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8. Monitoring Reclamation Success <br /> Measures will be employed for the control of any noxious weed species. The objective of this <br /> weed management plan is to control undesirable plants on the Lockhart Pit property. Plants <br /> identified through the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S 35-5.5) and the Grand County <br /> Noxious Weed List as undesirable and designated for management within the county will be <br /> removed. Any weeds identified as List A species will be eradicated. Other lower listed plants <br /> identified as noxious weeds will be managed by control measures. A Weed Control Plan will be <br /> utilized as follows: <br /> 1) Each April, a weed survey will be taken of the permit area. <br /> 2) If any patches or plants have been identified, they will be sprayed by backpack sprayer <br /> or 4-wheeler using chemicals approved for use by the weed control staff of Grand <br /> County. <br /> 3) After reclamation, weed surveys and spraying will continue until the perennial cover and <br /> production of the site have met DRMS requirements and bond release has been <br /> obtained. <br /> The Noxious Weed booklet published by Grand County will be utilized for additional information <br /> on identification, plant-specific methods of control, and recommended herbicides. This <br /> publication serves as a reference guide. <br /> The Division and Grand County staff will be consulted regarding any weed infestation areas and <br /> any control measures prior to their initiation. The plan does not contemplate total weed removal <br /> of List B and lesser species on the property. Rather, the goal is to prevent the spread of weeds <br /> into uninfected areas as is the primary goal of the Grand County Weed Management Plan. Past <br /> experience has shown that some initial weed cover in the first year following the retopsoiling is <br /> beneficial to the reclamation effort in rangeland sites. Weeds tend to provide shade for new <br /> grasses, are a means of holding snow on the seedbed longer, and protect seedlings from wind <br /> and water erosion until the planted species have firmly taken hold. <br /> During all pods and areas of the mining operation the permit area will be monitored closely <br /> every year, through which the operator may determine if any additional weeds have grown. If <br /> any new species of weeds are found, Grand County and the Division will be consulted in order <br /> to formulate the best plan for the new infestation. <br /> Lockhart Pit E-4 U Lewicki& Associates <br /> March 2024 <br />