2019-02-13_REVISION - M2001038 (5)

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Albert Frei & Sons, Inc. AFS-Bennett Pit Weed Control Plan 1. INTRODUCTION Albert Frei & Sons, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as the Operator) of the ASF-Bennett Pit, encompassing a parcel of land shown on Map Exhibit B - vicinity map and located in Parts of the NE'/4NE'/4, SE'/4NE'/4, SW'/4NE'/4, NE'/4SE'/4 and SE'/4SE'/4 of Section 2,T-3-S, R-63-W, 6th P.M., Adams County, Colorado. Containing 107.88 ac. more or less. Gravel mining operations occur as a single stage operation with most of the areas being disturbed at some time during the life of the mine. The site currently has areas that have been mined prior to 2018. There are areas of high disturbance as a result of the existing mining operations on the land. Weed control will begin in the spring and con- tinue till reclamation is complete. Recognizing the presence of state-listed and county-listed noxious weeds in the general vicinity of this project area; and understanding the destructive nature of these noxious weeds, the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety has required the operator to develop and implement a weed management plan encompassing the total project area. The CSU Cooperative Extension office operates under cooperative agreement with the Adams County government, and provides technical assistance regarding noxious weed management on public and private lands within the county. Albert Frei & Sons, Inc. will do biennial checks on the mine for any noxious weeds on site. Implementation of this plan will continue until the reclamation is determined to be complete. It is not possible to totally eradicate the noxious weeds from the mine since much of the surrounding property is not owned by Albert Frei & Sons nor managed for noxious weed control. These uncontrolled areas are the seed sources for the infestation occurring on the mine. For this reason the Operator will be continually working to control noxious weeds throughout the life of the mine and until reclamation is done. 2. OVERVIEW OF APPROACH TO WEED MANAGEMENT Weed control is part of property management. This plan is based on promoting growth of desired plant species and communities, rather than on simply eliminating weeds. Preventive programs are implemented to keep the management area free of species that are not yet established there but which are known to be pests elsewhere in the area. Priorities are set to reduce or eradicate weeds that have already established on the property, according to their actual and potential impacts on the land management goals for the property, and according to the ability to control them now versus later. Ac- tions will be taken only when careful consideration indicates leaving the weed unchecked would result in more damage than controlling it with best available methods. 63