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UNITED STATES SOIL P. O. BOX 837 <br />DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION MEEKER <br />AGRICULTURE SERVICE COLORADO 81641 <br />September 11, 1990 <br />Mr. Greg Lewicki <br />1645 Court Place, Suite 309 <br />Denver, CO 80202 <br />Dear Greg; <br />Fallowing are recommendations and concerns about the <br />reclamation activities at the Reneau Mines near Meeker. <br />1. These reclamation sites are located in the Nine Mile <br />area which has a severe problem of the noxious weed Leafy Spurge. <br />The Nine Mile area is a high priority treatment area, designated <br />by Rio Blanco County. This year, as well as in the past, the <br />County Weed Department has implemented special project treatments <br />of this area to control the spread of Leafy Spurge. <br />I believe that it is essential that your company continue <br />treating your reclamation sites to adequately control Leafy <br />Spurge as you have been. Unfortunately this will eliminate the <br />opportunity to return these sites to a pre mining vegetative <br />condition, as the establishment of native forb and shrub species <br />will be limited. <br />I feel that in light of this severe weed situation, that the <br />reclamation plan for these sites be amended to permit continued <br />herbicide treatment and drop the requirement for establishment of <br />native shrub and fortis. The relatively small size of these three <br />61te6 will permit native species to become established where <br />herbicide control efforts are not necessary. <br />2. The Meeker area has experienced three years of drought <br />conditions (1988-90). The establishment and production of the <br />planted grass species have been effected by the dry conditions. <br />Sufficient plants have been established on these sites that upon <br />returning to normal precipitation conditions, should be capable <br />of developing adequate ground cover to protect the site. <br />Grass seed production has been limited due to the drought <br />and also possibly effected by the herbicide treatment necessary <br />for weed control. Previously in the Meeker area a study has been <br />conducted which documents that the use of 2,4-D and Banvel can <br />reduce the production of viable grass seed and may have some <br />effect upon the annual production of the grass forage. This may <br />explain why parts of the reclamation sites show a marked <br />difference. The steeper slopes in combination with the drought <br />has likely effected the grass as well. <br />. 3. Wildlife have had some effect upon these three small <br />reclamation sites. The recently planted and fertilized forage <br />will definitely attract wildlife because of the generally higher <br />R~-~ gi,~I% r~~~T <br />