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LR <br />p1VIS10 � SN <br />O <br />August 28, 2015 MIN <br />Mr. Tyler O'Donnell <br />Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Re: Permit Number M-1977-436 — Brighton Mine <br />Corrective Action Response' <br />Dear Tyler: <br />AL <br />-AGGREGATE <br />INDUSTRIES <br />Aggregate Industries (AI) submits this letter in response to the Division's report of its <br />June 2, 2015 monitoring inspection of the above -referenced operation. The Division has <br />cited as a problem a failure to implement weed control methods for state listed noxious <br />weed species within the permitted area and to reduce the spread of weeds to nearby areas <br />as required by Rule 3.1.10(6) and has set August 31, 2015 as the corrective action date. <br />While the Division observed some patches of cheatgrass and thistles in revegetated areas, <br />Al disagrees that is has failed to implement appropriate weed control methods for <br />noxious weeds. The site has been actively managed for weeds since at least 2005 in an <br />effort to control noxious weeds throughout the site. Significant control of weeds has <br />been accomplished in re -vegetated areas since seeding was done. Enclosed as an <br />example of and verification of AI's weed control activities for the Division's review are <br />records of the most recent efforts from 2013 and 2014. <br />Also enclosed is the 2015 Weed Management proposal from Foothills Vegetation for the <br />Brighton Mine, which was provided to Al in November 2014. Proposed early season <br />control activities were not implemented this year due to City of Thornton's construction <br />activities related to its support facilities for its reservoir complex; however, Al will <br />coordinate with Thornton regarding proposed Fall weed control activities which includes <br />thistles, cheatgrass and Leafy Spurge. Typically, Fall control methods are implemented <br />in September or October. Note that the last records from 2014 are from October and <br />included thistles and cheatgrass as well as other noxious and non -noxious weeds. <br />The Division noted in its report that vegetation cover in the northern portion of the site <br />consists primarily of cheatgrass and annual weeds and will need to be seeded. As was <br />discussed during the inspection, Al will be conducting additional grading activity in this <br />It is AI's position that it has implemented appropriate and effective weed control methods <br />and that such weed control efforts are continuing. Al therefore respectfully requests the <br />Aggregate Industries <br />West Central Region, Inc. <br />1687 Cole Boulevard, Suite 300 <br />Golden, CO 80401 <br />Telephone: 303-985-1070 <br />An Equal Opportunity Employer <br />1 MS ij <br />