2011-02-23_REPORT - M1977493 (4)

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to the West Interceptor Road and areas north from the Mayflower treatment plant to the mine gate were sprayed for moderate to heavy populations of several noxious weeds. Mayweed chamomile was found and treated in small to moderate infestations along the northern length of the West Interceptor road. Moderate to heavy infestations of yellow toadflax were sprayed along the edges of the road and on several steep cut slopes. Fill slopes were generally well vegetated and free of weeds. Additional moderate toadflax infestations were treated along the road leading to the North Mine gate and a very large infestation was located in a wooded area under the power lines running between the Mayflower treatment plant and the large substation. Moderate infestations of Canada thistle were treated throughout slopes and what appear to be old reclamation benches near the southwest side of Mayflower Tailings Pond. Substation spraying concluded on this visit with the treatment of all north mine substations. The final 2010 treatment visit to Climax occurred from August 17 to August 19. In early August, on-site Habitat Management staff identified several new weed infestations throughout the mine property, as well as several late-blooming oxeye daisy infestations in need of treatment. Three large infestations of yellow toadflax were sprayed along fill slopes and natural slopes below the road on the northern side of the Arkansas gravel pit. Despite having been treated in 2009, these infestations appear to have grown larger in 2010. Small to moderate patches of yellow toadflax were treated along the eastern road between 3 Dam and 5 Dam and along the length of the road traversing the bottom of 1 Dam. Several moderate to large infestations of yellow toadflax were treated along the road leading west from 4 Dam. Two large infestations of Canada thistle were sprayed in this area as well. Heavy infestations of Canada thistle were treated throughout upper McNulty Gulch including areas along the access road from the landfill, topsoil stockpiles, and the uppermost reclaimed areas. Oxeye daisy, a relatively late blooming perennial, was treated in a heavy infestation just north of the Robinson Lake Dam and in smaller infestations throughout Robinson Tailings Pond and the E Dump area. Individual oxeye daisy plants were treated in small numbers along the West Interceptor Road as well. Although this species is not particularly widespread at the mine, 2010 infestations were found to be significantly heavier than those treated in 2009. Climax Mine: IPM Report 4 February 2011