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permitting from the State of Colorado under the Clean Water Act in the form of a 401 <br /> certification,NPDES, or other permit. The operator is required to obtain any other permits <br /> necessary before beginning work. These permits would further ensure water quality is protected. <br /> Protective/Mitigation Measures: <br /> • The site must be maintained in such a way that soil stays within the work area and <br /> does not leave the perimeter of the disturbance or enter the river. Mitigation <br /> outlined in the Soils section(3.2.3) should be sufficient to accomplish this. In the <br /> case it is not, the proponent will take corrective action to ensure this criteria is <br /> being met. <br /> • The site and all associated mitigations shall be monitored by the proponent at <br /> least monthly. Corrective actions shall be completed immediately to remedy any <br /> occurrence of soil leaving the disturbed perimeter or excessive erosion. <br /> Cumulative Impacts: At the larger watershed scale along the Arkansas River, the <br /> Proposed Action would add an additional .6 acres of disturbance spread out over several years <br /> that could result in increased sedimentation. Along the river there are many other potential water <br /> quality impacts such as mining,highways, recreation sites, and home sites. The addition of this <br /> disturbance with mitigation would not appreciably add to any water quality concerns in the <br /> overall area. <br /> No Action Alternative <br /> Direct and Indirect Impacts: Current mining taking place under the approved Plan of <br /> Operations with associated impacts,will continue, irrespective of the proposed modification <br /> approval. <br /> Protective/Mitigation Measures:None <br /> Finding on the Public Land Health Standard for Water Quality: The Arkansas River at this <br /> location is currently meeting Public Land Health Standards for Water Quality. The Proposed <br /> Action would not be expected to result in the river to no longer meet standards. <br /> 3.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES <br /> 3.3.1 INVASIVE PLANTS* <br /> Affected Environment: <br /> Invasive plants are common in the area due to historical grazing and mining practices and <br /> the native plant community has been altered. The ecological sites that make up the project site <br /> are prone to a variety of weed infestations if soil surface disturbance occurs. Invasive plants <br /> within 10 miles of the project area include but are not limited to: dalmation toadflax,yellow <br /> toadflax,diffuse knapweed, Russian knapweed,myrtle spurge,perennial pepperweed,tamarisk, <br /> leafy spurge,white top,musk thistle, Russian thistle, cholla cactus, Scotch thistle, Kochia, and <br /> Canada thistle.As stated in the Plan of Operations modification, monitoring will be conducted <br /> for the life of the project and until successful reclamation is complete as described in the Plan of <br /> Operations modification and mitigation included in the Soils section 3.2.3. <br /> Environmental Effects <br />