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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 inspection <br />and the facts or evidence supporting the enforcement action. <br />Revegetation/Reclamation Success, Cont'd <br />There are scattered areas on the east and north facing slopes where grasses and shrubs are notably less <br />robust than other areas, which is likely due to areas of elevated soil salinity, but seeded vegetation has <br />become established in all areas. <br />There are widely scattered patches of the perennial forb Palmer penstemon; subshrubs are largely absent <br />from the stand. <br />The lower benches of CRDA-1, reclaimed in 1994, support a diverse stand of seeded shrubs and grasses, <br />with a modest component of subshrubs and scattered perennial fortis. Annuals are present in some <br />locations, bui they are a much smaller component of the vegetation than on CRDA-2. <br />CBA-2 Soil Borrow Area <br />This area is characterized by a relatively high density of four-wing saltbush, and greasewood shrubs, with <br />scattered shadscale, and a significant presence of the subshrub forage kochia. Perennial grasses are <br />relatively sparse in most areas, with higher density on the north facing slopes. There is a moderate <br />presence of winter annuals, primarily cheatgrass and storksbill. cheatgrass density on the reclamation <br />appears to be lower than in adjacent undisturbed areas. <br />Conveyor Corridor, Transfer Site 2 to Xcel Road <br />This site is still dominated by annual weeds, including cheatgrass and other winter annuals, as well as <br />annual Kochia and Russian thistle. There are good numbers of seedling shrubs, and scattered seeded <br />grasses. <br />Conveyor Corridor, Public Road to Rail Loop <br />Most areas remain weedy, mostly cheatgrass, other winter annuals and annual Kochia. There is good <br />shrub establishment in most areas; four-wing saltbush is dominant but greasewood and rubber <br />rabbitbrush have a significant presence. Perennial grasses are sparse and patchy. <br />2-West Portals <br />Revegetation success in these disturbed areas is as described in previous reports. Poor establishment on <br />the steep slope portal backfill areas, where remedial seeding will be conducted this fall. Diverse perennial <br />cover in the flat stockpile and substation seeded areas. There was a small patch of whitetop noted along <br />the channel near the lower portal area, which will need to be sprayed next year. <br />South Fan Borrow Area <br />This small area supports a diverse stand of seeded perennial shrubs and grasses. Grasses had been <br />closely grazed by cattle this spring. Operator should consider fencing of this area, as well as areas at the <br />2-West Portals, which are subject to cattle grazing, to maintain the grass component of the stands. <br />Grasses can be damaged by grazing during the first few years of establishment, and this is particularly <br />true in semi-desert areas, in which Roadside Mine is located. Grazing during the initial years of <br />establishment, or concentrated grazing every year can result in loss of the perennial grass <br />6 <br />