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We may want to set aside a few thousand dollars to conduct ongoing weed <br />control at the site. This might also be used to assist with weed control at Arness- <br />McGriffen. <br />Arness-McGriffin -This site is heavily used (and misused) by local offroad vehicles and <br />shooters. Additional highwall reduction will not be possible without considerable <br />expenditure, and I do not believe a significant benefit can be achieved with the <br />small amount of money allotted to this project. The existing mine cut is not <br />easily accessed from the top, but the offroad vehicles have been scaling the cut <br />slope from the bottom for years. There is no reasonably available fill material to <br />conduct additional work. The cut material was spoiled to the steep slopes above <br />the Coal Gulch site located below the Arness-McGriffin area. Revegetation and <br />erosion control efforts have been repeatedly damaged by public use of the area <br />by offroad vehicles. <br />The road entering the area is now access to a State Wildlife Area which is located <br />uphill from the Arness-McGriffin site. Erosion is occumng along the road, and <br />the gullies do pose a safety hazard to the users of the road. The road is steep and <br />aggressive engineering work would be needed to improve the situation. Though <br />I am not sure which entity has the legal maintenance responsibility for the road, it <br />seems possible that maintenance may be more appropriately conducted by <br />Division of Wildlife. <br />Some small amount of money might be used to conduct ongoing weed <br />management. This could occur at the same time any weed work is conducted at <br />Coal Gulch. <br />In conclusion, if we are allowed flexibility in our use of the Severance Tax funds, then I believe <br />the monies are best spent at Hawk's Nest, Sunlight, GEC and Jewell. A small amount could <br />also be used for ongoing noxious weed management at Coal Gulch and Arness-McGriffin. Let <br />me know of your thoughts so that we can proceed with bidding the work as soon as possible. <br />Thanks for your help in reviewing this situation. <br />Cc: Jim McArdle <br />Dave Bucknam <br />M'\oss\jrc\revaked sims.doc <br />