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<br />Revegetation: The revegetation program on the large area on Map 2 was examined and found to be <br />exhibiting problems with establishment. Pan of the problem is the abundance of weeds (Kochia and <br />Salsola) that have grown throughout the area. This was expected as disturbed bottomland along this <br />part of the Arkansas River generally exhibits high quantities of weed growth, particularly of these <br />two species of tumbleweed. <br />However, the apparent weakness of some areas of grass growth cannot be totally attributed to <br />weed competition. Some locations could be found with strong weed growth and strong grass growth. <br />Other locations with little weed growth also show little grass growth. Whether this is a problem <br />associated with soil chemistry, defective seed, improper seeding depth, or just the microenvironment <br />of the site cannot be determined at this time of the year. <br />The problem of poor seeding success is most apparent on the smaller area (Litvak on Map 2). <br />There little grass could be found. On the larger area (Divelbliss on Map 2) there is much greater <br />success, but the area does exhibit local deficiencies in grass abundance. <br />Each of these areas will be carefully and critically examined during the height of the 1998 <br />growing season to determine whether reseeding will be needed, in general or in spots. Because the <br />grasses planted generally do not show much top growth during the first year, the impression of poor <br />success may be an artifaa of growth patterns in young grasses. Second year growths are more <br />definitive when making assessments of success. <br />Invasion rates of native species primarily involve two species. First is cattail that, as expected, <br />has invaded the shoreline areas of the lakes. Expansion of these growths will undoubtedly be rapid in <br />the next two years. Inland Saltgrass (Disrichlis spicata) shows strong invasion and expansion on the <br />west end of the Divelbliss area and local growths elsewhere. This strong growth may suggest a <br />saltiness to the soil that is limiting other grass growth, but the absence of salt crusts (common and <br />best seen in the winter) does not suggest an unusually high salt content. <br />Revegetation elsewhere, particularly on the west end of the operation (Map 1) continues to <br />show excellent development. This contrast in success between the west and east ends of the operation <br />will be examined to determine what, if any, differences exist that might provide an explanation for <br />the apparent lower success rate of revegetation on the east end of the operation. <br />Annual Report Maps: Four maps are included in this report. One set is in color and the other set in <br />shaded black and white. The first map is an overview of the entire operation and shows the general <br />boundaries of the other three maps. Maps 1 through 3 show the details of each of the three portions <br />of the site. This approach is used to eliminate the need to submit large maps. <br />Please note that these maps reflect the condition as of February 27, 1998. Because this <br />operation, particularly on Map 3, is constantly changing, the areas defined on the maps may change. <br />Map 3 shows two particular aspects of note. Because all excraaive operations are being <br />conducted in this area, this map shows the location of expected operations for the next year. The <br />relatively large area shown to be affected in the next year and also the comparatively large area <br />affected in the last year is a consequence of the deposit characteristics. The north end of the <br />amendment area contains comparatively thick overburden and thin gravel deposits. Therefore, the area <br />disturbed is rather large. Operations in the northern part of the amendment progress rather rapidly so <br />sufficient aggregate can be obtained to meet the demand. Furthermore, because demand for aggregate <br />is currently high, on a historical basis, that adds even more to the consumption of land in the <br />amendment. As the operation moves back into the southern portions of the amendment area, and also <br />the eastern portions, the gravel becomes markedly thicker and therefore the land needed to produce a <br />given volume of product will become less. In 1999 and subsequent years the rate of expansion of this <br />operation in the amendment area should slow considerably, depending on the market. <br />Transit Mix of Pueblo 1998 Annual Report M-77-573 Pueblo West Pit Page 2 of 3 <br />