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The percent cover changes were similar to results for production. Weeds remained consistent <br />at 0°/u change. The dominant perennial species based on percent cover were Russian <br />wildrye, wheatgrasses (riparian, slender, western, and thickspike), alfalfa, Sandberg <br /> <br />I~ <br />bluegrass, Indian rice grass and Basin wildrye. It will be interesting to observe production <br />and the cover in future years and to note the long-term effects on all vegetation after three <br />years of critical drought. <br />In conclusion, twelve years of reclamation data indicate successful germination and <br />establishment of seeded species. The wheatgrass species, wildrye species, green needle <br />grass, and dry land alfalfa appear well adapted to this site. Lewis flax was noted during the <br />2003 growing season. As noted in previous reports, results of reclamation evaluations <br />indicate a need to increase quantities of shrubs to meet final reclamation and species <br />diversity goals. Shrub and tree species may need to be transplanted in order to compete <br />f <br />with vigorous grass and forb species. Twenty pinyon pine seedlings were planted in the <br />spring of 1997, with 8 of 20 surviving in 2003. The growth of the seedlings is slow due to <br />dry conditions. Please note the only topsoil embankments, which required sampling per <br />project Monitoring Plan were seeded in 1990-1998. Recent topsoil areas with three to four <br />years of growth have two new species, globe mallow and penstemon. Sandberg blue <br />grass, a native variety of grass, which was not seeded was also noted in 2003. The globe <br />mallow is producing less than expected, but Palmer's penstemon is performing very well. <br />27 <br />