2015-11-17_INSPECTION - C1981014

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November 11, 2015 C-1981-014/Southfield Mine RDZ side of the pasture was visible as recent vehicles have traversed a portion of this reclaimed two -track to construct a replacement well further to the west. The two -track has a good stand of blue grama established. • At the east side of the loadout, the vegetation on the south side of the rail line was functional and did not include noxious species. Blue grama was established, as well as annual sunflowers and other annual/biennial species. • Vegetation on the primary portion of the east loadout (north of the rail line) was good and well established. • Sediment pond L1 was reclaimed during the summer of 2015. The vegetation is typical of first growing season after seeding, and is heavily dominated by annual species. Dominant species visible were Russian thistle, kochia, and sunflowers. Cicer milkvetch was noted under the annual cover. EFCI used a mulch to help stabilize the surface prior to vegetation establishment. The site did not exhibit rill development. It was difficult to identify if perennial grasses were becoming established yet. • Vegetation on the previously reclaimed area of the west loadout remains well established on the slope with little evidence of erosion. The flatter area exhibits more annual sunflowers and kochia that the slopes. • Reclaimed Pond L2 is dominated by kochia, curly cup gumweed, sunflower, Senecio, and cicer milkvetch. It was difficult to determine if perennial grass species were becoming established in this area. • The topsoil stockpile footprint near the facilities area (at the intersection of County Road 92 and the RDA access road) has good grass established, consistent with the Vento portal area reclamation. Woody species were transplanted in this area and have established well. • Vegetation on the reclaimed explosives storage area is consistent with the vegetation established in the portal area. Shrubs and trees were not transplanted to this small site that is surrounded by pinyon -juniper woodland. • The Pond 3 area is dominated by blue grama, four -wing salt brush, rabbitbrush, and sand drop seed were the visually dominate species. Noxious weeds were not present. The site was stable and exhibited a healthy stand of grasses and shrubs. • The vegetation throughout the RDA is well established and vigorous. In addition to the reclamation areas, Ms. Binns also observed the three reference areas. • The new portal reference area vegetation appeared healthy. The west side of this reference area is composed of dense oak brush, pinyon pine, mountain mahogany, and juniper. Little forb or grass cover was observed in this denser woody area of the reference area. The south facing slope of the reference area is a little more open and has some grass and forb cover, though this portion of the reference area continues to be dominated by oak brush, juniper and pinyon pine. It appeared that previously disturbed areas were excluded from this reference area. • No concerns were noted with the loadout reference area. • The old portal reference area was observed and all four corner posts were located. This area is dominated by oak brush, mountain mahogany and pinyon pine. One or two ponderosa pine may fall within the reference area boundary. The site is steep and rocky with little grass or forb ground cover. Oak brush is dense and somewhat decadent. • The grassland reference area is located north of the RDA in flat meadow area. EFCI has marked the corners with "t" posts and orange flagging. The grassland reference area is dominated by Blue grama, Stipa, sand dropseed, yucca and juniper. Juniper appears to be invading and becoming more dominant with time. Ponderosa pine are invading from the riparian area on the north side of the reference area. Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 4 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 5 of 36