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quarry, high on the benched walls. It appears to be small at this time, but the full extent of the population could <br />not be determined due to snow cover. Also, due to snow cover, no assessment could be made as to the density <br />of the plants ox how many seedlings (rosette stage) are present. <br />In April of 2006, a full examination of the entire quarry will be made to identify any noxious weeds and <br />in particular knapweed. That examination will map the locations of any noxious weeds, describe the nature of <br />any infestations found, and provide the basis fox a full control program to be implemented. At this point in time <br />it appears that the knapweed infestation has been caught early enough to contain its spread. But full assessment <br />cannot be made until after the snow melts It is possible the infestation is larger than it appears at this time. <br />Furthermore, because this infestation is not far from the undisturbed lands beyond the permit, examination of <br />the adjacent forests will also be needed to be sure that the knapweed has not invaded the forest. Being on a <br />north facing slope where the forest canopy is quite dense, it is unlikely the knapweed would be capable of <br />surviving the in the forest, but small openings in the canopy could potentially provide a location where the <br />knapweed could spread beyond the site. <br />Expected Activity (2006): Mining will continue mostly in areas that have akeady been mined. As the land in <br />the southwest corner of the site has been fully cleared of trees, mining is expected to be initiated in the <br />southwest convex. As shown on the annual report map, this initial mining will be along and on the sides of a <br />valley that extends to and beyond the southwest corner. The primary purpose of this initial mining in this area <br />will be to open the valley, which is quite narrow, to a greater width. Once this wider access comdor is <br />established, mining of the southwestern corner will expand to the southeast and to the north of this valley as <br />well as declining in elevation at the western boundary of the operation. Due to an MSHA requirement, wall <br />heights have been reduced to about half of what they have been in the past. Thus, the individual benches at the <br />back of the quarry will be lower than originally anticipated. This, of course, means there will be more of them, <br />but as they will have lower bench backwalls obscuring visible benches in the reclamation will be easier to <br />accomplish. This change has no effect on the reclamation plan and only minor effects on the final proposed <br />topography. <br />Bonding: This operation is covered by a self bond. <br />Schmidt Construction Company 2005 Annual Report M-76-009-HR Menzer Quarry Page 2 of 2 <br />