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2.6.4 Fire Areas Three fire units (FA001, FA002, and FA003) were seeded in 2002 and sampled in 2003 after one growing seasons. The three fire areas were accidentally bumed in the summer of 2002 and seeded in the fall of 2002. Seedling emergence data revealed that there was a range from 1 to 1.53 perennial seedlings per square foot. An average density range of 0.60 to 1.25 was attributed to perennial grasses, while a 2nge of 0.10 to 0.27 seedlings per square foot were from perennial forts and 0.0 to 0.13 seedlings were attributed to shrubs. Annual brumes exhibited a range of 0.8 to 11.50 plants per square foot and annual forts, especially Russian thistle, ranged from 1 to 2.63 seedlings per square foot. Woody plant density was determined from these "emergent" quadrats. Density ranged from zero shrubs per acre in FA001 to over 5,660 shrub seedlings per acre in FA003. There is a reasonabh/ good take by the seeded grasses in the fire areas and the bumed Gambel oak and serviceberry are resprouting well. Dense patches of noxious weeds are oaasionally found where the fire areas meet the berms along the haul roads, and these areas should receive treatment with herbicide to prevent a problematic infestation. Annual brumes are dense in places within the fire areas (especially FA002). Widespread use of the herbidde Oust or Plateau for contro4 is recommended in FA002 and spot use is recommended for FA001 and FA003. • 2.7 Summary by Year 2.7.1 1996 Revegetation Charts 8 and 9 and Tables 10 and 11 exhibit the average cover and wmposition of vegetation found on the five units (EP028, EP029, WP004, S16009, and 516010) that were seven years of age when evaluated in 2003. All of these units have progressed well toward bond release criteria with the exception of the woody plant density criterion. Perennial cover (43.0% to 58.6%) and production (725 to 2,900 pounds per acre) should readily pass comparisons with the reference areas, while the diversity standard of 3 perennial grasses and 1 perennial fort with between 3% and SO% relative wver has been met by all but one unit (S16009 presently, has insufficient perennial fort cover to achieve at least 3% relative cover). Woody plant density in all of the 1996 revegetation units is low ranging from 20 to 265 woody plants per acre, which is far below the present standard of 90% of 1,000 woody stems per acre. See Appendix AA -Section 7.4 for a discussion on options and recommendations with regard to woody plant density. Elevated levels of annual bromes are present in only one unit, EP028. The patches of annual bromes in this unit should be monitored to gauge if they are expanding or shrinking. If monitoring reveals they are expanding, use of the herbidde Oust or Plateau is recommended. Dominant taxa found in 1996 revegetation are intermediate wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, smooth brome, xenrcecott Energy Co. ~ C°lowyo Anne Page 76 Revegetatlon Monitoring -2003