_INSPECTION - C1982057 (73) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ik k July 28, 2010 C-1982-057/Seneca 11-W Mine DTM evident in significant densities in numerous locations in the South Extension area,where mountain big sagebrush has been included in the standard rangeland seedmix. Perennial vegetation cover on steep slopes in 016 watersheds and other areas of the South Extension where vegetation has been somewhat slow to take hold,appears to be significantly better than at this point in the 2009 growing season. Across much of the South Extension area, the seeded stands are developing into promising sagebrush grassland type communities. Noxious and undesirable weedy species are a continuing management concern. Canada thistle and houndstongue are widespread, with other noxious or undesirable weedy species, including whitetop,bull thistle, and others,more localized. Canada thistle infestations in numerous locations in the original permit area and some locations of the South Extension had been previously sprayed this year. Numerous infestation areas in the South Extension had not been sprayed, and will need to be sprayed this fall. Patches are present in many locations across the site,with highest concentrations associated with areas of previous erosion or slide repair,roadsides,permanent channels, south facing slopes, stock pond and sediment pond areas, etc. South facing slopes in the lower 017 watershed are particularly bad, with high densities of thistle species and houndstongue,along with annual brome and tansy mustard. A couple patches of thistle on this slope appear to have been sprayed earlier in the year,but other patches apparently were not sprayed. There is a steep swath along the crest of the reclaimed highwall that appears not to have been seeded,as it is bare except for Canada thistle,bull thistle,and houndstongue; weed spray and seeding is warranted. A patch of high density Japanese brome was observed on the south facing slope to the north of the lower end of Channel PM-3,that would appear to benefit from spraying. Also, a small patch of yellow toadflax was observed near the southwest end of the fenced shrub plot area in the PM-3 watershed(mixed in with a small patch of musk thistle). Yellow toadflax is presently rare within the permit area, and it is very important that the small patch be eradicated to prevent further spread. SCC has installed a number of fenced planting sites across the reclaimed area,to protect concentrated woody planting sites from browsing by deer, elk, and cattle. While certain species have established successfully from seed across large areas of the reclamation(notably big sagebrush, and to a lesser extent snowberry), most other species have exhibited poor establishment and survival unless protected from browsing. Aspen in particular has proven to be difficult to establish on reclaimed areas, as well as tall shrub species such as oakbrush, chokecherry, and serviceberry. Studies conducted by the USFS in cooperation with SCC on the 11-W and Yoast mine sites have documented the criticality of controlling herbaceous completion for aspen establishment, and herbaceous competition appears to be a major factor limiting the establishment of tall shrub species as well. A number of the fenced concentrated planting sites were closely inspected during the inspection on 7/29 and 7/30, and the following observations were made: Fenced Planting Upper PM-3 Watershed Relatively poor initial shrub establishment in this area. Follow-up plantings of serviceberry using small squares of weed control fabric appear to be doing well. Widely scattered serviceberry,chokecherry, and oak are present that were not planted with weed guard fabric; these plants are mostly 12"to 15"tall(compared to 2'-4' for the shrubs with weedguard). Scattered bitterbrush plants established from seed were observed,but overall density of seeded shrubs appears to be fairly low. Big sagebrush is present but densities are no higher inside the fenced area than Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 0 Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 1 Page 10 of 19