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water quality legislation. To be fully effective, state <br />regulation of peat extraction may require a specific designation <br />under the mining laws, or the adoption by the Colorado <br />legislature of a wetlands regulation which would directly <br />regulate peatland activities. <br />7.2 Recommendations for the Regulation of Peat Excavation and <br />Reclamation at Peat Excavation Sites <br />This section of the report identifies some of the measures <br />that should be considered if the decision is made to regulate <br />peat extraction. The regulatory goals may include ensuring hat <br />the excavation of peat does not unnecessarily sacrifice the <br />natural resources, functions, and values of peatlands and the <br />other resources associated with them. To accomplish these goals <br />the following points are recommended. First, that peat <br />extraction be recognized as a form of mining. Secondly, that <br />some measures may be needed prior to, and during excavation to <br />effectively limit the excavation's impacts without overburdening <br />the industry. Thirdly, note the distinction between wetland and <br />non - wetland ecosystems and suggest, since all peatlands are <br />wetland ecosystems, that "in- kind" reclamation be the objective <br />at all excavation sites. <br />Given that the excavation of peat is, in practice, <br />appearance, impact, and nature similar to other mining activities <br />it could be regulated by the mining laws of the state. Many of <br />65 <br />