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.. ~ O <br />III. COMMENTS -COMPLIANCE <br />Below are comments on the inspection. The comments include discussion of observations made <br />during the inspection. Comments also describe any enforcement actions taken during the <br />inspection and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />Revegetation <br />The two most recently revegetated areas, Pit 1 seeded with <br />perennial mix in fall, 1996; and 720 Pit, seeded with perennial mix <br />in fall, 1995, were walked. Portions of various older reclaimed <br />areas were also viewed. Observations pertinent to specific <br />revegetated parcels are discussed below. Patches of the noxious <br />weed Canada thistle were observed in several areas, including the <br />north and south ends of the 720 pit reclamation, along the gullied <br />channel above Pond E, and along the west side of the road in the <br />vicinity of the double culverts on~the Pond E drainage. These <br />patches should be treated to prevent further spread. <br />Pit 1, 1996, 54.8 ac. <br />There has been minimal emergence of perennial seedlings to <br />date. At this time the site is dominated by volunteer annual <br />rye (last years cover crop), and various annual forbs, most <br />notably field pennycress. Weedy annuals commonly dominate <br />reclaimed sites during the first and second growing seasons, <br />and the presence of these species is not cause for concern. <br />The annual cover and contour furrows appear to have been <br />effective in controlling erosion on the long, relatively steep <br />slopes. In a few areas contour furrows had breached, but the <br />breaches and rilled areas were recently repaired. <br />Various areas reclaimed pre-1981 through 1983 <br />In general, an effective cover of seeded perennials has been <br />established in these older reclaimed areas. Introduced <br />grasses such as intermediate wheatgrass, smooth brome, crested <br />wheatgrass, and Russian wildrye are significant components of <br />the stand in most areas; and dominant in several parcels, to <br />the extent that native shrubs and forbs are largely absent. <br />Other parcels exhibit higher diversity, with some well <br />established big sagebrush stands and significant numbers of <br />woods rose, along with a variety of forbs, including yarrow, <br />blue flax, rocky mountain penstemon, and cicer milkvetch. <br />Common grasses include western wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, <br />Sandberg bluegrass, green needlegrass, Idaho fescue, and <br />bluebunch wheatgrass. <br />