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Summary of Annual Weed Management Activities <br /> Introduction <br /> On February 5, 2008, Mesa County approved a Conditional Use Permit ("Permit") for the <br /> Whirlwind Mine ("Mine"). Condition #6 of the Permit requires noxious weed management and <br /> the Addendum on weed control specifies management requirements during mining operations. <br /> Likewise, the September 2008, Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") Decision Record ("DR"), <br /> Attachment B, Compliance and Monitoring, Conditions #11 and #12, and Colorado's Division of <br /> Reclamation, Mining and Safety (the "DRMS") approved permit M-2007-044, Mine Plan <br /> ("Plan"), Exhibit T, require similar weed control practices during active mining operations. <br /> The Mine was in temporary cessation until 2022,when DRMS acknowledged mining had resumed. <br /> Resumption of mining triggered compliance with the Permit, DR, and Plan weed control <br /> requirements. According to the DR, and Permit, during mining operations,weed surveys and weed <br /> control measures are to be implemented along County Road 5/10 as well as in the Mine in areas <br /> that have been impacted by mining. Further, an annual report of the weed survey along with <br /> mitigation measures and practices employed is required to be submitted to Mesa County and the <br /> BLM. The following summarizes weed control activities for 2022. <br /> 1.0 Weed Surveys <br /> Weed surveys are required during active mining operations. Weeds are to be surveyed around the <br /> Mine area (disturbed area inside the fence) and along County Road 5/10 from its intersection with <br /> John Brown Road to the Mine entrance. Surveys are to be performed in the Spring (April or May) <br /> and the Fall (September or October). <br /> 1.1 Spring Survey <br /> As discussed with Duncan Dearduff on May 10, 2022, and in an email dated June 6, 2022 <br /> (Appendix A) Mr. Dearduff noted that he performed the Spring survey May 28, 2022, driving <br /> along County Road 5/10 from its intersection with John Brown Road to the Mine entrance. <br /> Bindweed, cheatgrass, biennial thistles and knapweed were found as provided in the email <br /> correspondence. <br /> Mine personnel did a weed inspection April 2022, prior to resumption of mining activities finding <br /> similar weed species as noted by Mr. Dearduff. Mine personnel inspected the disturbed area inside <br /> the Mine fence focusing on the parking area and the road between the parking area and the portal <br /> (see map in Appendix Q. <br /> 1.2 Fall Survey <br /> Mine personnel performed the weed inspection within the Mine site area on September 20, 2022. <br /> The areas sprayed, as described in Section 2.0 were inspected to determine how effective the <br /> application of herbicides were. Neither the Permit, Plan or DR contemplates total weed removal <br /> and recognizes that re-application or additional applications may be required. <br /> 1 <br />