2011-02-23_REPORT - M1977493 (4)

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application in 2011 should continue to be monitored and sprayed for germinating mayweed chamomile as well. It appears that this weed initially grows well in recently reclaimed soils because of the high nitrogen content and lack of plant competition and becomes less of a problem as perennial grass communities become established. Thus, it is likely that ongoing, repeated treatment, in conjunction with the continued establishment of native grass communities, should result in the eventual elimination of mayweed chamomile from Climax's reclaimed areas. Canada thistle and oxeye daisy are present and established on the mine, but have been shown to be much less prevalent than yellow toadflax. Occurrences of these species are sporadic throughout disturbed areas of the mine and pose less of a threat to dominant plant communities. Control of these species warrants thorough but less frequent spraying. Follow up spraying for oxeye daisy in 2011 will almost certainly be necessary in the area between Eagle Park Reservoir and the Robinson Lake Dam, as well as throughout most of the facilities areas in camp. Areas requiring follow up for Canada thistle treatment in 2011 should include all of upper McNulty Gulch and hillsides south and west of Mayflower Tailings Pond, possibly extending into lower Searle Gulch. Noxious weed treatments in 2011 should be anticipated to require a similar duration and budget as was allocated in 2010 in order to adequately treat existing problematic infestations as well as to scope and treat potential new infestation problems throughout the entire mine. In order to improve efficiency and better track problem infestations, recommends that mapping be integrated with control and reporting efforts. Finally, Habitat Management feels that, with regard to total vegetation control at substations, a somewhat different approach would be more effective in terms of long term fuel reduction and general fire safety. In most circumstances, these areas were not consistently treated prior to 2009. Thus, thick well-established vegetation was encountered at several of the substations. Although herbicide spraying is effective in reducing the number of living plants in a given area, the large number of standing dead still presents a safety and defensible space issue in the event of a wildfire. Our Climax Mine: IPM Report 6 February 2011