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Monitoring /Sampling <br />ESCO and Associates, Inc. conducted <br />revegetation monitoring of permanently <br />revegetated areas during the summer of 2014. <br />The second of the required two years of <br />vegetation sampling for phase III was completed <br />on those areas approved for phase II and seeded <br />from 2001 to 2004. The first of the required two <br />years of phase III vegetation sampling was <br />completed on areas that have received phase II <br />bond release that were seeded after 2004. The <br />2014 Annual Revegetation Monitoring report has <br />not been received at the time of this report and <br />will be submitted separately upon completion. <br />Weed Control <br />Survey for noxious weeds was carried out on the <br />Yoast Mine permit area in 2014. Monitoring was <br />conducted in 2014 to determine the need or level <br />of retreatment necessary for areas sprayed in 2013. <br />Canada thistle was the primary target species in all <br />control areas, with lesser activity directed towards 2014 Phase III year 1 sampling (orange), <br />areas of hound's tongue and whitetop. Control and Phase III year 2 sampling (red) <br />areas were sprayed in May, August and September. Specific spraying for jointed goat grass <br />was performed in identified areas near Pond 10. A spot spray gun was used to concentrate <br />control activities on target areas, reducing potential impacts to adjacent desirable vegetation. <br />The herbicide mix, based on recommendations from the Colorado State Extension Service, <br />was mixed and applied by a certified commercial applicator. The weed control areas will <br />continue to be monitored in 2014 for effectiveness and necessary retreatment. See attached <br />2014 Weed Control (daily) Logs for a detailed description and location of the 2014 herbicide <br />application. <br />Grazing <br />Sheep (850 ewes) were moved on to the Yoast reclaim area for 20 days between September <br />15`h and October 5`h. This grazing scheme resulted in a total of 114 AUMs for 2014. <br />Assumptions: <br />Five (5) sheep = 1.0 AUM <br />One (1) AUM requires 810 lbs. of forage <br />20 days (x) 850/5 animal units = 3400 animal days - 30 days = 114 animal unit months <br />(AUM) <br />1100 lbs /acre (x) 798 acres = 877,800 lbs of forage available <br />810 lbs (x) 114 AUMs = 92,340 lbs of forage required <br />Therefore; <br />92,340 - 877,800 (x) 100 = 10.5 % utilization of the Yoast reclaimed area. <br />N <br />