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September 2004 Inspection Reve etg atiom As a result of the review of the 2003 Annual Reclamation Report, the Division determined from review of the seed tags that the seed mix used in 2003 on approximately 13 acres of the Corley property was not the seed mix approved as part of the reclamation plan. Two introduced species (crested wheat grass and intermediate wheatgrass) were included while two native species (beardless bluebunch wheatgrass and Indian ricegrass) were excluded from the actual seed mix used. As a result of this finding, the Division issued NOV C-2004-003. Visual inspection of the Corley property confarms that crested wheatgrass is present in numbers that are noticeable. Inspection on the adjacent Vento property seeded in 2003 indicated that crested wheat grass was not present to any significant degree. Vegetation on the reclaimed areas has dried-down due to the approach of the end of the growing season for the year. Shrub transplant mortality continues to be low at this time. Some disruption of rabbit guards protecting many of the shrubs was noted. October 2004 Inspection Reve etg ation The growing season is effectively over at this site for the year. Vegetation on the reclaimed areas has dried-down due to frost and cooler temperatures. Shrub transplant mortality continues to be low at this time and disruption of rabbit guards protecting many of the shrubs continues sporadically. Following termination of the inspection, George Patterson was met along the road to the site. He indicated that EFMC was starting seeding activities associated with NOV CV-2004-003 on this afternoon. Asper step 2 of the NOV, seeding must be completed by October 3/, 2004. As you can see from the official record of inspections conducted during the first growing season, considerable attention has been given to the early success of the reclamation. Please understand that it is not unusual, but in fact desirable, to have a portion of the live vegetative cover on reclaimed sites to be comprised of non-noxious, annual weeds. Weed species are opportunistic and invade reclaimed areas early, partly due to the dearth of competition from the long-term, perennial species. After two or three growing seasons, normally we see a marked decline in the number and voracity of annual weeds, mostly due to the increased competition and establishment of the desirable grasses and forbs that comprise the permanent seed mix. More importantly, a healthy crop of annual weeds provides hydrologic cover, protecting the soil from excessive erosion during the first few years after reclamation. The weeds also provide shade, protecting the soil from excessive drying, and result in a "greenhouse effect" during the hot summer months, further benefiting the underlying grasses and forbs. Following the end of the growing season, the dead weed matter adds to the hydrologic cover as litter and further protects the soli from wind and water erosion. As an added benefit, many weed seeds are attractive to wildlife, sunflowers in particular. Wild birds and turkey