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Such sites provide a test area to determine what pathway;> the natural recovery process follows in repairing disturbances. Such information is extremely useful in fine tuning revegetation processes as they provide a baseline model of what the reclamation environment is like for natural processes. Considering the type of reclamation envisioned for the future mining, leaving a few small backfilled/graded but unseeded areas that can be monitored provides a window into what the natural conditions aze so it can be determined whether revegetation areas are following appropriate pathways in their development. If these small "test plots" do not fully recover naturally, then they can be treated and seeded once the monitoring is no longer needed. R If a previous seeding has started growth describe the condition of the growth at the time of inspection. REPORT: No land applies in this category at this time. Some seeding will likely occur later in 2005 and will be included in the 2006 status report. G. For previously planted reclaimed land, describe the condition of the planting, estimated growth rate, estimated cover, and any difficulties encountered with the planting. REPORT: The only land where reclamation (revegetation) is occurring and has not been released from bond is in south end of Section 25 adjacent to and within the stream channel. Vegetation development here is moderate to good with a few locations showing excellent wetland development. The road crosses the stream through this area and, due to local lowering of the stream channel, the road effectively blocks flow except in extreme situations. A new culvert is planned for the now established low spot so stream flow will not be blocked. Limitation of stream flow has limited expansion and development of wetlands downstream from the road crossing. Once a culvert is installed this problem will improve. An additional examination on July 12, 2005, showed the revegetation on the land downstream from the road crossing has advanced considerably since it was first inspected in early June (a photo is included in the photo section). Tree growth that was expected to be adversely affected by the creation of narrow peninsulas has not shown to be true at this point. In fact, these trees appeaz to be in very good condition (see photo section). Spurge invasion has occurred to a moderate extent, on disturbed land and control of this spurge will be done as part of the permit compliance requirements. Spurge on adjacent undisturbed land is often very dense and as cattle frequently aze in this azea it is expected that the spurge on the affected land will become worse with time. Vegetation development in the broad mined azea downstream from the road crossing varies from excellent where moisture is available to moderate where sand layers aze thicker or moisture is less available. However, the trend in the vegetation is toward continued expansion with only moderate weed invasion at this point. Weed invasion, however, may increase in the Annual Status Report - 2005 for State Land Board July 15, 2005 Page 4 of 10