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<br /> <br />(Page 21 <br /> <br />MINE ID >Y OR PROSPECTING ID # M-1992-017 <br />INSPECTIOIV DATE 12/18/00 INSPECTOR'S INITIALS WHE <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This inspection of the BLM/West End Pit occurred in accordance with DMG policy for monitoring permitted <br />sites. They operator was contacted prior to the inspection and informed of the scheduled inspection. The <br />BLM/West End Pit is located approximately 1.6 miles SW of Nucla. The permit is approved for 149.4 acres <br />affected area of which approximately 139.4 acres are located on lands owned by Montrose County and <br />approximately 10 acres located on federal lands, administered by the BLM Uncompahgre Basin Resource Area. <br />The vegetative cover for the large topsoil stockpile located along the west side of Phase 1 b consisted of <br />Rubber rabbitbrush and Russian knapweed. Russian knapweed is a tenaciously competitive and prohibited <br />noxious weed which is resistant to many methods of weed control. Rule 3.1.9(1) requires that the operator <br />establish a protective vegetative cover for salvaged topsoil which will remain stockpiled for periods exceeding <br />one year. The size and maturity of the Rubber rabbitbrush indicates that the topsoil stockpile has existed for <br />periods exceeding one year. However, the operator has not established an appropriate vegetative cover <br />sufficient to protect the topsoil from deterioration and contamination by the knapweed. Compliance with Rule <br />3.1.9(11 benefits reclamation efforts not only by minimizing deterioration of the quantity and quality of the <br />topsoil, but also due to the seed crop produced by the vegetative cover and present in the topsoil. Failure to <br />eliminate the knapweed from the topsoil stockpile may result in noxious weed seeds being distributed <br />throughout reclaimed areas during topsoil redistribution. <br />Knapweed was also well established throughout disturbed portions of the Phase 1b area. Rule 3.1.1016) <br />requires the operator to employ weed control methods for all prohibited noxious weed species, and whenever <br />invasion of a reclaimed area by other weed species seriously threatens the continued development of the <br />desired vegetation. Weed control methods shall also be used whenever the inhabitation of the reclaimed area <br />by weeds threaten further spread of serious weed pests to nearby areas. Additionally, the operator has <br />committed to weed control methods under Exhibit E of the permit application. <br />DMG is reviewing a technical revision for all Montrose County gravel pits, addressing weed control. Pursuant <br />to the enclosed DMG Weed Control Policy, the operator may be given up to three years to show significant <br />progress toward correcting the situation prior to a Board action. <br />Response:; to this inspection report should be directed to the Division of Minerals and Geology, 701 Camino <br />del Rio, Room 125, Durango, Colorado 81301, Attn: Wally Erickson, phone no. 970-247-5469. <br />I & E Contact Address <br />NAME <br />OPERATOR <br />STREET <br />CITY/STATE/ZIP <br />Brian Wilson <br />Montrose Countv <br />P.O. Box 1289 <br />Montrose. CO 81402 <br />cc: Tom Gillis, DMG <br />^ CE <br />X BLM, Lynn Lewis <br />^ FS <br />^ HW <br />^ HMWMD ICHI <br />^ SE <br />^ WOCD ICHI <br />^ OTHER <br />