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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 />component, and can exacerbate the problem of weedy invasion by cheatgrass and similar species. <br />South Fan Shaft Reclamation Area <br />This area had been heavily grazed last year, and as a result, the operator erected fencing to exclude <br />cattle this winter. The fencing installed was two-strand smooth wire. It appears to have been somewhat <br />effective, as the revegetated area had not been grazed as closely as last year, but it was evident that <br />there had been some cattle within the fenced area. It appears that the fence needs to be improved to <br />effectively keep the cows out; installation of a couple strands of barbed wire to the existing fence is <br />recommended. <br />The area currently supports a relatively diverse stand of shrubs, and cool season grasses are relatively <br />well represented. Grasses had been lightly grazed, but a number of grass plants have produced seed <br />stalks this year. This area is located along an established cattle trail, and has been heavily grazed in the <br />past. Maintenance of an effective fence to exclude cattle from the area will allow the seeded grasses to <br />become successfully established. <br />RSRDA Borrow Area <br />Electric fencing has been installed around the perimeter of this revegetated area, and it appears to have <br />been effective for the most part. There was evidence that a small number of cattle had been inside the <br />fenced area this spring for a short time, but minimal evidence of grazing was apparent. The site is still <br />largely dominated by storksbill, cheatgrass, and other winter annuals. Patches of Russian thistle had <br />recently germinated in some areas. Over-all, perennial vegetation establishment is disappointing, <br />although there is some improvement as compared to last year. Relatively dense patches of shadscale <br />saltbush seedlings are present in some areas, along with patches of forage kochia, scattered perennial <br />grasses and Palmer penstemon. Effective fencing will likely need to be maintained here for several years <br />to allow seeded perennials to become established. <br />There has been a serious infestation of whitetop weed at this location in the past, and there is still a <br />remnant population, but the operator's control efforts (spring application of "Curtail" herbicide) have been <br />effective in controlling the weed. , <br />"B" Fan Site Reclaimed Area <br />There is good establishment of seeded perennial grasses, fortis, shrubs, and subshrubs in this small area. <br />RSRDA Waste Disposal Area <br />There are large patches of dense cheatgrass on the RSRDA slopes this spring, alternating with areas <br />where cheatgrass is largely absent. There is a high density of shrubs and subshrubs on all seeded areas, <br />even in the dense cheatgrass stands, with greasewood and forage kochia the dominant species. Fourwing <br />saltbush, shadscale, and winterfat are also significant components of the stand. Perennial cool season <br />grasses are well represented in areas where cheatgrass density is relatively low, sparse in areas where <br />cheatgrass density is high. <br />7 <br />