REP16732

• Permit No: C1981019
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 3/28/2006
• Doc Name: 2005 ARR Section 9 Thru Section 11
• From: Colowyo Coal Company L.P.
• To: DMG
• Permit Index Doc Type: Annual Reclamation Report
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

•

2.2.4 EPO39
EP039 is comprised of 4.1 acres of
moderately sloping revegetation that has a
predominately northerly aspect. This unit was
seeded in 2003 and therefore, has undergone
two growing seasons prior to sampling in
2005. A total of 37 plant taxa were observed
in the unit (see Table AB-1). Ground cover in
EP039 consisted of 48.9% live vegetation,
0.3% rock, 32.1% litter, and bare soil
exposure of 18.7%. Perennial cover across
the unit averaged 12.1% with annual and
biennial cover averaging 3Z.9%. The
dominant taxa were field pennycress (Th/aspi
arvense), pinnate tansymustard (Descau~ania
pinnata}, Russian thistle (Sa/so/a austra/is),
and streambank wheatgrass with 16.2%,
8.3%, 7.7%, and 3.3% average cover,
respectively. Woody plant density was
determined from 15 belt transects. Density
(Table 2) totaled 0 young and mature stems
per acre. With regard to diversity, EP039
exhibited 2 perennial grasses and 0 perennial
fortis with between 3% and 50% relative
cover.
Mao 5 - EP039 ®,m
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Noxious weeds appear to be controlled in
this unit, however several population of
Canada thistle, bull thistle (Cirsium vu/gage), horehound (Lynog/ossum oTficina/e), and musk thistle were
observed. Annual bromes are presently at very low levels but should be monitored in the coming years.
Although cover by the early-sera) species, such as field pennycress, is elevated, ground cover by
perennials appears sufficient to progress to dominance over the next few years. Overall, Unit EP039
exhibits good diversity and perennial cover levels for two-year old revegetation and should be monitored
again in 2007 (Fourth growing season).
Kennecolt Energy Co. / Colowyo Mine
Page 15
Reve9etation Monitoring - 2005