2011-07-20_REPORT - M1988044 (2)

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RECLAMATION PERMIT STATUS: No changes to the permit were made in the last year and the permit continues in compliance with the plan. 404 PERMIT STATUS: The 404 permit exclosures and other areas included in that permit continued with analysis. Significant gains were seen in Exclosures 1 and 2, but the gains in Exclosures 3, 4, and 5 were less due to the vegetation reaching a density limited plateau in its development. Exclosure 4, which shows a bit less density limitation continued to show some gains but appears to be reaching a density limit. Exclosure 1 appears to have reached a fairly stable density. The growth here is very dense and has likely entered a short duration density limitation. Vegetation zonation and community differentiation appears to be well along in its early stages with cottonwoods and willows tending to establish comfortable boundaries so less early tree -shrub competition occurs. Willows have definitely taken over the wetter areas with cottonwood in the drier, slightly more elevated areas. There is still a good deal of mixing in some locations due to microenvironmental variability. This seems to currently be functioning in a fairly non - conflicting arrangement, but as the trees become larger and shade effects on the shrubs become more prominent, conflict will ensue once again several years from now. In that instance, unless the soils become too wet for the cottonwood, which is entirely possible, the willows will locally lose the battle and relinquish the ground to the trees. The land outside the exclosure and north of the road crossing has continued to show rapid development and expansion of shrubs and trees over the last three summers. The channel relocation area continues to show excellent development and without any heavy flows since the changes were made, it has had an opportunity to establish a great deal of stability. It, as well as the south lowland, could still be negatively affected by a heavy flow, but the impact will be much less significant now that the growth has developed at least a moderately robust density. Exclosure 2 seems to be the one that is showing the slowest development. Its water supply is somewhat limited. But even here, gains are significant with both willow and cottonwood making excellent progress. The general stream channel in this area has continued to develop a strong growth of cottonwood and willow. This is a major shift in composition from what it was before grazing was removed. At that time the area was dominated by browsed, beaten and damaged willows and grossly distorted cottonwoods that had been affected by browsing during the winter months. Now, the cottonwoods are growing rapidly and in some places dominate the willows, but in other places the willows have established an almost impenetrable wall of vegetation in the stream bed. MINING ACTIVITY IN THE LAST YEAR: 1. Depth of mining - In the last year, mining depths were extremely variable due to the spotty and highly variable configuration of the remaining sand. In many instances, mining depth was quite deep, but also very large amounts of overburden and waste (wash fines) were generated. The waste is mostly located near the plant and comes from pond cleanings. Soils were exceptionally deep in some places which generated large volumes of soil for backfilling. All mining was in compliance with the depth requirements. Status report for 2009 due July 15, 2010 Page 5 of 13