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Salty Soil Remedial Program: Continued monitoring of the lands on the east end of the operation has shown interesting patterns of invasion of native species. It appears that switchgxass (Panicum vitgatum) is a very significant invader and is continuing to expand, even onto dry south facing slopes. Of course, this species, which prefers somewhat more moist ground, seems to have a different character on drier sites, but it grows well enough to flower and set seed even in those habitats. Also, alkali sacaton has shown expansion and some of the wheatgxasses, particularly tall wheatgxass, have expanded somewhat. Unfortunately, large areas axe still essentially devoid of grass and continue to be dominated by sparse growths of annual weeds. The intense drought of 2002 did not allow much expansion of existing vegetation, but it also kept the weeds from producing much growth. Unfortunately, the seed bank probably contains a high quantity of annual weed seeds. lS Bacldlling: Backfilling actions have continued in the last year. Nearly all of the backfilling concentrated on slope reconstruction around the north pit (see Map 3) in anticipation of changing the sealing structure from a compacted berm to a slurry wall. No action will be taken to install a slurry wall until a purchaser for the reservoir has been found. In the meantune, dewatexing of this area will continue. A permit revision will be submitted to make that change prior to the slurry wall being installed. The slurry wall structure has been designed; all that is needed now is a purchaser. Weed Control: Continued monitoring and control efforts as needed. Annual Report Maps: The annual report maps include four maps this year. The format of the maps is the same as it was last year. Year 2003/2004 Anticipated Activity: All future activity at this site will be directed toward reclamation. A considerable amount of slope reconstruction is still needed on the south side of the land north of the river. The bottom of the pit also needs to be cleaned of piles to make room fox maximum water storage. South of the river, the plant has akeady been removed and this area is being tidied up. Several other structures also need to be removed. The Goodnight Baxn (on the National Register of Historic Sites) is continuing to be protected. Money may be available from GOCO to refurbish this stmcmre as it is on the prune list of Colorado sites to be preserved. It is likely that all remaining reclamation will be completed in the next year ox possibly it will lapse into 2005. It largely depends on what happens to the site with regard to community park development and the availability of funds fox that park creation. Photographs: On the CD included with this report are a number of photographs taken of the site. These show the condition of the site as of March 6, 2003. Included in those photographs are some pictures of the outside and the inside of the Goodnight Baxn. These photographs axe in uncompressed TIF format. Other Computer Files: Also included on the CD axe PDF versions of the entire annual report. Those axe in a separate directory. Included in another directory axe graphic (uncompressed TIF format) versions of the complete annual report. These files may be useful to the Division for direct inclusion into the digital filing system now in operation. This would avoid the need fox the Division to scan the report documents. Transit Mix of Pueblo 2003 Annual Report M-1977-573 Pueblo West Pit Page 2 of 2