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United States Department of Agriculture <br />o MRCS <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service <br />Hugo Field Office <br />318 5" St. (PO Box 127) <br />Hugo, CO 80821 <br />July 8, 2015 <br />Colorado Dept. of Natural Resources <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety <br />1313 Sherman St. Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />719-743-2408 - Office <br />844-496-7213 - Fax <br />www.co.usda.gov <br />jUL 14 2015 <br />QMSIN tG WD SAF A1�N <br />RE: Lincoln County, Fisher Pit, Permit No. M -1977 -163 -SG — SLO1 <br />Ms. Eschberger — <br />On behalf of the High Plains Conservation District, I visited the Fisher Pit located —2.5 miles west of <br />Genoa, CO on July 6, 2015 to evaluate reclamation efforts for permit release consideration. <br />It is the opinion of this office that much of the site has not been adequately revegetated (see enclosed <br />photos.) In the areas of concern, the majority of cover is provided by broadleafs composed of yellow <br />sweet clover, field bindweed, curlycup gumweed, horseweed, alfalfa, annual sunflower, and hairy <br />goldaster. Western wheatgrass is the most prevalent grass with lesser amounts of sand dropseed, <br />tumblegrass, squirreltail, threeawn, and smooth brome also present. While limited portions of lower -lying <br />areas support considerable densities of western wheatgrass, a significant portion of stand does not meet <br />our customary standard of =>3 desirable perennial species/sq. ft. <br />Of particular concern is the apparent lack of seeding success on cut slopes resulting in substantial rilling, <br />as well as the abundance of bindweed. We hold that the site should be given additional time to establish <br />and stabilize. Furthermore, timely recovery of significant portions seems unlikely and may warrant <br />additional follow-up reclamation efforts. At the least, a greatly improved grass component is needed to <br />accommodate bindweed spraying which would likewise reduce much of the other stabilizing broadleaf <br />cover. <br />We are available for limited reclamation recommendations (e.g. seed mix, mulching) if desired. Feel free <br />to contact me with any questions. <br />Regards, <br />5 ; 4'� -, -- /' � �le � � CA— , , , /'� �' � <br />Stu McFarland <br />District Conservationist <br />Hugo Field Office <br />Helping People Help the Land <br />An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />