2011-01-18_REPORT - C1981041 (2)

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winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), and Gardner saltbush (Atriplex gardnerl) scattered throughout the unit (Table 6b). This unit passes all of the proposed revegetation success criteria except total herbaceous production fell well below the standard of 558 pounds per acre (Table 1). Qualitative analysis indicates that revegetation in this area is in average to good condition overall. The growth medium in this unit consists primarily of rocky material with some topsoil. Consequently, the cheatgrass population is lower in this unit than in the other reclaimed areas of the mine where the growth medium is predominately composed of topsoil material. Additionally, this unit displays good shrub diversity and vigor of individual plants. 3.8 2 West Portal - West Ground cover of 2 West Portal - West area consisted of 32.8% live vegetation, 17.8% rock, 9.8% litter, and bare ground exposure of 39.6% (Table 3b). Perennial cover across the unit averaged 25.7% (up from 17.6% in 2008) with annual and biennial cover averaging 7.1% (down from 12.0% in 2008). Dominant taxa were Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys junceus), cheatgrass, western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and galleta with 13.3 %, 5.8 %, 4.5 %, and 2.7% average cover, respectively. Current annual herbaceous production in the 2 West Portal - West totaled 573 pounds per acre, with the perennials contributing 519 pounds to forage production (Table 5b). Woody plant density averaged 1,707 shrubs per acre and was comprised of a diverse mixture of fourwing saltbush, shadscale, greasewood, Gardner saltbush, winterfat, big sagebrush, rubber rabbitbrush, and a few prickly pear (Opuntia polyacantha) cacti scattered throughout the unit (Table 6b). This unit passes all of the proposed revegetation success criteria except only one warm- season grass was observed (proposed standard is two) during sampling within the unit (Table 1). Qualitative analysis indicates that the revegetation in 2 West Portal - West area is in excellent condition overall. This unit exhibits good diversity of grasses and shrubs and good quality growth media. 3.9 Cameo RDA No. 1 Ground cover of the Cameo RDA No. 1 (all seedings combined) consisted of 35.3% live vegetation, 19.9% rock, 19.6% litter, and bare ground exposure of 25.3% (Table 3b). Perennial cover across the unit averaged 21.0% with annual and biennial cover averaging 14.3 %. Dominant taxa were cheatgrass, fourwing saltbush, galleta, and Russian wildrye with 12.9 %, 6.3 %, 4.1 %, and 2.8% average cover, respectively. Current annual herbaceous production in the Cameo RDA No. 1 totaled 780 pounds per acre, with the perennials contributing 692 pounds to forage production (Table 5b). Woody plant density averaged 1,708 shrubs per acre comprised mostly of fourwing saltbush and shadscale, with lesser amounts of rubber rabbitbrush, greasewood, and big sagebrush scattered throughout the unit (Table 6b). CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. Page 21 Snowcap - Revegetation Evaluation - 2010