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Peaceful Valley Irrigation and Landscaping-Vegetation Management Division <br /> Evaluation/Conclusions of Spring Inspection Whirlwind mine complex 2024 <br /> The mine facility exists in a mature Pinyon/Juniper woodland. The understory is composed of <br /> common native plant species. Common warm season grass species found in within the area <br /> include blue grama(Bouteloua gracilis) and other species of grama grass (B. curtipendula, B. <br /> hirsuta, B. eriopoda),New Mexico muhly (Muhlenbergia pauciflora), curlyleaf muhly <br /> (Muhlenbergia setifolia), and needle and thread grass(Hesperostipa spp.) <br /> Typical shrub species found within the project site include big sage (Artemisia tridentata) <br /> antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), rabbitbrush(Chrysothamnus spp. <br /> and Ericameria spp.), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp.), and snakeweed <br /> (Gutierrezia spp.) <br /> Common herbaceous species include Mule's ear(Wyethia amplexicaulis), curly-cup gumweed <br /> (Grindelia squarrosa), Indian Paintbrush(Castilleja spp) and larkspur(Delphinium spp) among <br /> others. <br /> Few weeds and healthy native plant communities are typically found within the Whirlwind <br /> project site. It is important to note that it is most effective to control weeds early before they <br /> become well established and develop seed banks making it difficult for long term control. This <br /> approach is referred to in weed management as early detection rapid response. Peaceful Valley <br /> performed early detection and control by treating all individual plants that were found during the <br /> Whirlwind Mine site survey. Every noxious weed plant encountered on the site within the 50 <br /> foot buffer either side of the road was treated along with the disturbed area located at the mine <br /> site and parking area. <br /> Noxious weeds that are widespread common problems at the Mine site although not well <br /> established are Kochia(Bassia scoparia), Canada Thistle (Circium arvense) and Houndstongue <br /> (Cynoglossum officionale). The three species named above are the biggest threat to the <br /> Whirlwind mine and lands adjacent to the site. Thistle (Circium spp)will persist along some of <br /> the existing two track roads and livestock/game trails. This species is a high priority for <br /> treatment mainly because it is able to colonize and compete with native native plants very well in <br /> natural areas. All thistles encountered on the access road and within the 50 ft butter were treated. <br /> Kochia weed(Bassia scoparia) and Field Bindweed were treated in 2024 at the entrance to the <br /> fenced mine facility and on parking areas adjacent to the main facility. These annual weed <br /> species display a wide variety of production from year to year and have been the most prominent <br /> at this location for the last couple of seasons. <br /> There was approximately 430 gallons of spray applied over approximately 14 acres of the project <br /> area including the mine office site and roadside from mine site to the intersection of 4.4 road. <br /> The mine office site was sprayed to cover all working/parking areas. The disturbed area at the <br /> office was walked and weeds found were sprayed. The roadside was sprayed 25' to 50' from the <br /> edge of the road where weeds were visible from roadside observation. <br />