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July 18, 2011
<br />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 />palrneri), 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 (Dactylic
<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 vvoodsii)„ 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 tectorum), 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 (Melilotus officinalis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense),
<br />Whitetop/Hoary Cress(Cardaria draba), and Dalmat:ion toad flax (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: 1
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