Earth Day Award NominationConocoPhillips
Reese Canyon Drill Site
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Project History Overview
Exploration well drilled in 1997 when site was under State ownership
State accepted original reclamation efforts Land ownership was transferred to Grand
Staircase-Escalante National Monument in 1999
ConocoPhillips continued reclamation of the five acre site by seeding in 2002, monitoring in 2003, and replanting in 2004.
Location information
45 miles southeast of Escalante, UT Located in remote area of the
Kaiparowits Plateau Area contains network of canyons
with steep slopes and sandstone ledges
Surrounding vegetation is pinyon-juniper interspersed with sagebrush shrubland
Reese Canyon Setting
Original Reclamation Efforts – Phase 1
Site was regraded and seeded in 1997 with limited success
Native, BLM approved seed mix was used
Dark soils and south facing slopes presented challenges to restoration of the site
Phase 2 Reclamation
Maxim Technologies contracted in 2002 to reseed site with mix of native shrubs, forbs, and grasses
Site was mulched for moisture retention Baseline vegetation studies implemented
to track project success Moderate success due to drought
conditions
Phase 2 Reclamation
Phase 2 Reclamation – Vegetation Studies
Phase 3 Reclamation
ATC Associates contracted in 2004 to conduct further reclamation
Continued vegetation monitoring Innovative strategies such as pocket
planting implemented Small and large woody debris added
to site to retain soil moisture and slow erosion
Phase 3 Reclamation – Pocket Plantings
Pocket plantings
Phase 3 Reclamation – Palmer penstemon
Phase 3 Reclamation
Phase 3 Reclamation
Phase 4 Reclamation – 2005 Activities
ConocoPhillips/ATC Associates will conduct a reconnaissance trip this spring to determine extent of any erosion
Erosion control structures will be implemented as needed
Russian thistle seedlings will be removed Annual vegetation monitoring data will be
collected
Award Justification
Continued commitment to reclamation of site regardless of state approval
Use of innovative techniques to achieve reclamation success
Establishment and seed production of native species on a site with poor growing conditions
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