2011-08-19_REVISION - C1980001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chevron Mining, Inc. Edna Mine: 2011 Weed Management Report pond (perennial pepperweed, houndstongue, light Canada thistle), West Ridge terrace T8 (whitetop), and the terraces immediately east of the main road that bisects the West Ridge, where infestations were visible from the road (whitetop). Herbicide applications to treat these remaining areas of concern were scheduled for and conducted on July 6 through July 9. Herbicide Application Methods Herbicide solutions were spot - applied to targeted weed species with UTV- mounted and ATV - mounted spray rigs across most of the permit areas, while backpack sprayers were utilized on more difficult terrain, such as in the vicinity of Moffat Pond. An herbicide solution of Weedestroy (active ingredient: 2,4 -D amine) and Tordon 22K (active ingredient: picloram) was applied to Canada thistle, musk thistle, oxeye daisy and houndstongue. A separate solution containing Escort (metsulfuron methyl) and alternatively Escort and Milestone (aminopyralid) was used to treat whitetop infestations. Milestone was added to Escort for applications on the West Ridge as whitetop in that area was often found to be interspersed with moderate to heavy houndstongue, which generally responds better to the Milestone than to the Escort. All herbicides employed at the Edna Mine are broadleaf selective and have a low potential for injury to surrounding, desirable native grass species. A surfactant, MSO Premium, was included in all herbicide mixtures to increase leaf adhesion and absorption. Additionally, blue marker dye was included in both mixtures to allow greater visibility of treated areas during herbicide application. Appendix B contains complete herbicide application records for 2011, including dates, quantities, and dilution rates of all herbicides and surfactants. 2011 Treatment Summary Treatment efforts in 2011 were focused in both the Moffat and West Ridge areas of the mine as discussed in the "2011 Weed Management Prioritization" section. A map depicting treatment areas, treatment dates and species treated has been included with this document as Appendix A. Areas of moderate to large infestation were documented with GPS and transferred directly to the map as solid colored points, lines and polygons, while treatment areas found to contain smaller, more sporadic infestations have been noted on the map with a cross -hatch pattern. Treatment 1- June 13 through June 16, 2011 The initial herbicide treatment at the Edna Mine in 2011 focused primarily on moderate whitetop infestations throughout the Moffat permit area. Approximately ninety light to moderate whitetop patches were treated using hose to hand gun spray rigs mounted on a Kubota RTV900 UTV and a Bombardier Traxter ATV. Whitetop infestations were found to be the most severe and occurring in the greatest numbers at the southern end of the Moffat area. Escort XP herbicide was applied to whitetop populations at the rate of one ounce per acre during the first treatment visit. Emerging infestations of Canada thistle, Houndstongue and oxeye daisy were treated on the June visit as well. Moderate Houndstongue was treated in the vicinity of Moffat Pond and throughout the lower segments of the three drainages that empty into Moffat Pond. Canada thistle and oxeye daisy were treated primarily in light to moderate infestations with the heaviest patches occurring throughout the drainage channel and adjacent sagebrush community immediately south Habitat Management, Inc. 3 August 19, 2011