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September 1, 2015 C-1996-084/Lorencito Canyon Mine JHB <br />Having observed numerous other shrub establishment efforts around the state, elimination of grass competition <br />when the shrubs are young has been an important part of successful establishment. Weed barriers and selective <br />seed selection in the concentrated shrub areas have been used with some degree of success at other locations. The <br />Division is willing to meet with LCC and discuss potential options. <br />REVEGETATION — Rule 4.15 <br />Vegetative Cover; Timing: <br />Observations within the grassland reference area finds the land management has included small patches <br />(1/2 to 1 acre patches) that have been seeded to a wheat crop. The wheat was very short in these plots and appear <br />to have been cut. There were no hay bales left on site. Seeding equipment was stored at the intersection with <br />Puertecito canyon. <br />The Division believes this to be a normal husbandry practice in the valley. It was agreed that if sample transects <br />fall within these planted plots to sample them as a part of the overall reference area. There was no sign that cattle <br />had been turned out on the reference area this growing season. There was ample sign of elk use in the reference <br />area, bedding areas and scat throughout the grassland reference area. There is only one reference area for <br />comparison to the reclaimed area. <br />The reference area consists of the valley bottom of Lorencito Canyon. This area is relatively flat and is bisected <br />by Lorencito creek. The vegetation was very diverse with large areas dominated by Kochia and annual <br />sunflowers, as well as areas consisting predominately of native Blue grama, Fringed sage and Hedgehog cactus. <br />Few noxious weeds were present but introduced" weedy" species were not uncommon. Range condition was fair <br />due to the large areas consisting predominately of Kochia and non-native annuals. Due to the relatively flat <br />slopes, little erosion was observed in the grassland reference area. The inspector observed the sampling crew on <br />the first two transects collected in the grassland reference area T2 & T3. <br />The inspector observed the reclaimed parcel on 9/2. The reclaimed area is higher in elevation than the reference <br />area and exhibits steeper slopes, both north, east and south facing slopes. The upper two benches of Fill 9 are <br />dominated by annual sunflowers. There is little soil remaining on the slopes with a considerable amount of fine <br />material (topsoil) caught in the terraces. <br />The ridge north of Fill 9 appears to exhibit a more stable stand of perennial species. Winterfat is very common in <br />this area. Cover is fair to good, with a fair amount of bare ground still visible through the vegetation. The north <br />facing slope in this parcel appears fairly well vegetated. Rills that previously were troublesome in this area appear <br />to have been repaired or healed naturally. <br />The steep slope west of ditch D3 in the proposed sampling parcel appears stable and well vegetated. <br />SLIDES and DAMAGE - Rule 4.12: <br />Repairs to the slope north of ditch D 17 appear to be holding up well. It appears that vegetation is <br />beginning to take hold on this slope. <br />Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 3 <br />Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 0 <br />Page 5 of 12 <br />