2009-02-26_REPORT - C1982057 (14)

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• Monitoring ESCO Associates, Inc conducted revegetation monitoring of permanently revegetated areas and shrub establishment monitoring in the shrub plot areas during the summer and fall of 2008. The 2008 Annual Revegetation Monitoring Report will be submitted as a separate document. • Weed Control A survey for noxious weeds was carried out on the II-W mine area in the spring of 2008. Monitoring was conducted to determine the need or level of re-treatment necessary for the areas sprayed in 2007. Canada thistle was the primary target species in all control areas, with lesser activity directed toward areas of hounds tongue and whitetop. The applied herbicide consisted of a tank mix of 2.5 gallons of 22K Tordon and 2.5 gallons of 2,4,D and 250 gallons of water. Escort, at the rate of one (1) ounce per acre was spot sprayed on whitetop. Control areas were sprayed in May, June, and July. See the attached 2008 Weed Spray Location map for the extent of weed control spraying. A spot spray gun was used to concentrate spraying activities on target areas, reducing potential impacts to adjacent desirable vegetation. The herbicide mix, based on recommendations from the Colorado State Extension Service, was muted and applied by an outside contractor who is a certified applicator. The weed control areas will continue to be monitored in 2009 for effectiveness and necessary retreatment. See the attached weed control daily log spreadsheet for more detailed information of the 2008 herbicide application. Actual field logs are on file at the mine site. 0 Grazing • Cattle (170 cow/calf pairs) were moved on to the Seneca II-W Salt River Reclaim Pasture for 14 days between September 9th and September 23,d. Then the cattle (200 cow/calf pairs) were moved to the Seneca Reclaim Top Pasture for 15 days between September 23rd and October 9th. This grazing scheme resulted in a total of 179 AVMs for 2008. See attached 2008 Grazing Plan Map for pasture locations. Assumptions: One (1) cow/calf pair = 1.0 AUM One (1) AUM requires 810 lbs. of forage Salt River Reclaim Pasture: Total pasture acreage = 235.1 acres Reclaim area = 149.0 acres = 63% of total pasture Undisturbed area = 83.6 acres = 36% of total pasture Fenced Shrub Plot acres = 2.5 acres = 1% of total pasture Reclaim area -average production = 2,645 lbs/acre (see 2003 and 2005 Revegetation Monitoring Reports) Undisturbed area -average production = 557 lbs/acre (see 2006 Revegetation Monitoring Report) Pasture (weighted average) Production = 1,874 lbs/acre 21 days (x) 120 cow/calf pairs = 2,520 animal days (/) 30 days = 84 animal months (x) 1.0 AUM/pair = 84 AUMs 1,874 lbs/acre (x) 232.6 acres = 435,892 lbs of forage available 810 lbs (x) 84 AUMs = 68,040 lbs of forage required • Therefore; 68,040 (/) 435,892 (x) 100 = 15.6 % utilization of the entire Salt River Reclaim Pasture