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VI. Weed Management Considerations <br />This section was included to assist mine operators with developing a noxious weed <br />management plan and implementing noxious weed control practices on permitted lands. It <br />is not meant to be used as the single source for noxious weed control. Local sources such <br />as county extension agents, weed district supervisors or the Soil Conservation Service <br />should be consulted when developing and implementing a weed management plan. <br />Noxious weeds are designated as such because they aze very difficult to control and <br />generally are aggressive invaders of disturbed and sometimes undisturbed lands. They aze <br />usually perennial or biennial and often reproduce by rhizomes as well as seed. Due to their <br />persistence and aggressive nature, this guideline for reclaimed lands will reduce the <br />possibility of these lands being infested by and contributing to the spread of noxious weeds. <br />This guide is written with a broad spectrum of weed infestations and control situations in <br />mind. Almost all situations are unique in that they can present different combinations of <br />problems associated with the type, size, and location of weed infestations. Some examples <br />of this are perennial versus biennial, broadleaf versus grasses, noxious weeds interspersed <br />with desirable vegetation, large patches requiring broadcast applications, or small patches <br />requiring spot treatment, infestations located near bodies of water, infestations located near <br />desirable plant species, infestations located on topsoil piles, or on rough, steep, or nearly <br />inaccessible terrain. <br />The narrative following is divided into three sections: <br />A. Developing a workable plan; <br />B. Types of control measures; and <br />C. Control measures for selected weed species and locations. <br />A. Developing a Workable Management Plan <br />There are many things to consider when developing a weed management plan. This section <br />discusses some options that will help to prevent costly mistakes and aid mine operators in <br />developing a successful program. <br />Probably the most important step to take when developing a management plan is to <br />inventory all the noxious weed species on site. This includes positive identification of <br />noxious weed species, accurate estimation of infestation size, and detailed location <br />information. The importance of this cannot be over-emphasized. Knowing exactly what <br />species are on site is paramount in choosing the right control methods and developing a <br />strategy for control. In conjunction with this the weed infestations should be mapped in <br />sufficient detail to locate for treatment and monitoring purposes. Mapping details the <br />location of infestations, alerting you to potential problems which may be encountered when <br />control measures are implemented. Mapping may eliminate certain control measures before <br />implementation, by virtue of location. Mapping also assists in estimating the acres of <br />-6- <br />