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- control knapweed in the riparian zone, at least until new vegetation gets started. <br /> - successfully establish at least as many trees or shrubs in the remaining riparian zone <br /> as were removed by mining in the 250-600' zone. This will likely mean planting at a <br />• greater than 1:1 ratio. <br /> The goal, of course, is to allow a reasonable amount of mining to take place by ending up with <br /> a narrower but much higher quality riparian zone. <br />• On the west side of the property the zone of riparian vegetation on the east bank of the South <br /> Platte is much narrower and is bordered by a berm just off the river bank. Irrigated fields <br /> encroach almost up to the edge of the berm. In this area, we don't feel that a 400 foot buffer <br /> is necessary or realistic. We suggest a buffer zone extending only 100 feet east of the existing <br /> berm, which would result in a total buffer of only about 150 feet from the river's edge. If this <br /> • results in bank protection work being needed along the South Platte in this area, we suggest that <br /> as much "biostabilization" type techniques as possible be used to maximize the amount of <br /> vegetation along the stream bank. If you choose to go with the 400' setback here that would be <br /> fine also. In either case, we suggest re-vegetation of the buffer strip with appropriate native <br /> grasses, trees, or shrubs. <br /> • <br /> 2) Maintain the good habitat along Bull Seep - Apparantty the plan is to mine on both sides <br /> of Bull Seep but to leave it in place. The two concerns here are: <br /> - how wide of a corridor containing Bull Seep will be left in place? <br /> • - will miring activity nearby have detrimental effects on either the water level in Bull <br /> Seep or the vegetation along it? <br /> We suggest that an un-mined and undisturbed buffer zone 50' wide on either side of Bull Seep <br /> • be left in place. This is already a narrow corridor, and while there is no practical way to <br /> mitigate the effects of mining the nearby vicinity, this width of corridor should allow much of <br /> the habitat value of Bull Seep to remain. With regard to the second concern, it is important that <br /> nearby mining not result in Bull Seep drying up through increased infiltration or in excess <br /> removal of vegetation along it during mining. <br /> • 3) Wetland/Tree Complex -This complex just west of Bull Seep does have good wildlife value. <br /> If it could be left in place that would be fine. If the desire is to remove it by mining, we <br /> suggest mitigating it's loss through additional tree/shrub planting in the Bull Seep buffer zone <br /> and/or in the buffer zone along the berm at the west side of the property. We can discuss <br /> appropriate numbers of plants to be established for reasonable mitigation when the planning <br /> • becomes more specific. We suggest that larger trees which must be removed at this or other <br /> parts of the mine site be dragged over to the riparian zone along the South Platte River and left <br /> in the outer edge of the zone. They will provide good cover for small mammals as well as <br /> perches for birds. <br /> • 4) Scattered Small Habitat Areas - If the area is reclaimed as a water storaqe reservoir, we <br /> • <br />