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FORAGE I~OCHIA INTERSEEDING <br />The following sites were interseeded with forage kochia in March of 2007. The purpose of <br />the interseeding is to enhance the establishment of the forb component of our reclamation. <br />Other forbs species with readily available seed have not provided satisfactory long-term <br />success for this area. <br />The BLM has ask that we limit the use of forage kochia to specific sites until they are <br />comfortable that it will not become overly aggressive and spread to a significant degree onto <br />undisturbed areas. Other plantings throughout the West have not shown this tendency. <br />uof„~o n.+ ~ti <br />Reseeded in 1997, this site continues to struggle due the propensity for cheatgrass to this <br />site. A moderate density of perennial grasses persists but production is severely limited due <br />to competition from the cheatgrass for moisture and nutrients. <br />Forage kochia, interseeded in the spring of 2007, has shown an amazing ability to establish <br />even in the presence of cheatgrass. While seedling vigor and densities are not as great as at <br />other sites, it appears that the forage kochia seedlings are establishing well considering their <br />competition. <br />East Portal Area <br />Reseeded in 2001, this site has a generally good stand of perennial grasses and shrubs, <br />especially on the western portion of the site where the grade is less severe. Forage kochia <br />interseeded in the spring of 2007 has established well, especially on the more severe <br />portions of this site along the regraded access road. <br />Return Shafts RS-1 and RS-2 Pads and Roads <br />These sites were seeded in 2004 with the exception of RS-1 pad which was seeded in 2003. <br />Observations in 2007 showed a generally good establishment of perennial grasses and a <br />moderately good establishment of shrubs. Portions of this area are dominated by cheatgrass, <br />consistent with adjacent undisturbed lands. <br />