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• <br />(Page 2) <br />MINE Iil # OR PROSPECTING ID # _M-91-035 <br />INSPECTION D:\TE October 21. 1997 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS TAS <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />1. A site inspection of the Conda/McKay pit was conducted in response to a complaint <br />recently recf:ived from Jim Lile of Jefferson County regarding a weed infestation of diffuse <br />knapweed at permitted mine sites north of Colorado State Highway 72 and west of the Rocky <br />Flats Technology Site. Present during the inspection were Martin Jones of Western <br />Aggregates, :Cnc. and Brian Burnett of Tabor Management Services. <br />2. Rule 3.1.10(6) of the Construction Materials Rules & Regulations specifies that "Methods <br />of weed control shall be employed for all prohibited noxious weed species, and whenever <br />invasion of a reclaimed area by other weed species seriously threatens the <br />continued development of the desired vegetation. Weed control methods shall also be used <br />whenever the inhabitation of the reclaimed area by weeds threaten further spread of serious <br />weed pests to nearby areas." <br />3. The site inspection revealed that there is an infestation of diffuse knapweed at the <br />Conda/McKay Pit, particularly along road corridors and near stockpile areas. Diffuse <br />knapweed is considered to be a noxious weed within the State of Colorado as defined by the <br />Colorado Noxious Weed Act 35-5.5-101 through 119, C.R.S.(1996 Supp.). <br />4. Review of the file for the Conda/McKay Pit indicates that the operator has incorporated <br />a noxious weed management plan into the mining and reclamation permit. However, there is no <br />weed management currently being applied at the pit due to a potential conflict with the <br />landowner, the United States Department of Energy. Mr. Jones and Mr. Burnett indicated that <br />Western Aggregates, Inc. is in the process of developing an integrated weed management plan <br />along with :several governmental agencies, the United States Department of Energy, and <br />adjacent landowners. The weed management plan will include treatment for diffuse knapweed <br />and other noxious weed species over a large area along Colorado Highway 93 that will <br />encompass they entire permit area for the Conda/McKay Pit. <br />5. The Division considers the infestation of diffuse knapweed at the Conda/McKay Pit to be <br />a problem thzit will require corrective actions by the operator in order to bring the site <br />into compliance with Rule 3.1.10(6). In order to address this problem, the Division requests <br />that Western Aggregates, Inc. take reasonable measures during the 1998 field season to begin <br />elimination of diffuse knapweed at the Conda/McKay Pit. Please see page 4 for specific <br />corrective actions. <br />