2008-12-15_REPORT - C1980007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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coordinates and the date. GPS coordinates were recorded in degrees, minutes and seconds of latitude and longitude utilizing the WGS 84 datum. A Garmin Etrex Vista GPS unit was used. Coordinates and other pertinent data were recorded in field notes. Photographs were taken with Kodak and Canon digital cameras. Each photo-point in the report is labeled as exemplified below. Photo-points which were included in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 reports are referenced for ease of comparison to the previous years report. In addition, general conditions such as vegetative ground-cover, height of plants, encroachment by native shrubs and forbs and site fencing are shown below the label of each picture. For example: the following site shows: Site name, , - W reference to 2007 report, and general vegetative conditions at the site. SOM-3E. , ?,(Pg 10, 2007) Ground- cover 75-90%, grass 18-24", 3' curly dock (Rumex cripus), some chokecherry- snowberry encroachment. A vast majority of the roads and drill sites under reclamation, or being considered for reclamation in this report are in the Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) vegetation community with predominant understory species being chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus or rotundifolius), and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). • A lesser number of the disturbed areas are in the aspen (Populus tremuloides) vegetative type, with aspen as the dominant overstory tree species, and an understory comprised primarily of chokecherry, snowberry and serviceberry. A few of the sites and roads lie in, or traverse Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzesii), narrow-leaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), or box-elder (Acer negundo). The most common noxious weeds noted on the project were Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L) Scop.), which was widespread throughout the area, and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L), which was found on the Lone Pine Site. Stinging nettle (Urtica gracilis), although not listed as noxious, was found along the Deep Creek Mesa Road. A measure of successful reclamation over time is the extent to which native vegetation invades openings caused by construction. For this reason, Gambel oak, snowberry, chokecherry and serviceberry encroachment is frequently mentioned in statements under most photographs. A subjective reclamation rating system was utilized which considers % groundcover, height of vegetation and encroachment of native shrubs. (See Table 2: Vegetative Rating Parameters) Ground cover was afforded more weight than either vegetative height or encroachment since vegetative height can be so directly affected by seasonal cattle and wildlife use, and encroachment occurs in such a dispersed fashion over time. Ratings used are: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair and P = Poor. Color codes are shown in the table to better delineate sites and ratings. The color code is: E = Blue, G = Yellow, F = . White, P =Light Green (See: Table]: RATINGS FOR EACH PHOTO-POINT RECLAIMED BEFORE 2008.)