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Rifle Grave', Pit#1 July 2023 <br /> 6.4 Revegetation Success Criteria <br /> When final landform is achieved, the surface will be stabilized by vegetation to reduce <br /> further soil erosion from wind or water, provide forage and cover, prevent dust as required <br /> by State Statute, and reduce visual impacts. A uniform vegetative cover will be established <br /> with an individual plant density of at least 70% of pre-disturbance levels within four growing <br /> seasons per Garfield County requirements. Noxious weeds will not be counted as part of the <br /> 70% cover. The seed mixes detailed in Figure 14, Exhibit E1 will be used to revegetate the <br /> site. <br /> 6.5 Noxious Weed Control <br /> Noxious weeds identified through the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. 35-5.5)will be <br /> controlled per state and county regulation. Control will be achieved by the following <br /> measures: <br /> • A weed survey of the permit area will be completed every spring. <br /> • Infestations will be treated using approved chemicals and will be sprayed by a <br /> certified applicator. <br /> • After reclamation, weed surveys and treatment will continue until the perennial cover <br /> and production of the site have met DRMS requirements and bond release has been <br /> obtained. <br /> The Garfield County Vegetation Manager and the NRCS was consulted during the <br /> development of the Weed Management Plan (Attachment C). The reclamation plan does <br /> not contemplate total weed removal on the property; experience has shown that some weed <br /> infestation is common on the property and in surrounding areas, and complete eradication <br /> will not be feasible given limitations in control methods and surrounding infestations. <br /> Additional information regarding noxious weed control includes the commitment that Scott <br /> will treat all noxious weeds on a biannual basis, with an herbicide application in the spring <br /> (late June) and late summer(late August). Gravel storage piles will be treated with a bare <br /> ground herbicide if the piles are expected to remain for more than 1 season. Scott will use a <br /> Colorado-certified herbicide applicator. All work equipment will be sanitized and have any <br /> existing dirt, vegetation, or seeds from landscaping and operational work removed before <br /> leaving the work area. Prior to bond release, Scott will conduct a noxious weed inventory <br /> and bond release reports developed by third parties for submittal to DRMS and Garfield <br /> County. <br /> 6.6 Reclamation Plan Schedule <br /> The reclamation seeding plans will occur by mining phase and comply with the County and <br /> CDOT standards for application rates. <br /> See Section 6.3.3 for a discussion of the seeding and revegetation plans. See Section 6.4 <br /> for a discussion of how the success of the revegetation plans will be monitored. See <br /> Section 6.6 for a discussion of how noxious weeds will be controlled. <br /> 6.6.1 Previously Disturbed/Unnecessary Areas <br /> Reclamation of unnecessary mine components (e.g., previously used areas which no longer <br /> will provide productive aggregate extraction) is limited due to the wet mining process that <br /> Scott will use. Previously used areas will be incorporated into the pond area, and no active <br /> 42 <br />