PERMFILE131846

• Permit No: M1977129
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 4/23/1998
• Doc Name: WEED CONTROL POLICY DRAFT
• From: BRUCE HUMPHRIES
• To: MLRB
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

iii iiiiiiiiniiiiii
STATE ~
OF
COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Depanmenl of Nawrai Resources
1313 Sherman 51., Roam 215 J

Denver, Colorado 80203 I~

Phone: [phone] I
FAX: [phone]
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Roy Ramer
Governor
lames 5 Lochhead
Execwiee Deeaor
Michael B Long
Dinsion Director
To: Mined Land Reclamation Board
From: Bruce Humphries
Subject: Weed Control Policy -DRAFT'
Date: April 23, 1998
Recently, there has been a heightened concern by some counties and the Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) offices over noxious weeds on mine sites undergoing
reclamation. The question for the Division is what is an acceptable level of weeds at an
active mining operation, or on a reclaimed site at the time of financial warranty release
request, in terms of the requirements of the Act, Rules, and bond release? The following
document is intended to provide the staff and operators guidance on this issue.
GUIDELINE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF NOXIOUS AND PEST WEEDS AT
HARD ROCX AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL MINING OPERATIONS
INTRODUCTION:
The infestation of noxious and pest weeds on agricultural land and rangeland is a
serious problem in Colorado and other western states. Reduced productivity, loss of
desirable plant species diversity, wildlife habitat, and livestock health hazards can result from
noxious or pest weed infestations. Land disturbances associated with mining provide
conditions conducive to the invasion and spread of a number of undesirable plant species.
This guide has been developed due to the potential deleterious impacts of noxious and pest
weeds on reclaimed areas and other aeeas that may be affected by mining activities, and the
lack of specific direction in the Act and Regulations. The purpose of the guideline is to set
forth Board policy based on the Board's interpretation of the Act, Regulations, and common
sense, for the effective control of noxious and pest weeds at permitted mine sites. It is also
intended to provide staff guidance as to when an operator has established an acceptable type
of plant cover so that the Office may consider financial and performance warranty release.