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United States Department of Agriculture o MRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service Alamosa Agricultural Service Center 2205 State Avenue Alamosa, Colorado 87101 ron.riggenbach @co. usda.gov 719-589-6432 - OfFlce 719-589-0613 -Fax 719-588-2917 -Cell 3/9/2005 Ron Bamer Alamosa, CO 81101 Dear Mr. Bamer: M~ -.. 7 q 2pOS 4~a~O uof Y9nc,~/s O}~~ ~ Cepf09y _ .Enclosed with this letter y_ou will find the see_ ding recomm_enciatio_n that we t_al_ked about for your gravel pit. We also discussed the issue of the Tall Whitetop infestation. The easiest way to control the spread of the Tall Whitetop is through mechanical methods. Since Tall Whitetop spreads not only by seed but also from shoots on the roots, mechanical disturbance of the plant roots and soil tends to only spread the plant and encourage more growth. The easiest treatment method, would be to let the plant grow up in the spring and then mow it before it sets seed. This will encourage the plant to use energy reserves to grow but will not allow it to set seed and spread. This will also hamper the spread from the roots of the plant since it will need to use energy reserves to re- grow rather than to sprout from the roots. Along with mowing the whitetop, it is also a good control practice to get other beneficial plants to grow and compete with the whitetop. This is where the attached grass seeding recommendation comes in. I have recommended using Crested Wheatgrass as 50 percent of the mix because it is a relatively quick growing, hardy plant. Over time the Crested Wheatgrass will die off leaving behind the more slowly growing native, Blue Grama which I have listed as 30 percent of the mix. I have also included a small amount of Four Wing Saltbush which is a native shrub that is used as food or cover for a variety of birds and wildlife. - The grass seeding reca:nrnendation is set up as a broadcast seeding and shc~.zld be done to try and catch the rainfall that we do receive in the San Luis Valley, usually in late July or early August. It would also not be a bad idea to pull a light drag or other item over the seed just after seeding to promote as much seed/soi] contact as possible. Be cazeful not to use anything lazge enough to cause major disturbance to the roots of the Tall Whitetop. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, ~~ ~~' ~~ Ronald Riggenbach District Conservationist The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer