plots were also sampled during 2006. Plots sampled were: 113; 213; 2E; & 3C. The plots are labeled and can be seen on Map 1, Mine Site Reclamation Map. Averages of overall survival of species are as follows: Ponderosa Pine, 87.5 %; Rocky Mtn Juniper, 74.2 %; Skunkbush Sumac, 51.3 %; Mountain Mahogany, 44 %; Pinion Pine, 62.5 %. The Rocky Mtn Juniper fared best of the plots sampled ranging from 66.7 % to 100%. Mountain Mahogany had the higher mortality rate of the sites sampled. It was visibly noticeable that the Mountain Mahogany appeared more stressed & suffered more mortality than the other seedling species. With limited precipitation during both years 2011 and 2012, the small trees and shrubs were showing signs of stress due to the lack of moisture. During the summer season of 2010, triangular structures of woven wire fencing and steel fence posts were installed around selected tree and shrub transplants that showed stress or damage from wildlife browsing. In the following years, the structures benefited some of the tree /shrubs while others suffered mortality. Previously Revegetated Areas Previously revegetated areas at the Mine Site include the main facilities area, small ancillary facility areas, and the west portion of the refuse disposal area that were seeded with the permanent seed mix in 2003. The remaining previously revegetated areas (pre 2003) lay primarily on the eastern and mid portion of the refuse disposal area. The more recent areas seeded and mulched in 2003 exhibited good vegetative conditions considering the relatively dry winter &