Laserfiche WebLink
633 Precipitation <br />Precipitation gauges aze located neaz the P/A injection well 90-5 (tipping gauge) and neaz <br />monitoring well EX-2 (V-gauge). Based on perennial vegetation, which is an indicator of long-term <br />precipitation, the "normal" precipitation for the NSI site is 12-14 inches for the calendar yeaz. The <br />distribution of precipitation is important for reclamation. <br />The following table provides a composite of precipitation from the two gauges at NSI mine site: <br />Precipitation Record (incbesl <br />1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 <br />Jan 0.10 0.94 0.12 0.48 1.68 1.02 0.69 0.58 0.51 0.61 0.67 0.49 0.40 1.30 0.82 <br />Feb 0.51 0.90 0.87 0.68 1.16 0.86 0.99 0.49 0.88 0.85 0.65 0.74 0.58 0.89 0.44 <br />Mar 1.47 2.32 0.65 0.81 0.73 0.45 1.46 0.57 1.49 0.65 1.05 1.22 0.17 1.21 1.06 <br />Apr 1.06 2.29 1.01 2.81 1.85 2.44 1.44 2.78 0.82 0.83 0.47 1.42 1.07 1.24 0.25 <br />May 1.50 1.53 0.24 4.19 1.34 I.O1 0.83 1.20 1.18 1.15 0.02 0.60 0.39 0.82 0.20 <br />Jua 1.62 0.13 0.24 2.06 1.14 1.91 3.28 0.39 0.76 0.04 0.67 0.50 0.81 3.15 0.27 <br />Jul 2.04 0.17 0.80 0.39 0.85 1.04 1.98 1.99 1.35 0.40 I.06 0.40 0.80 0.47 1.13 <br />Aug 1.04 0.57 0.58 1.34 0.18 2.74 1.42 1.53 1.93 1.92 0.62 0.64 0.85 1.48 1.45 <br />Sep 0.92 0.12 1.76 1.51 1.35 4.83 0.60 0.52 1.47 0.46 1.91 0.91 1.39 1.40 2.25 <br />Oct 1.25 2.21 0.78 1.50 1.71 1.27 1.65 0.43 0.97 1.14 1.25 0.60 1.15 1.00 2.5 <br />Nov 1.07 0.94 1.09 0.80 1.65 1.09 0.81 0.34 0.75 0.72 0.62 0.91 0.95 0.78 0.85 <br />Dec 0.87 0.52 0.56 0.24 0.55 0.30 0.90 0.33 0.39 0.60 0.20 1.10 0.31 0.37 0.90 <br />Total 13.45 12.64 8.7 16.81 14.19 18.96 16.05 11.15 12.55 9.37 9.19 9.53 8.87 14.11 12.12 <br />6.3.4 Evaluation Report <br />Per NSI's monitoring plan, reclaimed azeas were monitored and evaluated by a qualified <br />specialist. The following summarizes the fmdings of Mr. Rusty Roberts. Mr. Roberts reviewed <br />existing reclamation and has made recommendation, which will be implemented in 2007. <br />Well 93-3V: This location was reclaimed in 2005 and has a heavy infestation of cheatgrass and <br />Russian thistle. A significant amount of cheatgrass has gemunated as a result of the all the fall <br />moisture. <br />From the plant species used in the reclaim seed mix, there was a fair establishment of some of <br />the shrubs and forbs. There is a good survival of four-wing saltbush across most of the reclaimed <br />area. Palmer's Penstemon and Lewis Flax has a fair survival in some azeas. There was a small <br />amount of alfalfa survival in places. Probably the biggest failure of the seeding was survival of <br />perennial grasses, only a few surviving grasses were noted. Most of the surviving forbs and <br />perennial grasses were along the edges of the reclaimed azea where the topsoil was not spread in <br />windrows. <br />The biggest problem with the reclamation of 93-3V was the method used to spread the topsoil. <br />The topsoil was spread in windrows on the contour, possibly to retain stormwater runoff. The <br />windrows were about 3 to 4 feet apart and 6 to 10 inches high and loosely spread, which did not <br />create a firm seedbed. The windrows aze still loose and unstable. <br />It is likely that a tremendous seed bank of cheatgrass and Russian thistle had accumulated in the <br />topsoil pile, prior to distribution. The loosely piled, or spread, topsoil is unstable and favors <br />2007 Annual Report ] 5 of 18 <br />