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i <br /> Evaluation: Overall the Project appears to be successful in providing initial control of noxious weeds <br /> within the lower Coal Basin Area The 1999 evaluation of the 1998 control program indicated a degree of <br /> variability in successfully controlling the target species. Two of the reference areas showed no statistical <br /> difference in noxious weed species cover following the 1998 treatment. At reference area Number 2,a <br /> reduction in noxious weed cover on the order of 50%to 60%was realized following the 1998 treatment. <br /> The noxious weed cover at reference area Number 4 was reduced by the 1998 treatment from 41%to 1%. <br /> The 1999 sampling results were used to identify and target specific areas for the 1999 treatment. Although <br /> statistical evaluations of the areas treated in 1999 have not yet been made,casual observation indicates that <br /> a high degree of success was achieved by the 1999 treatment. The reference area will be evaluated in the <br /> summer of 2000 in order to help quantify the degree of Project success and identify future needs. Follow <br /> up treatment in 2000 is anticipated. <br /> The Project was highly successful in many regards. It is believed that a high degree of success in <br /> controlling the noxious weed infestation was accomplished through the mapping and treatment programs. <br /> However,not all of the control goals of the Project were accomplished. This is because the noxious weed <br /> infestation in lower Coal Basin is more extensive and dispersed than originally thought. In retrospect, <br /> funding of the grant for a three to four year,rather than two year,treatment program would have been a <br /> more realistic approach to accomplishing the Project goals. <br /> On-going efforts,to be principally undertaken in 2000,will help in accomplishing a greater degree of <br /> noxious weed eradication than has been achieved to date. Further,it is anticipated that,following the 2000 <br /> treatment,reseeding of the treated areas with aggressive reclamation species will be accomplished. This <br /> cultural practice will help in achieving the long term reclamation and weed control goals of the Division for <br /> this site. <br /> The Public has been supportive of the weed control effort,as it is an integral part of the Coal Basin <br /> reclamation process. The public has been kept abreast of the weed control efforts during public meetings <br /> and as part of site tours hosted by the Division. It is anticipated that public volunteers will be sought to <br /> help in the data acquisition process in the summer of 2000. <br /> The use of funds provided by the Department of Agriculture has greatly contributed to the success of this <br /> Project. These funds,and the partnerships which they have spawned,have vastly improved the noxious <br /> weed control efforts within the lower Coal Basin area. We are hopeful that the grant program will continue <br /> into the future. <br /> CAsg\c1bsn\weedrpt99 <br />