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BROWNSTONE 2015 - STATE EXHIBIT - J <br />The prevailing vegetative community ranges from large Cottonwood trees to midrange Chinese Elm <br />trees that together contribute approximately 10% of the total area. Sage brush and rabbit brush <br />contribute around 20% of the area with mid to low laying Forbs such as milkweed contributing about <br />10% of the total area. The remaining 60% of the area is made up of native grasses such as Wheatgrasses, <br />Brome, Fescue and Ryegrass. <br />The topsoil on the West side of the amendment is spotty and thin, as it lays on the Brownstone outcrop, <br />consequently the vegetation is scattered low lying grasses. The soil type on the East side of the <br />amendment is a filled in slope consisting of clay and rock rubble. The rabbit brush and sage brush <br />manage to survive sufficiently on this slope as the area was filled in by the construction of an irrigation <br />canal just over 110 years ago. It seems enough time has passed to allow for the formation of vegetative <br />material on the very surface as small pockets of low lying grass are also present. <br />The central strip of the amendment consists of sandy loam topsoil of about 4" to 6" thick. The <br />vegetation is quite varied here consisting mainly of grasses with the occasional Cottonwood or Chinese <br />Elm. Rabbit brush, sage brush and forbs such as milkweed round out this area as the vegetation has had <br />time enough to balance itself with the surrounding conditions of rain, sun angle and wind. <br />Diffuse knapweed was observed by Michael Cunningham on April 23, 2015. The A list of potential <br />noxious weeds supplied by the Larimer County is as follows. 1. Cyprus Spurge 2. Hairy Willow -Herb 3. <br />Mediterranean Sage 4. Myrtle spurge 5. Orange hawkweed 6. Purple loosestrife 7. Yellow starthistle. <br />Stone Wholesale Quarry manager Justyn Hamilton and been given the task of familiarizing himself with <br />the list, including diffuse knapweed, by referencing pictures supplied on the Larimer County website. He <br />will monitor these weeds every month during the spring and early summer when they are just blooming. <br />When a weed from the list is identified a chemical spray will be used to eradicate the weed. Another <br />inspection will be done later in the summer to monitor noxious weeds and spraying will be applied as <br />needed to prevent weeds from seeding out. Stone Wholesale recognizes the need for control of these <br />weeds and will continue the weed control plan annually for the life of the mine.