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Grazing Management: Because there has been a long history of overgrazing on this land it seems important to correct that situation before conditions become even worse. There should be implemented a much tighter control over the number of cattle allowed to graze this land. The amount of grazing should be much more closely tied to the carrying capacity of the rangeland. Riparian Land Protection from Grazing: Although it would be expensive, the riparian corridor should be completely fenced to control grazing in the cottonwood forests in particular. But high quality natural and restored wetlands, with or without woody vegetation present, should also be protected from grazing. The presence of healthy wetland vegetation in the actual streambed can considerably improve water quality downstream as well as help attenuate peak flows after large storms. Grazing should not be allowed at times when reproduction and major growth advances are occurring in the riparian zones. Because it may be necessary to still permit cattle to move back and forth across Coal Creek to reach rangeland, designated corridors should be established that allow crossings to occur at locations where the least damage will occur. Future Mining of the Streambed: Although future mining of the streambed should not be prohibited, it should stay well away from riparian forests and should be designed to take advantage of clay seams in the deposit so as to improve the extent of the herbaceous wetland vegetation along the stream channel. The more of this herbaceous wetland vegetation that can be established in the stream the more all the herbaceous wetland vegetation will be protected from burial by sediment. Furthermore, these herbaceous wetland units can help attenuate the moisture curve in the groundwater so the peaks and valleys in the curve are less pronounced. These units, if protected from grazing, will also encourage the establishment of more cottonwood forest along the stream as well as willow growth in the channel itself. Weed Management: Although a number of noxious weeds can be found throughout this area, particularly near the riparian corridor, most are of only localized significance. Unfortunately, leafy spurge, a particularly aggressive weed, is abundant throughout the area and has even invaded the drier rangeland away from the stream corridor. This species probably also occurs in abundance downstream from this area (to the north of Quincy Avenue) and elsewhere on the Lowry Range Property. It is highly recommended that an aggressive control program be implemented to reduce the presence of this and other noxious weed species. It is unlikely eradication will ever be achieved, but if the weeds can be reduced by even 50% much of the natural vegetation will improve. It is recommended that a well designed adaptive weed management plan be implemented and that plan should have as its goal an 80% Coal Creek Wetlands and Wetland Mitigation DA Permit 198811488 August 2003 Page 22 of 23