|
LI
<br />CHAPTERFOUR Environmental consequences
<br />toadflax and others (Table 3.7-2), which would compete with native species and result in a
<br />deterioration of ecological conditions. Under some circumstances, noxious weeds could be
<br />numerous enough to interfere with revegetation or could invade natural vegetation and
<br />agricultural lands outside the disturbed azea.
<br />Several project activities would help to control the spread of noxious weeds, including
<br />revegetation, use of weed-free seed, noxious weed inventories conducted prior to disturbance,
<br />' cleaning of equipment before entering the Project Area, noxious weed training for employees,
<br />and implementation of a weed control and eradication program as detailed in The Plan (Water
<br />and Earth Technologies, Inc., and Habitat Management, Inc, ] 998). Additionally, Rio Blanco
<br />County and Gazfield County Special Use Permits would require the control of noxious weeds.
<br />Under the Colorado Weed Management Act, landowners are required to control noxious weeds
<br />' on lands under their control. If this is not done, county weed boards would have the authority to
<br />enter private lands and perform control measures at American Soda's expense, after notification
<br />and a heazing. Given the legal requirement for weed control, a regulatory mechaztism that
<br />' ensures compliance, and American Soda's commitment to monitor and control noxious weeds,
<br />significant impacts from the spread of noxious weeds would be unlikely.
<br />Revegetation
<br />The Proposed Action includes reclamation of disturbed azeas, either immediately after
<br />construction (e.g., pipeline corridor and construction zone disturbance azound permanent
<br />facilities) or at the conclusion of project operations. Disturbed lands would be revegetated to
<br />BLM specifications with the goals of replacing suitable wildlife habitat and browse and
<br />' providing a vegetative cover that stabilizes soils to control erosion and sedimentation.
<br />Typical seed mixtures presented in American Soda's reclamation plan were developed to fit the
<br />' environmental conditions of the site, writh an emphasis on the use of native species in permanent
<br />seed mixtures. Species were selected based on erosion control, forage production, elevations,
<br />aspect, slope, soils, existing native vegetation communities, and compatibility with other species.
<br />' These or similaz BLM-approved seed mixtures would be used on all disturbed lands. Seeding
<br />would be done in either the fall or the spring. Salvage and replacement of topsoil would aid in
<br />revegetation by preserving and replacing existing seed banks and by returning organic matter
<br />' needed for seed establishment to the soil. Erosion controls would be used as needed until
<br />vegetation became established. Appropriate seedbed preparation would be needed, possibly
<br />including ripping, pitting, or use of mulch to increase the percentage of soil organic material.
<br />Soil amendments, particulazly nitrogen, would be added, as needed. Routine inspections,
<br />maintenance, and replanting, as needed, would continue until satisfactory revegetation is
<br />accomplished as determined by BLM. The time span for achieving successful reclamation is
<br />expected to be 3 to 5 yeazs.
<br />Unsuccessful revegetation would be a potential impact. Removal of vegetation would be
<br />considered significant if disturbed areas did not have adequate cover, diversity, and composition
<br />to support pre-existing land uses, including use as wildlife habitat, after reclamation.
<br />As described in Section 3.7, environmental conditions in the Project Area may make revegetation
<br />difficult. They include tow precipitation, high evaporation, high erosion potential, shallow soils
<br />' Vegetation 4-41
<br />
|