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Forage kochia, interseeded in the spring of 2007, has established well on many portions of <br />this area. <br />Aaul Road -County Road Intersection Regrading <br />This site was newly reclaimed in 2004. Good establishment of perennial grasses was <br />observed. Few shrubs were seeded due to the need to maintain a line of site between haul <br />road and County Road traffic. It appears that the vegetative growth on the northeaster <br />corner of the site is nutrient limited. <br />Forage kochia, interseeded in the spring of 2007, has established well. It appears <br />particularly robust on the southwestern corner of the intersection. <br />Recommendations <br />The reclaimed areas appear hydrologically stable and generally in good condition. <br />Cheatgrass continues to be the primary problem impacting vegetation success. Further <br />investigation into means for long term control of cheatgrass is warranted not only for this <br />mine site but for many mines throughout the arid West. <br />Observations in 2007 have lead to modifications of the Interim/Drill Site seed mix to be <br />submitted with our response to the Midterm Review. These changes will include additional <br />use of certain native species for the smaller sites as a means to help evaluate and develop <br />better seed mixes for the mine site in general. <br />Anticipated Reclamation Activities for 2008 <br />Seeding of SC-SL3 and associated road will occur in the spring. This area was regraded but <br />heavy and persistent snows did not allow seeding in 2007. We anticipate being able to <br />reclaim the majority of the SC drill sites and associated roads in 2008. Several of these sites <br />may be left open to allow monitoring of the longwall panels. Degas boreholes associated <br />with LWB7 will be plugged and the remaining reclamation of roads completed. <br />