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• (Page 21 • MINE ID rY OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1984-025 1 INSPECTION DATE 10/30/00 INSPkCTOR'S INITIALS RCO OBSERVATIONS This partial inspection was performed by the Division as a result of a citizen complaint received qy this office regarding a possible infestation of aState-listed noxious weed: Black henbane IHyoscyamus nigerl. The oper~`tor was contacted about the inspection but was unable to be present for it. The required permit ID sign was noted as present at the entrance gate. The permit area consi is of a fenced 40-acre parcel; all boundaries of the permit are marked by fenceline las described in the Conversion CN- 1 file, 19991• The site has not changed significantly since last inspected, which was about the time of the las~ bond calculation. The current bond posted is felt to be sufficient. The most prominent feature of the site is the large stockpile of overburden or fines, which is loc led immediately inside (south ofl the entrance gate, and which has been there for many years. The entire site was surv ed for the resence of Black henbane. and it was positively identified around the disturbed areas of the oermit. (Then xious weed in question literally covers this old fines stockpile. It is clear how this infestation was observed, given the het ht of the pile, the white dead plant stalks, and the proximity to Highway 114.) The thickest patch of the weed was found on the large fines stockpile. Other thick infesiations~lso were found on the extreme south end of the topsoil stockpile which borders the west edge of the pit, and on small p rtions of the aggregate piles near the northeast corner of the pit. Thinly scattered areas of the weed were found t oughout much of the unexcavated but disturbed portions in the northwest quarter of the permit. It is estimated that abut 3 acres, of both thin and thick infestations, are currently on the site. There is evidence that there have been at leas[ growing seasons ("99 and "001 of the weed here. No occurrence of the weed was noted on any portions of the undisturbed permit area, on the pr (law mined area across the county road from this active pit, nor on adjoining unpermitted land. (Please be reminded, ho ever, that there was a small patch of thistle noted along a small drainageway in the undisturbed eastern part of the permi . This patch must also be monitored and treated as necessary.) Since the operator was not present during this inspection, but to assist him in identifying the plant~and where it occurs on the site, two items are attached to this report: illustrations and written description of the plant, and sketch notes on a permit area map depicting the locations of noted patches. At this time of year almost all onsite pla shave died and turned brown. Black henbane bleaches out nearly white, and stands in marked contrast to the other veget lion. The plants range from 1 to 2 feet tall, and have a much branched, bushy appearance. The closely-spaced flowers a seed capsules appear as shown in the attached illustrations. Th resence of this noxious weed on the site coverin such a lar a area is noted as a r b m under the to is of "reve elation." The fact that it also covers art of the to soil stock file re uires thatthe roblem Iso be noted under the to is of " o soil." The corrective action will be for the o erator to ob gin a noxious weed control an for all tar et weeds on this site rovide a co of the Ian to the Division accom anted b the written commitment t im lement the Ian at the first ro er season and as Ion as needed thereafter. The infests ions will be monitored Burin u comin ins ections to ensure that the are bein brou ht under control. Please see the last a e of this re ort for th correction date. The weed control Ian is to be written with the assistance of a ualified weed control authorit in the area. For assistance, please inquire at the office of the county weed program coordinator: Brad Jones, P. CO 81149; or the local office of the CSU Cooperative Extension or the USDA Natural Resources .Box 655, Saguache, Conservation Service. There is great potential for this plant to be spread to other land in the oermit area and to offsite a~eas, if it is neglected. annual report, received on 7/21 /2000. includes the old 110 oermit map. That map was actually so inaccurate that operator was found to be operating outside the permit boundary, for which the 1999 conversion was the req fired corrective action.