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2012 Reclamation Report <br />Southfield Mine <br />During the summer season of 2010, triangular structures of woven wire fencing and steel fence <br />posts were installed around selected tree and shrub transplants that showed stress or damage from <br />wildlife browsing. <br />Previously Revegetated Areas <br />Previously revegetated areas at the Mine Site include the main facilities area, small ancillary <br />facility areas, and the west portion of the refuse disposal area that were seeded with the <br />permanent seed mix in 2003. The remaining previously revegetated areas (pre 2003) lay primarily <br />on the east and mid portion of the refuse disposal area. The more recent areas seeded and <br />mulched in 2003 exhibited good vegetative conditions considering the relatively dry winter & <br />spring seasons during 2007 - 2008. Midsummer monsoon rains during 2008 then brought instant <br />improvement & vigor to the vegetation. Moisture during 2009 was adequate for continued good <br />growth. Although the fall season of 2010 had little rainfall, spring moisture and monsoon rains <br />proved well for the vegetation. Reports by the Division (2011) state that the vegetation on the <br />sites continue to do well and that the successful results are serving as an effective erosion control <br />as well. <br />The winter season of 2011 yielded very little snow melt and precipitation during 2012 was also <br />very low. Although moisture was low, on the non - sloping sites, the vegetation appeared stunted <br />but maintained sufficiently to serve adequately for erosion control. The southwest slope of the <br />Refuge Disposal Area (RDA) did not fare as well during the summer season of 2012. Grasses <br />were short and sparse on the south slope area but sufficient to curtail erosion on the slope. Only <br />slight rilletts were noticeable on the south slope. <br />The Loadout Area was seeded to the permanent revegetation seed mixture in 1997. Poor initial <br />vegetative establishment resulted in the decision to reseed the entire Loadout Area in 1999. <br />Limited topsoil availability and extended drought conditions had hindered effective vegetative <br />reestablishment in the Loadout Area. Through ongoing discussions with the DRMS, limited <br />interseeding (25 percent of area) of the reclaimed Loadout area was approved by the DMG <br />(DRMS), with the understanding that this limited work would not affect the current liability <br />schedule (10 -year liability period initiated by secondary reseeding in 1999). <br />During March of 2011, due to trespassers entering both Loadout sites at each end, a trench with <br />berm was cut across each of the trespasser's entry points. During the report period of 2012, the <br />trenches have served as an effective deterrent to trespasser vehicles. <br />IME, Inc., sample /monitored the Loadout site during the summer season of 2006. Results of data <br />obtained from the monitoring is included in the Revegetation Monitoring Report for Reclaimed <br />Areas in the section titled "Loadout Reclamation ". IME, Inc. also sampled the Loadout during <br />2010. <br />5 <br />