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RECLAMATION VISUAL INSPECTION FORM <br />Date: 9/29/2008 Site/Map #: RA-1 <br />Inspected By: Scott Wanstedt <br />Location: Refuse Area #1 <br />Year Reclaimed: 1997 Seed Mix: See permit, forage kochia added 2006 <br />Dominant Vegetation: (include grasses, forbs, shrubs, warm season grasses, etc. by spp.) <br />See Notes <br />Erosion/Site Stabilization: Stable <br />Notes: Grasses are dominated by western, desert and Siberian wheatgrasses. Other grass species <br />observed in lesser amounts included intermediate/pubescent and bluebunch wheatgrasses and <br />Russian wildrye. <br />Forbes/half shrubs were dominated by forage kochia. This species was broadcast seeded into the <br />existing vegetation/cheatgrass in spring 2007. It has done quite well and is providing a <br />substantial amount of perennial vegetative cover and production. Last year this species was fairly <br />small in stature as a result of the cheatgrass competition. It has now obtained it's more normal <br />mature stature. <br />Other forbes/half shrubs of note include scarlet globemallow and gooseberry-leaf globemallow. <br />Apparently the scarlet globemallow is a holdover from the topsoil or has successfully dispersed in <br />from adjacent native populations. It is low in stature, typical for this species. This is the first <br />year where gooseberry-leaf globemallow has shown a notable abundance. Based on this year's <br />observations, this species may be reconsidered for future plantings. <br />Shrub establishment is poor due to the competition from cheatgrass and volunteer barley from the <br />straw mulch in the 1997 reseeding. While quite limited, the most abundant shrubs include four- <br />wing saltbush and big sagebrush. Other shrub species observed included rabbitbrush and <br />shadscale. <br />Overall, perennial species are improving over prior years observations. This is not only attributed <br />to the forage kochia but an apparent increase in western wheatgrass. <br />Weed problems continue to be dominated by cheatgrass. This weedy species continues to <br />dominate the site but the dynamics are showing sign of a potential shift. This shift could be due <br />to incidental timing of this past year's precipitation, the addition of the forage kochia, and/or the <br />continued maturation of the plant community. <br />Recommendations: Continue to monitor and watch for dynamics to change with the addition of <br />the forage kochia.