Laserfiche WebLink
Coors Energy Company: Keenesburg Mine Permit No. C-81-028 <br />2017 Third Quarter Pest & Disease Inspection <br />On August 14, 2017 Wayne Erickson (Habitat Management, Inc). inspected operational, <br />bonded reclaimed and shop areas at the Keenesburg Mine for plant pests, plant <br />diseases and noxious weeds that could or have affected establishment of vegetation on <br />reclaimed lands. The inspection was conducted by vehicular and pedestrian means. The <br />following areas were inspected: <br />• The office/shop/facility area; <br />• Topsoil stockpiles A-1 and B-1; <br />• B pit; <br />• The long-term spoil area; <br />• Bonded Reclamation; <br />• The permanent sediment pond; <br />• Mine roads; <br />• Undisturbed land within the permit boundary; <br />• and <br />• The Dugout. <br />These areas are depicted on Map 1. <br />Plant disease was not identified within the areas inspected. During the season <br />vegetation growth had been progressing normally and appeared to have been more <br />robust than normal due to favorable precipitation. However, a severe hail storm in the <br />preceding week caused significant damage to vegetation on reclaimed areas. This <br />damage is widespread and will likely preclude vegetation monitoring this year. The <br />vegetation has not been adversely affected by plant pests, however, a significant <br />number of grasshoppers were observed in the hail damaged reclamation areas. Areas <br />affected by infestation or blight were not identified during this inspection. No areas <br />were observed where noxious weeds, plant pests or plant disease had adversely <br />impacted the normal growth and establishment of vegetation on reclaimed lands, with <br />the exception of cheatgrass infestations. <br />Ongoing vegetation monitoring has identified cheatgrass as a potential barrier to <br />successful revegetation of disturbed areas. Typically, cheatgrass Infestations are more <br />widespread and dense on recently reclaimed lands. Cheatgrass infestations are being <br />treated by mine personnel with good success. Infestations on older reclamation areas <br />are scattered and less dense due to treatment efforts. <br />Habitat Management, Inc. 2 August 21, 2017 <br />