2011-01-18_REPORT - C1981041 (2)

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5a). Woody plant density averaged 2,707 shrubs per acre that was primarily comprised of fourwing saltbush, shadscale (Atrip /ex confertifo/ia), and greasewood (Table 6a). There are a few rubber rabbitbushes (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) and big sagebrush (Seriphidium tridentatum) scattered throughout the unit. This unit passes all proposed revegetation success criteria excepting that only one warm - season grass was observed (proposed standard is two) during sampling within the unit (Table 1). Qualitative analysis indicates the revegetation in this unit is in average condition overall. Shrub density is excellent throughout the unit; however forbs and grass populations are patchy. 3.2 Cameo Borrow Area No. 2 Ground cover of the Cameo Borrow Area No. 2 consisted of 63.4% live vegetation, 4.3% rock, 18.5% litter, and bare ground exposure of 13.8% (Table 3a). Perennial cover across the unit averaged 33.9% (up from 25.8% in 2008) with annual and biennial cover averaging 29.5% (down from 30.7% in 2008). Dominant taxa were fourwing saltbush, cheatgrass, and forage kochia ( Kochia prostrata) with 26.7 %, 25.5 %, and 5.5% average cover, respectively. Current annual herbaceous production across the Cameo Borrow Area No. 2 totaled 414 pounds per acre with perennials contributing 32 pounds per acre (Table 5a). Woody plant density averaged 2,145 shrubs per acre and was dominated by fourwing saltbush, shadscale, and greasewood (Table 6a). This unit passes a majority of the proposed revegetation success criteria with three exceptions (Table 1): no warm - season grasses were intercepted or observed in the unit and the total herbaceous production was below 90% of the Greasewood Reference Area value of 477 pounds per acre. Qualitative analysis indicates that the Cameo Borrow Area No. 2 was in average overall condition. Cheatgrass was pervasive throughout the unit and surrounding area, contributing to minimal bare ground exposure, shrub dominance and a low herbaceous diversity. 3.3 Cameo Topsoil Piles Ground cover of the Cameo Topsoil Piles consisted of 60.2% live vegetation, 3.1% rock, 24.1% litter, and bare ground exposure of 12.6% (Table 3a). Perennial cover across the unit averaged 22.3% (down from 29.4% in 2008) with annual and biennial cover averaging 37.9% (up from 34.7% in 2008). Dominant taxa were cheatgrass, fourwing saltbush, little barley (Criterion pusi/ /um) and annual wheatgrass (Eremopyrum triticeum) with 25.7 %, 16.8 %, 6.0% and 4.6% average cover, respectively. Current annual herbaceous production in the Cameo Topsoil Piles totaled 483 pounds per acre with no contribution from herbaceous perennial vegetation (Table 5a). Woody plant density averaged 2,372 shrubs per acre and was dominated by fourwing saltbush, shadscale, and greasewood (Table 6a). CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 18 Snowcap - Revegetation Evaluation - 2010