Laserfiche WebLink
07/27!2004 14:25 3037788937 SW ECOLOGICAL PAGE 04 <br />Weed Control Plan <br />Pueblo West Pit <br />Continental Materials <br />(Transit Mi!x of Pneblo) <br />Permit M-1977-573 <br />July 27, 2004 <br />Background: This weed control plan was required after an inspection conducted by Berhan Keffelew. <br />The inspection was W consider releases for portions of this permitted site. !t was found that although the <br />reclamation'plan contained various warcling that addressed weeds that wording did not constitute a forma! <br />weed control plan attd did not address some weeds that are present on the site, This weed control plan <br />updates that,requiretrtentuttbe permit. <br />Weeds Present on the Site: A few noxious weeds and a few non-noxious weeds are present on this site. <br />The weed of most concern is Hoary cress, also known as whitetop (Cardaria draba). Also present, but of <br />somewhat less crnlcet-u is the ubiquitotu species of Tamarix and Russian Olive. In a few locations very <br />small stands of Canada Thistle can be found but tMs species appears to be quite spm•se and not showing <br />uuich.sign_4flticreasinp siaaifican~. The two most txoublesomeaon-noxious species are iCocEtia and <br />Russiari'Fhistle,borh of which are cotnttrort nunblewerds that can preser~rop !erns ifgr~wingatvery high <br />dettsities in favorable sites. <br />Weed Controls: As ltas occurred in the past, spraying whitetop will continue. Significant reductions have <br />already been achieved, but this species, in favorable sites, still shows a strong presence, although less <br />cmnmon titan it was formerly. The primary reductim~s have occurred with populations that are living near <br />the liixtits o~ the species' tolerance crave. Populations in highly favorable sites have been reduced slightly, <br />bat more work is needed to reduce the populations further. <br />Tarna•ix is well established along the perimeter of the lakes attd some cutting has occurred The <br />population of this species will be reduced by mechanical means, prirnarily cutting. <br />Russiau Olive is also common in much of the 9auu habitat as the Tamarix. These two are often <br />found growing next to each other. Control methods are the same for this species as for Tamar, but <br />generally cutting is a bit more effective with Russian Olive than with Tamarix. <br />Tumbleweeds tettd to be locally abundant in revegptatirni areas, particularly where the soils are <br />somewhat salineand/or slightly sodic of alkaline, lvlodexate density populations of these species can often <br />be of benefit to revegetation by acting as a kind of cover crpp, but high density populations usually prohibit <br />the establishment of more desirable growth. It is generally a judgement call as to whether control is <br />required and that judgement depends on many factars. When control is implemented it is done by mowing. <br />Often two tnowings are needed for populations on very favorable sites, but high density populations on less <br />favorable sites are often killed by one spring mowing. Eventually the population declines if the soil is not <br />re-disturticd or sufrcient mowing is done to reduce seed production to a low Ievel. These species tend to <br />bane seed dormancy periods of one to four years and if seed production can be reduced for a few years in a <br />row the prominence of these species can be reduced Also, redisturbance of the soil tends to "reset rho <br />clock" and often generates strong growths of these species for a couple of yeazs, <br /> <br />Weed Control Plan Pueblo West Pit M-1977.573 07/27/04 Page 1 of 2 pages <br />