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EXHIBIT J <br /> Vegetation Information <br /> Vegetation over most of the Timnath Connell Pit site has been disturbed by mining and <br /> reclamation activities. Prior to the original 1999 permit application, the property was planted <br /> with seasonal irrigated crops for over 50 years. With the soils being tilled and graded for flood <br /> irrigated crops, the native vegetation had been removed from the cropland prior to, or during, <br /> planting. <br /> Currently, a large part of the proposed permit amendment area (primarily in Phase 1) is lacking <br /> any significant vegetation because of mining and material processing operations. Areas of <br /> Phase 1 that have been revegetated primarily contain a grass mixture composed of the previously <br /> approved reclamation seed mix — thinspike wheatgrass, sideoats grama, and switchgrass. <br /> Reclaimed areas of Phase 2 are also covered with the approved reclamation grass mixture. <br /> Reclaimed areas around the recharge ponds exhibit a slightly higher diversity of vegetation <br /> species. The extra water availability around the recharge pond shorelines has produced volunteer <br /> wetland and riparian vegetation growth including low growing sedges and rushes intermixed <br /> with thicker growth of reclamation seed mix and other grasses. Isolated patches of riparian trees <br /> and shrubs (i.e. cottonwoods and willow) are also found along the edges of the recharge ponds. <br /> Timnath Connell Pit <br /> DRMS 112 Permit Amendment Application Page 21 <br />