2020-03-06_REVISION - M1978283 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Walsenburg Sand and Gravel, Co. Sand Arroyo Pit - M-1978-283 Weed Control Plan 1 . INTRODUCTION The Walsenburg Sand and Gravel Co. (hereinafter referred to as the Operator) of the Sand Arroyo Pit, encompassing a parcel of land shown on the vicinity map and located in parts of SE1/SE1/,, Section 21, parts of the SWl/,SWl/, Section 32 , parts of the NW'/,NW'/, of Section 27 and part of the SE1/,SE1/, of Section 28 , Township 28 South, Range 67 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian, Huerfano County, Colorado, containing 67 . 65 acres more or less . Gravel mining operations will occur across all , or part, of the rangeland area on this 67 . 65 acre mine . The site currently has areas that are used as a mine, concrete Batch Plant site and support facilities, a ephemeral creek bottom and undisturbed areas used as rangeland. 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 that encompasses the total project area. The CSU Cooperative Extension office operates under cooperative agreement with the Huerfano County government, and provides technical assistance regarding noxious weed management on public and private lands within the county. The Walsenburg Sand and Gravel Co . will do biennial checks on the mine for any noxious weeds on site . Implementation of this plan will begin in the spring after mining starts and will continue until the state determines that reclamation is complete . It is not possible to totally eradicate the noxious weeds from the mine since much of the surrounding property is not owned by The Walsenburg Sand and Gravel Co. , 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 the over all property management activi- ties . This plan is based on controlling the undesirable 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 44 (REVISED 3/6/2020)