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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 />CRDA-1. Warm season grasses appear to have a very minor presence at this time. <br />Weedy annual species, including various forbs, cheatgrass brome and annual <br />wheatgrass are a significant component of the stand, with dense patches of the annual <br />wheatgrass in several locations. <br />The fall 2002 seeded road corridor supports a very high density and high diversity of <br />seeded shrubs and half shrubs. Greasewood and forage kochia appear to dominate the <br />stand, with a significant presence of winterfat, shadscale saltbush, and fourwing <br />saltbush. Perennial cool season grass establishment is fair, with significant presence o1 <br />annual grasses and forbs. <br />Lower refuse benches seeded in 1994 are dominated by low vigor fourwing saltbush, <br />with a significant presence of greasewood, minimal perennial understory, and over-all <br />low diversity. The lower benches were broadcast seeded in 2001 to improve stand <br />diversity, but significant establishment of the seeded species is not evident. <br />I North Porte/Area -Parcel was seeded in fall 2002. There is a significant "bare area" in <br />the northwest portion of the site that is described in previous reports. The area is <br />largely devoid of vegetation, and salt crusts were noted on the surface earlier in the <br />year. The absence of vegetation is likely due to excessive surface salinity levels, and <br />remedial treatment will likely be necessary. A strip of topsoil from the conveyor corridor <br />topsoil stockpile was placed over a small portion of the bare area and seeded earlier this <br />spring. There has been no appreciable emergence of seeded vegetation to date. On <br />most of the remainder of the parcel there is a relatively high density and diversity of <br />seeded shrubs and half shrubs, and fair establishment of seeded cool season grasses. <br />Annual weeds, primarily kochia and Russian thistle are still significant components of <br />the stand, and cheatgrass and annual wheatgrass are also present. There is an area in <br />the southeast portion of the site approximately 250 to 300 feet in diameter where plant <br />density appears to be lower, and stature of individual plants appears to be smaller than <br />adjacent areas. This may be due to elevated salinity levels or other soil quality factors. <br />0 Coa/ Creek Areas -The small reclaimed corridor along the Coal Creek permanent <br />diversion in the vicinity of Pond 10 and former Topsoil Stockpile 7 was seeded in spring <br />2002. There is a relatively high density of fourwing saltbush and fair cool season grass <br />establishment. Other shrubs and half shrubs are poorly represented; annual weedy <br />species including cheatgrass, annual wheatgrass and an annual barley species are <br />prevalent. Much of this corridor will be re-disturbed in association with future removal <br />of Pond 10 and re-alignment of the coal creek channel. <br />Q Conveyor Corridor 2004 Areas -The corridor on the west side of the river, south of the <br />Xcel road culvert including the Transfer #2 site and the conveyor support site on the <br />east bank of the river were reseeded. in March 2004. Seeded species have only recently <br />6 <br />