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1 <br /> CORE Noxious Weed Management Plan <br /> Hitch Rack Ranch Aggregate Quarry Development Project <br /> CONSULTANTS El Paso County, Colorado <br /> examples of explicit signage, photos of typical noxious weed species located on the <br /> property, and rules it <br /> to avoidance and noxious weed management protocols. <br /> Additional construction noxious weed management methods may be implemented as <br /> determined through coordination with the County. <br /> 3.5 Reclamation <br /> The Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (CDRMS) requires that a <br /> Reclamation Plan be submitted for any proposed new mine (quarry) operation. A key <br /> component of the Reclamation Plan is the revegetation of disturbed areas based on the <br /> type of post-mining land use identified. Specifically, C.R.S. 34-32.5-1 16(f) states: <br /> In those areas where revegetation is part of the reclamation plan, land shall be <br /> revegetated so that a diverse, effective, and long-lasting vegetative cover is <br /> established that is capable of self-regeneration and is at least equal, with respect to <br /> the extent of cover, to the natural vegetation of the surrounding area. Species <br /> chosen for revegetation shall be compatible for the proposed post-extraction land <br /> use and shall be of adequate diversity to establish successful reclamation. <br /> The Project Reclamation Plan identifies wildlife cover/natural vegetative cover as the <br /> intended post-mining land use. Specifically, the landscape will be returned to a natural <br /> state of vegetation to the greatest extent practicable to provide habitat for wildlife native <br /> to the landscape. As such, noxious weed surveys and control will be incorporated into <br /> reclamation of the Project site to ensure that a natural, diverse vegetative cover is <br /> established. Frequency and number of surveys will be determined through coordination <br /> with the County. Initial reclamation-phase noxious weed surveys would occur once native <br /> revegetation is established and would continue as determined through analysis of survey <br /> results. Survey data and maps will be updated and provided to the County as data is <br /> compiled. <br /> Noxious weeds spread more readily when topsoil is imported for reclamation phases (EPC, <br /> 1996). Site reconnaissance, aerial imagery, and topographic maps indicate the <br /> topography of the mining areas is generally steep and rocky (U.S. Department of <br /> Agriculture, 2015). Native-site topsoil salvage will occur throughout construction to prevent <br /> the possibility of introducing noxious weeds within imported topsoil. Screening of salvaged <br /> topsoil piles will be used to create finer grained topsoil (fines) to promote revegetation <br /> during reclamation. Fines will be used to back-fill areas prepared for terracing during the <br /> reclamation phase. <br /> PAGE 7 OF 11 <br /> 1950 IN LITTLETON BLVD I SUITE 109 1 LITTLETON CO 80120 1303.703.4444 <br />