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July 18, 2011 C-1994-082/Yoast Mine SLB
<br /> sagittata),Milkvetch(Astragalus sp.),Jim Hill mustard(Sisimbrium altissimum),Harebell(Campanula
<br /> rotundifolia),Wild buckwheat(Eriogon.um sp.),Wild geranium(Geranium sp.),Peavine(Lathyrus sp.),
<br /> Lupine(Lupinus sp.), Common yampa(Perideridia gairdneri), Palmer penstemon(Penstemon
<br /> palmeri),Rocky Mountain penstemon(:Penstemon strictus),Phlox(Phlox sp.),Goldenrod(Solidago sp.),
<br /> mustard(Descurainia sp.), Stinging nettle(Urtica gracilis ssp. gracilis),Alfalfa(Medicago sativa),Brome
<br /> (Bromus sp.),Larkspur(Delphinium sp.), Fescue(Festuca sp.),Basin Wildrye(Leymus cinereus),
<br /> Western wheatgrass(Pascopyrum smithii), Green needlegrass(Nassella viridula),Orchard grass(Dactylis
<br /> glomerata),Timothy(Phleum pratense), Servicebeny(Amelanchier alnifolia),Douglas rabbitbrush
<br /> (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus),Chokech.erry(Padus virginiana ssp. melanocarpa),Gambel's oak(Quercus
<br /> gambelii), Currant(Ribes sp.),Wood's rose(Rosa woodsii)„Big sagebrush(Seriphidium tridentatum),
<br /> snowberry(Symphoricarpos rotundifolius),Aspen(Populus tremuloides), Foxtail barley(Hordeum
<br /> jubatum),Wheat(Triticum aestivum),Pennycress(Thlaspi arvense),Bigseed alfalfa dodder(Cuscuta
<br /> indecora), Cheatgrass (Anisantha tectoram),Japanese brome(Bromus japonicas),Pigweed(Amaranthus
<br /> sp), Curlycup gumweed(Grindelia squarrosa),Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale),Musk thistle(Carduus
<br /> nutans ssp. macrolepis),Bull thistle(Cirsium vulgare),Hound's tongue(Cynoglossum officinale),Prickly
<br /> lettuce(Lactuca serriola),Yellow sweetclover(Meliilotus officinalis), Canada thistle(Cirsium arvense),
<br /> Whitetop/Hoary Cress(Cardaria draba), and Dalmat:ion toadflax(Linaria genistifolia ssp. dalmatica).
<br /> The aspen in the aspen farm area(southern end of South pit)were approximately 6' tall and very healthy
<br /> (photo). There was a dense concentration of Canada thistle in the immediate vicinity and within the aspen
<br /> stand.
<br /> The 2006-1 shrub enclosure had several healthy antelope bitterbrush, serviceberry snowberry, sage plants,
<br /> ranging in height from 6-12". This enclosure was fairly weedy with cheatgrass,Japanese brome, and
<br /> curlycup gumweed,but did not have a high concentration of thistle or houndstongue.
<br /> The 2003 Shrub Concentration area in the North Pit.,where the ground surface was manipulated,was very
<br /> weedy(cheatgrass,mustard, and houndstongue),but did have a fair concentration of Wood's rose and
<br /> snowberry(photo).
<br /> The south end of the neck pit,east of Topsoil Stockpile K was very dense with sagebrush and rabbit brush
<br /> (photo).
<br /> Bigseed alfalfa dodder was observed in the large stands of alfalfa(photo). This parasitic weed,while not
<br /> listed as a noxious weed, can become invasive and should be monitored. Unfortunately,this species is
<br /> difficult to control(no known biological control, chemical controls also destroy the host plant,and
<br /> mechanical/mowing is impractical). It will likely remain limited to the alfalfa plants,but has been
<br /> reported to readily attach to other available host plants. If it becomes apparent that the dodder has spread
<br /> beyond the alfalfa stands and poses a threat to reclamation success, SCC will need to make an effort to
<br /> control it.
<br /> There were two relatively small patches in the North Pit area that were dominated by Jim Hill mustard
<br /> and cheatgrass(photo). The operator may need to spray the cheatgrass in these areas.
<br /> Throughout the reclaimed area there is a fairly even distribution of thistle and houndstongue,with several
<br /> areas of heavier concentration. Several pockets of cheatgrass and whitetop were also identified. Areas of
<br /> concentrated noxious weed populations observed during the inspection are shown on the attached maps.
<br /> Weed spraying was observed in the extreme southern end of'the South pit area,and evidence of weed
<br /> Number of Partial Inspection this Fiscal Year: 0
<br /> Number of Complete Inspections this Fiscal Year: 11
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