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play a crucial role in accelerating the establishment and growth of plants and vegetation • communities on reclaimed lands. WEED MANAGEMENT The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology, Mined Land Reclamation Boazd ("DMG") prepazed a Guideline (dated July 17, 1998) for the management of noxious and pest weeds on hard rock and construction materials mining operations. The DMG may require the operator to develop a Weed Control Plan if an infestation of noxious or pest weeds are present or if the local weed control agency recommends a plan during the public comment period. An integrated pest management plan ("IPM") approach for control of noxious and pest weeds has been very successful on mined lands in Colorado. An IPM considers the following: • Cultural Control-Prevention of unnecessary disturbance. Planting acceptable native plant species for site colonization; • Mechanical Control-Mowing, pulling, disking and plowing; • Biological Control-Introduction of insects or other biologic agents which are known to inhibit or prevent reproduction of noxious weed species. Biological controls will be coordinated with the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Insectory in Grand Juction or other knowledgeable agencies; and • Chemical Control-Application of appropriate herbicides by a licensed applicator. All herbicides will be applied in accordance with manufacturer's • recommendations and in accordance with Colorado state laws. During the reclamation process, placement of topsoil can result in a flush of annual plants that are "weedy" in their growth habits, even after seeding and mulching with certified weed-free hay. Primary invader species such as fanweed (thlaspi arvense), Russian thistle or tumbleweed (Salsola iberica) and Kochia (Kochia scoparia) are generally prevalent the first year or two afer initial seeding. Several papers document the effectiveness of these annual invader species as a cover crop and mulch to stabilize the reclaimed site (Day et al., 1979: and Day and Ludeke (1987). Field inspections performed at one and two-years after initial seeding usually observe increased shrub and forb germination at the base of senescent and dead tubleweeds. Since these weed species are almost always present after topsoiling, use of bazley or sterile Triticum may not be necessary as a cover crop or stubble mulch. Since they are primazy invaders on disturbed sites, they can not compete with the seeded species afer two or three years and become a minor or non-existent component in the reclamation. IRRIGATION The use of suitable soil materials for subsoil and topsoil reconstruction, the placement of water harvesting features throughout reclamation areas, and the use preferential use of native and introduced plant species adapted to the Red Rock Mine site will allow the germination and establishment of adequate vegetation covers on lands disturbed by proposed mining operations. • Appendix G 4 06/28/02