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the landowner and that soil types (and associated productivity) may vary from those found on the <br />mine site both provide support for WFC's proposal to replace this reference area. <br />The old Peabody sage reference area is situated between pre -law disturbance areas and Tuttle <br />draw. The area is approximately 3 acres in size and is fenced to preclude grazing. Mr. Bowles <br />indicated that the soil type here resembles that found in the permitted disturbance area, indicating <br />this would be a more appropriate reference area than the airport location. Dominant vegetation <br />includes big sage (Artemisia tridentata), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), prickly pear <br />(Opuntia polyacantha), beehive cactus (Escobaria vivipara), and needle and thread grass <br />(Hesperostipa comata). These species vary from those included in the reclamation seed mix. <br />Vegetation reference areas will be discussed in greater detail in a separate oversight evaluation <br />report. <br />List B and C noxious weeds were noted throughout the permit area. Whitetop (Lepidium draba), <br />Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorm), and field bindweed (Convolulus <br />arvensis) were abundant and should be controlled. Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa, an <br />allelopathic List B species) was noted off of the permit area near both the airport and the dryland <br />pasture vegetation reference areas. Although WFC is not required to control weeds outside the <br />permit boundary, it would be wise to ensure this species does not invade the reference areas. <br />Maintenance Items: <br />• Noxious weeds need to be controlled. It appears spraying activities have been conducted <br />on the south side of Meehan draw, but additional efforts are necessary. <br />• The stream buffer zone marker on the northwest end of Meehan draw is approximately <br />79' farther from the channel than need be (100' buffer required). This is not a problem, <br />but could be moved to 100' of the channel prior to initiating activities in the Glasier <br />property. <br />3 1 Page <br />