REV97806 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ReveQetntioa• 3) Rule 2.05.4(2)(e)(v) requires a description of "irrigation, if appropriate, and pest and disease control measures, if any. Various sections of the permit application indicate that the lower portion of the reclaimed area below the terraces were seeded with an irrigated hayland mix and would be managed as irrigated cropland. However, there is no discussion of proposed irrigation and cropping management for the area, and during a recent inspection, the area was not being irrigated and had apparently not been irrigated this spring. Page 4-57 of the application indicates that "the operator initially planned to irrigate the dryland area late in 1995 to assist in vegetation establishment "' but, because of the wet spring, the site was not irrigated. The application should be amended to address irrigation of the designated irrigated hayland below the terraces and the Vulcan Ditch System. 4) During a recent site visit, patches of several noxious weed species, including Russian knapweed, field bindweed, Canadian thistle, and whitetop were observed on the reclaimed area, most noticeably on the irrigated cropland portion of the reclamation. Such species are incompatible with the postmining land use, and the application should be amended to include a noxious weed control plan. 5) Rule 4.15.5(1) states that "livestock grazing must not commence until one year after seeding or planting and shall be managed to promote the postmining land use." On page 4-60, the permit application states that "grazing will not be allowed until one year after seeding, and will be managed to promote the postmining land use..." On page 4-60, the application describes a perimeter fence, "which will be kept in place for 3 years, or until grazing pressure can be tolerated." During a recent inspection,between 36 and 50 cow/calf pairs had apparently been grazing on the fenced reclaimed area for at least 5 weeks. The area showing the heaviest grazing use was the relatively flat "irrigated hayland" portion of the reclaimed area, with even the noxious weed species grazed. It seems questionable whether such heavy growing season grazing during the second year after seeding is "promoting the postmining land use", particularly with respect to the irrigated hayland acreage.