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Across the river from this area is the notable Pueblo Nature Center and the river trail used by <br />hikers and bicyclists. The Nature Center is an excellent educational and recreation facility for Pueblo <br />with museums, interpretive exhibits, and even a small astronomical observatory on the hill overlooking <br />the Nature Center. There are many thoughts that the Nature Center and the lakes and surrounding lands <br />included in this release request can be linked to create one, large wildlife refuge and controlled <br />recreational center for the entire Pueblo area. With its proximity to Lake Pueblo, the Division of <br />Wildlife area, the improved fisheries habitats, and the river trail it is clear that the land included in this <br />release request will be incorporated in one fashion or another into the larger picture for this azea. The <br />lakes and lands of the Pueblo West Pit are a logical addition to already developed and rapidly <br />improving ripazian corridor recreation and wildlife area that extends from Lake Pueblo almost <br />completely through the City of Pueblo. Private donations to the overall project are considerable as more <br />and more people see the value of this corridor in making Pueblo an even more attractive place to live. <br />Condition of the Land in the Request Area: All but two of the lakes in this area have already been <br />released. The remaining two lakes could not be released previously because they were being used as <br />part of the mining operation. Now that the mining operation is completed, these lakes are no longer <br />used. The shoreline of the lakes is primarily occupied by rich wetland habitats. <br />The land where the stockpiles and processing plant were located has been fully graded and will <br />likely become parking or other facilities associated with the wildlife/recreation area. Drainage slopes <br />leading from this area into one of the unreleased lakes have been graded and seeded and this, in <br />combination with natural invasion of trees and shrubs, will render this area stable. <br />All other lands haue been fully graded. Revegetation has been attempted three times on one <br />area and twice on the remainder. But only moderate success has been achieved. The prolonged drought <br />in combination with saline and somewhat sodic soils have limited the success in the revegetation. In <br />addition, the usual and severe infestation with tumble weeds has locally created intense competition in <br />a severely moisture limited growth environment. Even mulches did not help with this problem. Where <br />seeding was successful, the grass growth is very good for such a severely limiting environment, but the <br />drier areas have not had such good fortune. Nevertheless, Colorado State Parks desires to accept the <br />land in its current condition. <br />The noxious weed problem, although not severe, is present. These weeds include Tamazix, <br />F.ussian Olive, and local stands of Whitetop. The Whitetop has been treated with herbicides and the <br />population has been reduced to some extent, but more needs to be done. Most of [he Tamazix and <br />Kussian Olive that State Parks desired to have removed have been removed, but some additional work <br />maybe needed in this regazd. The land, being basically level, shows no effects from erosion in rills or <br />Appeal of Denial -Pueblo West Pit M-1977-573 mailed: September 30, 2004 Page 2 of 3 <br />