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2019 Keeling Pit Noxious Weed Management Plan <br /> By the Huerfano County Noxious Weed Department <br /> in varying densities. C list species found on site include: field bindweed, redstem filaree and <br /> cheatgrass. The establishment of native\desirable grasses throughout the site was limited <br /> at best,with a number of native forbs being the predominate species found among the <br /> mine area. Native species found on site include: curly cup gumweed, yucca, fringed <br /> sagebrush, gray Rabbitbrush, Douglas Rabbitbrush, broom snakeweed, wavy leaf thistle, <br /> Platte thistle, and purple aster. <br /> B. SITE\SURROUNDING AREA CONSIDERATIONS <br /> Given the widespread distribution of hoary cress, leafy spurge and other Colorado State List <br /> Noxious Weed species found among the mine area, control efforts will need to be <br /> implemented on an annual basis for a minimum of four years. The large amount of <br /> dormant and viable seed within the soil seed reserve will need to be exhausted by the <br /> prevention of future seed set by performing correctly timed treatment measures, <br /> prevention of the introduction of additional noxious plant species from off site, and by the <br /> early detection and rapid treatment of additional infested areas adjoining the mine area. <br /> The natural areas surrounding the mine area have a similar composition of noxious plant <br /> species as the mined area does. These populations will need to be addressed to prevent <br /> the continuous introduction of noxious plant species within the mine area. It should be <br /> noted that the Middle Creek area in general has been documented as having a large <br /> amount of infested acreage for a number of"B list" noxious plant species. <br /> C. CONTROL MEASURES BY SPECIES <br /> 1. HOARY CRESS <br /> Beginning in the fall of 2019 (September-October), a chemical application of <br /> metsulfuron methyl will be applied to the readily apparent areas that are infested by <br /> hoary cress. A limited amount of hoary cress will have re-emerged at this point, so this <br /> chemical application will be relying upon the preemergence activity that metsulfuron <br /> methyl provides. In the spring of 2020 (March-early June), chemical retreatment using <br /> the active ingredient of metsulfuron methyl and a non-ionic surfactant will be <br /> necessary to prevent further growth. A greater amount of hoary cress plants will be <br /> able to be detected for treatment at this point being that it is easily identified while in <br /> bloom during the spring. Please refer to the Herbicide Application Rate section. <br /> Mechanical control efforts will be ineffective given the aggressive rhizomatous root <br /> system of hoary cress and its widespread distribution throughout the site. Total treated <br /> acres will be documented during each application and follow up site monitoring will <br /> map the reduction of total infested acres to track the progress of control efforts. <br />