2008-05-15_REPORT - C1981014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2007 Rec1 ama tl on Repor t Southfield Mine Refuse Area Shrub Clumps small) 12 Rocky Mountain junipers 4 Ponderosa pine 48 Skunkbrush sumac Refuse Area Shrub Clumps (lar~e~ (2 times the above seedling numbers) Facilities Area Shrub Clumps 60 Rocky Mountain junipers 20 Ponderosa pine 16 Pinon pine 4 Red cedars 52 Mountain mahogany 48 Skunkbrush sumac Shrub clump planting involved specific methods intended to improve plant survival rates. All seedlings were placed in holes along with a moisture retaining gel to keep the roots moist. On the ground surface, various methods of mulching were installed which incorporated approximately sixty percent of the planted seedlings. In addition, nearly half the plants were wrapped with plastic shrub guards to reduce wildlife browsing damage. During the summer season of 2006, Mr. Kent Crofts of I.M.E., Inc. did the interim revegetation sampling and reporting at the mine site, the refuse pile area and at the Loadout site. Energy Fuels was committed to monitor vegetation during Year 3 (2006) in the permit document. The report, "Revegetation Monitoring Report for Reclaimed Areas 2006 On The Southfield Mine" is on file with the DRMS. Four (which is 33%) of the twelve shrub and tree seedling plots were also sampled during 2006. Plots sampled were: 1B; 2B; 2E; & 3C. The plots are labeled and can be seen on Map 1, Mine Site Reclamation Map. Averages of overall survival of species are as follows: Ponderosa Pine, 87.5%; Rocky Mtn Juniper, 74.2%; Skunkbush Sumac, 51.3%; Mountain Mahogany, 44%; Pinion Pine, 62.5%. The Rocky Mtn Juniper fared best of the plots sampled ranging from 66.7% to 100%. Mountain Mahogany had the higher mortality rate of the sites sampled. Previously Revegetated Areas Previously revegetated areas at the Mine Site include the main facilities area, small ancillary facility areas, and the west portion of the refuse disposal area that were revegetated in 2003. The remaining previously revegetated areas (pre 2003) lie primarily on the east and mid portion of the refuse disposal area. The more recent areas seeded and mulched in 2003 exhibited good vegetative response due to generous moisture received during the previous winter and spring seasons. Revegetated areas done in earlier years on the refuse pile and in the Loadout Area show effective establishment and erosion control. The Loadout Area was seeded to the permanent revegetation seed mixture in 1997. Poor initial vegetative establishment resulted in the decision to reseed the entire Loadout Area in 1999. Limited topsoil availability and extended drought conditions had hindered effective vegetative reestablishment in the Loadout Area. Through ongoing discussions with the DRMS, limited 4