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~ ~~ <br />Mountain View Gravel Pit <br />Noxious Weed Management Plan <br />I. Introduction <br />The Mountain View Gravel Pit is owned and operated by Crested Butte. The area is no <br />longer excavated; however, the pit is still used for stockpiling and storing top soil and <br />gravel. <br />Ground disturbances associated with gravel mining creates desirable habitat for noxious <br />weeds. There are County and/or State listed noxious weeds growing in and around the <br />gravel pit. <br />Noxious weeds are non-native plant species which have been introduced into an <br />environment with few, if any, natural biological controls, thus giving them a distinct <br />competitive advantage in dominating and crowding out native plant species. They are <br />aggressive, spread rapidly, possess a unique ability to reproduce profusely, and resist <br />control. Noxious weeds, such as Canada thistle, yellow toadflax, scentless chamomile <br />and oxeye daisy adversely impact disturbed land by reducing aesthetic value, choking out <br />native vegetation, invading agricultural areas, decreasing property value, threatening <br />valuable wildlife habitat and other natural resources. <br />A. Description of land and current use(s) <br />The pit, located south of the school, is currently used for stockpiling and storing top soil <br />and gravel. Adjacent to the gravel pit on the east is a wetland. The west side of the pit is <br />actually a slope associated with Highway 135. The slope is very steep and is eroding. It <br />is imperative to stabilize the slope to prevent further erosion. <br />B. Future plans for the land <br />When there is no longer a need for the gravel storage area it will be revegetated. The <br />town will be building a skating arena in the near vicinity so revegetation will stabilize the <br />soil, prevent weed infestations and provide an aesthetically pleasing area for the <br />community. The area will be monitored for noxious weeds for at least three years <br />following reclamation. <br />II. Authority <br />This plan complies with the requirements set forth by the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, <br />the Upper Gunnison Watershed Weed Management Plan, Gunnison County Planning <br />Commission and the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG). <br />