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... ........ ... ...T...,,..:.... . <br />is 1000 stems/acre, averaged over the entire area. <br />6. In the concentrated shrub plots, shrub densities exceed or are near the 1,000 <br />s[em/acre standard as reported in the Bitterroot Report. Overall in the 1995 and <br />1947 reclamation areas shrub densities are considerably lower. The competition <br />from the herbaceous species is inhibiting greater shrub establishment in these <br />areas. <br />7. Smooth brome and intermediate wheatgrass were removed from the Seneca seed <br />mix because they aze aggressive, introduced cool season grasses. Despite the <br />removal of these [wo species from the mix, they continue to appeaz. On page 12 <br />of the report, the consultant suggests [hat, "the high frequency of these species in <br />the reclaimed areas suggests that these species are entering the area in the seed <br />mix. It is strongly recommended that seed lots be tested by an independent seed <br />testing ]ab prior to purchase, or that the purchase be contingent on testing results." <br />DMG encourages SCC to accept this recommendation and provide DMG with the <br />test results. <br />8. SCC continues to monitor the Wadge pasture and has been for the past ten years. <br />The continuous monitoring from one area is beneficial to see the development of <br />reclamation trends, the response of reclaimed lands to grazing and provides a <br />valuable historic database. <br />Seneca II-W <br />At Seneca II-W, SCC monitored reclamation aeeas that were seeded in 1995 and 1997 <br />and the aspen, mountain brush and sagebrush extended reference aeeas. <br />1. In the discussion of woody plant density it is stated that the woody plant density <br />standard is 2,000 stems/acre. This is incorrect. It was changed by TR-26. The <br />overall woody plant density standard is 450 stems/acre. In the concentrated shrub <br />planting aeeas, the standard is 2,000 stems/acre. <br />According to the results of shrub planting areas presented in the Bitterroot Report, <br />several of the shrub planting areas aze meeting this standazd. At Seneca R-W, all <br />stem densities are greater that ] 100 stems/acres which represents excellent shrub <br />establishment. It will be interesting to see how these densities change with time. <br />As with Seneca No. 2, the presence of Smooth Brome and Intermediate <br />wheatgrass in the reclaimed aeeas indicates there could be impurities with the seed <br />mix. These species were not planted and are rarely present in the undisturbed <br />areas and yet they are showing up on the reclamation. The conclusion from <br />ESCO is that the seed purchased as a native species includes some introduced <br />species. Please consider having a sample of the seed mix tested for species <br />content at a seed testing laboratory, as recommended in the report. DMG would <br />like to have a copy of the test results. <br />