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III. Operator Responsibility for Management of Noxious Weeds <br />During Operations and Reclamation <br />It is the responsibility of the operator to monitor disturbed azeas for noxious weed <br />infestations. Weed control measures should be implemented whenever infestations of any <br />of the noxious weed species listed occur on disturbed or reclaimed areas within the permit <br />azea (see Section V). Noxious weed management plans, although not required, are highly <br />encouraged. Management plans should be developed in consultation with the appropriate <br />state or county extension personnel or weed control district officials listed in Section VI. <br />Once developed, the plans should then became part of [he approved permit. <br />Weed management plans should be implemented in the first appropriate season following <br />approval of the plan. Management plans should include appropriate cultural, mechanical or <br />physical, biological or herbicidal control methods. In some cases, only one control method <br />may be warranted, while in other cases a combination of control methods may be <br />appropriate. Control methods selected will be dependent on the species of concern and the <br />location and extent of the infestation. Disturbed and reclaimed areas should be surveyed on <br />an annual basis in order to detect any new infestations and monitor the response of <br />previously treated infestations. If results of the survey dictate a modification to the existing <br />plan is necessary, an appropriate minor revision approval should be obtained prior to March <br />31 of each year. Management plans will need to include a map or narrative which describes <br />accurately the location and azeal extent of any infestations and a narrative which details the <br />nature and status of each infestation. Specific treatment and monitoring methodologies and <br />timetables should be developed, based on the species of concern, the location and extent of <br />the infestation(s), and other pertinent factors. Certain noxious weed species, notably leafy <br />spurge and the knapweeds, spread very rapidly after initial colonization, and operators are <br />strongly encouraged to initiate appropriate control measures as soon as possible if even one <br />individual plant is observed on an affected area. <br />The Division may take an enforcement action using a combination of the above cited rules <br />iE <br />(1) the Division determines that an operator has not met the commitments of an <br />approved weed management plan or shown good faith in implementing that plan; or <br />(2) if no plan is in place, once identified, the Division determines a noxious weed <br />infestation displays an increasing trend, due to a lack of effort by the operator to <br />control the infestation. <br />For the purposes of this guideline, infestation is not defined. However, the following <br />indicators of a possible infestation will serve as a guide to the inspector that a noxious weed <br />problem may exist in a given area. <br />(1) Relative cover contribution of one noxious weed species or a combination of <br />noxious weed species exceeds three percent in a revegetated stand (a parcel of <br />reclaimed land initially reseeded during the same season and year); or <br />-3- <br />