EcoPoint conducts qualitative monitoring twice a year, in spring and fall, visiting each location under custody yet to be released from reclamation requirements to assess compliance conditions. The investigation focuses on several compliance areas, including issues related to noxious weeds, stormwater management, revegetation success, and other potential violations like on-site trash. Recommendations cover various categories such as bareground management, noxious weed control, stormwater mitigation, seed/straw application, mowing practices, fencing, and other pertinent factors. Site descriptions are provided for reference in reports. During each visit, staff members walk the entire site, update disturbance or pad size changes, and capture photos from repeat photo points to document year-over-year changes. All collected data is stored and reported in a GIS database, and reports contain specific recommendations for each location, guiding reclamation activities and mapping environmental concerns.
Spring monitoring is crucial for effective weed control and soil/seed management, allowing prompt identification of weed florets and early stages for herbicide applications. Additionally, spring monitoring addresses stormwater compliance issues.
Fall monitoring is vital for identifying noxious weeds during senescence, optimizing herbicide application protocols, and locating areas requiring reseeding or addressing failed germinations from spring seeding. Overall, this monitoring process ensures proactive management of environmental concerns and facilitates targeted reclamation efforts for each site.
