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wetlands or in very dry sites, and occurs only sparingly in somewhat more moist dry, upland habitats. On July 12, a new weed species was found in a single, small population. This species is Chickory (Cichorium intybus L.). The population was found in the drainage course adjacent to the road on the western end of the large valley that flows in from the east about halfway between Quincy and the county line. It probably occurs elsewhere in this valley, but was not seen anywhere else along the local portion of that drainage course. This species occurs in a similar habitat that spurge occupies. It is recommend that a wider search for this species be done as it can become quite a troublesome weed. Control of this species is advisable. Previous reclamation sites have shown a major increase in cover and density of the vegetation in 2005, probably as a result of the return of more favorable growing conditions. Even reclaimed areas that were marginal in 2004 are now looking much better. Wetlands along the streams are in excellent condition with very robust growth, in spite of the dry mid-growing season conditions in 2005. Even some of the trees along Coal Creek that were showing significant weakness last year have much increased leaf tissue and only show slight yellowing of the very weakest branches. But even these branches appear to have more leaf tissue than was recalled from last year. No assessment of the tree seedling production and success has been made at this time, but that will be done later in the season when an assessment is more; indicative of the real status of new tree establishment. A. Describe the geologic and hydrologic conditions encountered in each mining pit azea. REPORT: The various pits currently open all show similar conditions. Sand deposits encountered appeaz to be primarily alluvial deposits with zones of aeolian sand. The sand layers exhibit distinct parallel layering. Overburden and soil combined varies considerably from location to location, but generally exhibits a soil layer of about 8" to about 18" that is often much dazker than the underlying overburden. The overburden tends to be a light buff color and varies from a couple of feet to as much as five feet. This overburden is a sandy material, but is usually very fine and contains excessive clays. The excessively fine texture and significant clay content renders it unusable except as backfill. The individual deposits continue to show patchy distributions, often with distinct edges where the usable sand abruptly ends or changes direction. No water has been encountered in any pits other than that which briefly accumulates in small basins after thunderstorms. B. Indicate the depth to which mining occurred within current mining pits.:[f documentation of measurements is available, include copies of that documentation. REPORT: The most recent primary mining azeas, which are located just west of the main road on the slopes leading down to the current floodplain have, in some places, reached depths in excess of 25 feet, but is generally in the 15 to 20 foot range. Backfill with overburden, in the places where this has been completed, has returned the slope to a grade that differs little from the original. No measurements of existing pits have occurred. The result of the backfilling pulls the more level land at the base of the slopes back a short distance from where its toe originally was located. This backfilling and grading results in a small expansion of the floodplain, but maintains the floodplain at the base of the slopes at its original elev,ition. No Annual Status Report - 2005 for State Land Board July 15, 2005 Page 2 of 10