INSPEC19216

• Permit No: M1988108
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 10/21/1997
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• (Page 2) •
MINE ID # OR PROSPECTING ID # M-88-108
INSPECTION DATE October 21. 1997
OBSERVATIONS
INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS
I. A site inspection of the Lightweight Aggregate Mine & Plant was conducted in response to
a complaint recently received from Jim Lile of Jefferson County regarding a weed infestation
of Diffuse Knapweed at permitted mine sites north of Colorado State Highway 72 and west of
the Rocky Flits Technology Site. Present during the inspection were Martin Jones of Western
Aggregates, Inc. and Brian Burnett of Tabor Management Services.
2. Rule 3.1.10(6) of the Construction Materials Rules & Regulations specifies that "Methods
of weed control shall be employed for all prohibited noxious weed species, and whenever
invasion of` a reclaimed area by other weed species seriously threatens the
continued development of the desired vegetation. Weed control methods shall also be used
whenever the inhabitation of the reclaimed area by weeds threaten further spread of serious
weed pests to nearby areas."
3. The site inspection revealed that there are several infestations of diffuse knapweed at
the Lightweight Aggregate Mine & Plant, particularly along haul roads and stockpile areas.
Diffuse knapweed is considered to be a noxious weed within the State of Colorado as defined
by the Colo r.ado Noxious Weed Act 35-5.5-101 through 119, C.R.S.(1996 Supp.) The operator
has begun a program of chemical control for diffuse knapweed in reclaimed areas west of
Highway 93 acid has achieved reasonable success. The operator has not begun weed control for
diffuse knapweed on permitted acreage east of Highway 93 due to potential conflicts with the
landowner, t:he United States Department of Energy.
4. Review o:_ the permit file for the Lightweight Aggregate Mine & Plant indicates that the
operator wi1:L develop and implement a weed control program during reclamation, if necessary.
Neither the mining nor the reclamation plan include specific provisions for control of
existing noxious weed species. Both Mr. Jones and Mr. Burnett indicated that Western
Aggregates, Inc. is in the process of developing an integrated weed management plan along
with several governmental agencies and adjacent landowners. The weed management plan will
include treatment for diffuse knapweed and other noxious weed species over a large area along
Colorado Highway 93 that will encompass the entire permit area for the Lightweight Aggregate
Mine & Plant.
5. The Division considers the infestation of diffuse knapweed at the Lightweight Aggregate
Mine & Plant to be a problem that will require corrective actions by the operator in order
to bring the site into compliance with Rule 3.1.10(6). In order to address this problem, the
Division rec.(uests that Western Aggregates, Inc. submit an application for a technical
revision to the permit which addresses control of existing noxious weed species. The
revision application should consist of a weed management plan for diffuse knapweed and any
other noxious weeds at the site. The weed management plan should include a map showing the
locations anti/or extent of current weed infestations, a description of control methods to be
applied, a list of other landowners and/or governmental agencies cooperating in the weed
management p:_an, a schedule for implementation of control methods, and a monitoring program
for evaluating the success of the various control methods. The Division encourages the
operator to implement a weed management plan that minimizes the potential for spread of
noxious weeds outside the existing permit boundary and maximizes the potential for
revegetation success on lands to be reclaimed. The Division also requests that the operator
take reasonable measures to begin elimination of diffuse knapweed and any other noxious