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A vast majority of the roads and drill sites under reclamation, or being considered for <br />. reclamation in this report are in the Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) vegetation <br />community with predominant understory species being chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), <br />snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus or rotundifolius), and serviceberry (Amelanchier <br />alnifolia). <br />A lesser number of the disturbed areas are in the aspen (Populus tremuloides) vegetative <br />type, with aspen as the dominant overstory tree species, and an understory comprised <br />primarily of chokecherry, snowberry and serviceberry. <br />A very few of the sites and roads lie in, or traverse Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii), <br />narrow-leaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), or box-elder (Acer negundo). <br />The most common noxious weeds noted on the project were Canada thistle (Cirsium <br />arvense (L.) Scop.) and musk thistle (Carduus nutans L) which are widespread <br />throughout the area. <br />A measure of successful reclamation, over time is the extent to which native vegetation <br />invades openings caused by construction. For this reason, Gambel oak, snowberry, <br />chokecherry and serviceberry encroachment is frequently mentioned in statements under <br />most photographs. <br />A subjective reclamation rating system was utilized which considers % groundcover, <br />height of vegetation and encroachment of native shrubs. (See Table 2: Vegetative Rating <br />Parameters) Ground cover was afforded more weight than either vegetative height or <br />encroachment since vegetative height can be so directly affected by seasonal cattle and <br />wildlife use, and encroachment occurs in such a dispersed fashion over time. Ratings <br />used are: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair and P = Poor. Color codes are shown in the <br />table to better delineate sites and ratings. The color code is: E = Pale Blue, G = Yellow, F <br />= Gray, P = Light Green (See: Table 1: RATINGS FOR EACH PHOTO-POINT BY <br />YEARS 2000 AND 2008.) <br />Table 2: Vegetative Rating Parameters <br />Rating Groundcover Vegetation height Encroachment <br /> % Inches Feet <br />E 81-100 30+ 20+ <br />G 61-80 16-29 10-19 <br />F 31-60 6-15 3-9 <br />P 0-30 <6 <3 <br />0 <br />2