2016-05-03_REVISION - M1977141 - Laserfiche WebLink

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LYONS QUARRY PERMIT NO.M-1977-141 WEED CONTROL PLAN This weed control plan is submitted to the Division of Reclamation,Mining and Safety(DRMS)as required under a corrective action item set forth in the report of a DRMS inspection of Lyons Quarry conducted March 2,2016. While there is not currently an approved weed control plan on file with DRMS,annual weed assessments,management plans and control had been conducted by Aggregate Industries' vegetation control contractor prior to significant flooding of the South St.Vrain Creek in September 2013. The quarry has not been evaluated or treated since the flood due to access constraints. Until the Old St. Vrain bridge is replaced and flood damaged portions of Old St.Vrain Road are repaired by Boulder County,the only access to the site requires crossing through South St. Vrain Creek by foot. According to the Boulder County Transportation Department,the design for the replacement of the bridge is currently underway and they anticipate construction starting winter 2017 and going through summer 2017. Boulder County Parks and Open Space is working through the design of the road repairs on the road west of the bridge;however the timeline of that work is not known at this time. The site was accessed by foot during the March 2 inspection, at which time diffuse knapweed was observed throughout the site. Aggregate's vegetation contractor,Foothills Vegetation, contacted Boulder County Resource Management Division's weed coordinator, Steve Sauer,to discuss and arrange for a site assessment. Mr. Sauer advised at that time that there is no way to access until the road and bridge are repaired. While limited access by foot may accommodate a site assessment before those repairs are made, current stream flows are prohibitive to safe access. This weed control and management plan has therefore been developed based upon pre-flood conditions and management practices. Prior to the inspection,the most recent assessment was conducted in preparation for the 2013 weed management season. Herbicide treatment of diffuse knapweed was proposed for late spring/early summer and fall of 2013. The site was treated on.May 15, 2013,. and in addition to knapweed, some common mullein,Canada thistle,musk thistle and Dalmation toadflax were observed and treated(the flood prevented the proposed 2013 fall treatment). These species were consistent with previous years' weed assessment and control activities and are therefore considered to be the target species for ongoing control. Due to the rugged terrain of the site,use of herbicides was the control method used in the past and is proposed for ongoing treatment. Herbicides used in the past included Milestone,Escort and Telar,which are also used by Boulder County in its management plan for Parks and Open Space. Other herbicides as determined in conjunction with the Boulder County Weed Coordinator may be used if determined to be more appropriate. Application of herbicides for the target weeds will typically occur in late spring/early summer and again in the fall as needed. In 2016,the early season application would occur in late May or early June if the site can be safely accessed. The Fall,2016 application would occur when stream flows may better accommodate safe access by foot,or possibly a four-wheeler,across the river. Subsequent to 2016,the site will be evaluated annually and control implemented at the appropriate times and seasons for the weeds to be treated.