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PERMIT#: M-1983-139 <br /> INSPECTOR'S INITIALS:MAC <br /> INSPECTION DATE: August 17,2016 <br /> invoices for the work completed. <br /> CORRECTIVE ACTION DUE DATE: 10/31/16 <br /> OBSERVATIONS <br /> The inspection was conducted by Michael Cunningham of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> (Division). Peter Adler and Judy Schmidt with the City of Arvada, Christine Alexander with Vegetation <br /> Management Inc. and Mark Zeiler with Pioneer Sand and Gravel were also present for the inspection. The <br /> Leyden Pit is located on the east side of Highway 93 in Jefferson County. <br /> On August 9, 2016, the Division received a written citizen complaint from Mr. Tom Fey which stated diffuse <br /> knapweed had been observed at the Leyden Pit. The Division provided the Permittee with a copy of the <br /> complaint on August 10, 2016. The Division's policy is to conduct inspections in response to all citizen <br /> complaints. <br /> The Leyden Pit is a sand and gravel operation which is permitted for 320 acres. The site is operated by Pioneer <br /> Sand and Gravel. Mining is complete and final reclamation of the site is underway. During a routine monitoring <br /> inspection conducted in 2004,the Division observed diffuse knapweed at the site and required the Permittee <br /> to develop a Weed Control Plan. The Weed Control Plan which was approved on August 9, 2005 addressed the <br /> control of diffuse knapweed, canada thistle, musk thistle and dalmation toadflax. Currently, the City of Arvada <br /> contracts weed control for the Leyden Pit with Vegetation Management Inc. The City of Arvada submits <br /> reports detailing the treatment of the property with the Annual Report due on April 23rd of each year. The <br /> reports submitted to the Division show the Leyden Pit was treated for noxious weeds on six separate <br /> occasions during the 2015 growing season. <br /> Pioneer Sand and Gravel maintains a 10 acre sales yard within the permitted mine site and the sales yard is <br /> open to the public for purchase of landscape materials.The main access road which connects the sales yard to <br /> Highway 93 is approximately 1.3 miles in length. The Division observed minor amounts of diffuse knapweed <br /> along the access road. However, no large areas of infestation were observed and diffuse knapweed appeared <br /> to be under control along the access road. The sales yard which comprises 10 acres was completely infested <br /> with diffuse knapweed.The Division observed diffuse knapweed on the various stockpiles in the sales yard. In <br /> addition, diffuse knapweed appeared to be present on all disturbed areas within the sales yard, with the <br /> exception of the areas impacted by vehicle traffic. The Division also observed bull thistle and bindweed on the <br /> stockpiles. <br /> According to the Permittee, Pioneer Sand and Gravel requested that Vegetation Management Inc. not treat <br /> the 10 acre sale yard. Mr. Zeiler with Pioneer Sand and Gravel stated they were treating the sales yard. <br /> However, the Division does not have any information on how noxious weeds are being controlled in this area <br /> and based on the observations made during the inspection, the treatment methods are not effective.The <br /> diffuse knapweed has been allowed to go to seed in the sales yard. As a result, a seed bank has established in <br /> the various stockpiles which are present. Diffuse knapweed is ideally suited to spread by vehicles and tumbling <br /> in the wind and failure to control it can lead to the spread of this noxious weed. Diffuse knapweed is a List B <br /> Colorado Noxious Weed species and must be controlled to stop the further spread of the plant. <br /> Page 2 of 7 <br />