2025-07-07_REVISION - M1994081 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WEED CONTROL: Revised Weed Management Plan The revised weed management plan includes remediation of existing weed conditions,pit backfilling, sand application and topsoil amendments, ground surface improvements, and seeding and cultivation of native species. The objective of this weed management plan is to control undesirable plants on the MLI "Mr.Peat"peat mine property.According to TR-1 in November, 2016, previous seeding plans from the original 1994 permit included species currently deemed noxious—such as Prostrate Kochia. These species will no longer be considered or included in the seeding program. Measures will be employed for the control and removal of noxious weed species such as kochia, russian thistle, halogeton, and tamarisk as identified through the Colorado Noxious Weed Act(C.R.S. 35-5.5), by Alamosa County and the San Luis Valley Weed Management Association, and in the minerals program inspection report.A weed management plan will be utilized as follows: 1) MLI began weed management in April of 2025 by having the entire permitted area sprayed with assistance of a local"QS Certified"member, by way of a four wheeler pulling a tank with pump and sprayer. 2) Weed surveys of the permitted area will occur periodically and each spring with a vigorous examination occurring this next spring 2026. 3) If any patches or plants have been identified, they will be sprayed by backpack sprayer or four- wheeler using chemicals approved for use by the weed control staff of Alamosa County and the San Luis Valley Weed Management Association. 4) After reclamation, weed surveys and spraying will continue until the perennial cover and production of the site have met DRMS requirements and bond release has been obtained. Alamosa County and the San Luis Valley Weed Management Association staff will be consulted regarding any weed infestation areas and any control measures prior to the initiation of their removal. The plan does not contemplate total weed removal on the property. Past experience has shown that some initial weed cover in the first year following the retopsoiling is beneficial to the reclamation effort in rangeland sites. Weeds tend to provide shade for new grasses, are a means of holding snow on the seedbed longer, and protecting it from wind and water erosion until the planted species have taken hold. Throughout the year, during all phases of the peat mining operation and subsequent remediation, the permitted area will be monitored closely by the Operator to determine if any additional weeds have grown. If any new species of weeds are found,Alamosa County and the San Luis Valley Weed Management Association will be consulted in order to formulate the best plan for the new infestation. IMPORT OF MATERIAL: In the TR-1 from 2016,the previous Operator employed an"Import of Material"whereas the permitted area would accept waste concrete and asphalt, even some material from an illegal dumping site from across Meadowlake Boulevard to the northwest of the permitted area. It appears in the TR-1 that the previous Operator would accept material dumped from"outside"entities if a form was filled out assuring that"all materials brought to the site is inert and has no toxic or acid forming material above acceptable limits." MLI would like to continue to allow inert materials to be placed within the permitted areas in an effort for reclamation and filling mined areas back to original elevation. HOWEVER, MLI would like