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VEGETATION INFORMATION Ichanyedl <br />The most representative sites of the cobbly foothill range are found in the northern portions <br />of Section 14. Slope is generally moderate and the surface is very rocky with cobbles mixed <br />throughout the profile. The cobble reduces the volume of soil but does concentrate moisture for <br />plant use. Plant composition varies widely depending on aspect, slope position and influence of <br />other plant species. Mountain muhly is co-dominant with bluegrasses and junegrass below talus <br />slopes covered with gambel oak. Western wheatgrass and blue grama become dominant in areas <br />surrounding the loamy foothill sites. Needle-and-thread and Indian ricegrass produce forage on the <br />more gravelly and sandy east facing slopes. <br />The understory vegetation composition on Table Mountain is varied and different from the <br />previously mentioned area, although [he soils mapping unit is the same. Blue grama is the primary <br />producer along with sideoats grama, and mountain muhly is generally not present. Needle-and- <br />thread and Indian ricegrass have increased in relative proportions with mountain mahogany as the <br />principle shrub species. The change in the plant community is probably a result of the gentle slope <br />and warmer south aspect. These two factors plus heavier grazing pressure has contributed to the <br />reduction of many tall grass species. However, in the far eastern part of Area C the large grassy <br />areas still contain several small stands of Big Bluestem, a major tall grass prairie species. <br />Non-reclaimed Mined Areas - <br />Most of the land included in the affected land was mined within the last two decades. Little <br />reclamation was used with huge piles of rock left scattered about the area and in some places slopes <br />were left at the angle of repose. <br />Visually, the most common species on the site were those from some meager reclamation <br />efforts that were implemented to reclaim the site. These appear to be of two species (at present) - <br />yellow-blossom sweet clover and crested wheatgrass (apparently some western wheatgrass was also <br />planted, but was seen only very sparingly on the site). The area was apparently first planted in <br />Autumn 1976 and over a period of at least four growing seasons apparently heavily grazed each <br />year. The cover in the best areas is about 25 to 35 percent. To some extent, this low cover value is <br />a result of the lack of diversity and general clumping of plants. With this sparse cover, it is unlikely <br />that the vegetated areas would control erosion resulting from severe thunderstorms. Of course, the <br />gazing impact has been severe, and this may explain why western wheatgrass is very sparse on the <br />site. Overgrazing would favor the more hardy crested wheatgrass and yellow-blossom sweet clover. <br />It seems reasonable to assume that the revegetation effort would have been more successful if the <br />area had been restricted from cattle for a few growing seasons and then managed with proper <br />rotation and attention to species phenology. <br />Species found in the older, non-reclaimed areas are listed below. A few might be added after <br />a full season survey, but this list probably contains all the common species and about 75 % or more <br />of all the probable species. <br />List of Species found in revegetated areas <br />1. Yellow-blossom sweet clover Melilotus officinalis <br />2. Heronsbill Erodium cicutarium <br />3. Crested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum <br />4. Butterweed Senecio spartoides <br />5. Fringed sage Artemisla frlgida <br />6. Prairie sage A. ludoviciana <br />Table Mountain Quarry -Castle Concrete Company Exhibit J (Amendment 1) Page 2 <br />