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• Monitoring <br />ESCO Associates, Inc conducted successful Phase II <br />vegetation success monitoring on approximately 429 acres <br />(as shown in Figure 1) of eli gible reclamation during the <br />summer and fall of 2014. The Testing for Revegetation <br />success for Phase II Bond Release Report of Findings will <br />be submitted separately. <br />• Weed Control <br />A survey for noxious weeds was carried out on the II -W <br />mine area in the spring of 2013. Monitoring was <br />conducted to determine the need or level of re- treatment <br />necessary for the areas sprayed in 2012. <br />Canada thistle was the primary target species in all control <br />areas, with lesser activity directed toward areas of hounds <br />tongue and whitetop. The applied herbicide consisted of <br />a tank mix of 2.5 gallons of 2.5 gallons of 2,4,D and 250 <br />gallons of water. Escort, at the rate of one (1) ounce per <br />acre was spot sprayed on whitetop. Control areas were <br />sprayed in June, July, and August. See the attached 2013 <br />Weed Spray Location logs for the extent of weed control <br />spraying. <br />A spot spray gun was used to concentrate spraying <br />activities on target areas, reducing potential impacts to adjacent <br />desirable vegetation. The herbicide mix, based on <br />recommendations from the Colorado State Extension Service, <br />was mixed and applied by an outside contractor who is a certified applicator. The weed control areas will <br />continue to be monitored in 2014 for effectiveness and necessary retreatment. See the attached weed <br />control daily logs for more detailed information of the 2013 herbicide application. <br />Figure 1: Phase II Vegetation Success <br />Monitoring Area (429 acres) <br />• Grazing <br />Cattle (104 cow /calf pairs) were moved on to the Seneca II -W reclaim area for 50 days between Sept 5`h <br />and October 25Td. This grazing scheme resulted in a total of 208 AUMs for 2014. See attached 2013 <br />Grazing Plan Map. <br />Assumptions: <br />• One (1) cow /calf pair = 1.2 AUM, One (1) AUM requires 810 lbs. of forage <br />0 50 days (x) 104 cow /calf pairs x 1.2 = 6,240/30 days = 208 animal unit months (AUMs) <br />0 2430 lbs /acre (x) 685.2 acres = 1,665,036 lbs of forage available <br />0 810 lbs (x) 208 AUMs = 168,480 lbs of forage required <br />o Therefore; 168,480 /1,665,036 (x) 100 =10 % utilization of the Seneca II -W reclaim area. <br />6 <br />