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and the "footprint" area reclaimed. These facilities, which are explicitly addressed in the reclamation plan, comprise a relatively small percentage of the subject area. The remainder of the area appears, from site observation, to have been disturbed at some point in recent decades, but the area has since been colonized by rabbitbrush, greasewood, and tamarisk, with minimal herbaceous understory in most areas. Dense tamarisk stands occur immediately adjacent to the reclaimed conveyor corridor, and to the east of the conveyor corridor, It is possible that the area was utilized as a staging area for construction of the conveyor, but the nature and time frame of disturbance is not addressed in the permit. Please review the aerial photo documentation you have on file, and other pertinent documentation, and provide clarification regarding the time frame of initial disturbance to the subject area, and the nature and approximate dates of use, associated with mine related activity. If it is determined that the area in question was disturbed or used in association with mine related activities subsequent to August 3, 7977, the reclamation plan narrative and reclamation schedule will need to be amended to address the timing and extent of reclamation activity to be implemented. At a minimum, tamarisk control may be warranted, as well as reseeding in tamarisk control areas and interseeding in other locations to enhance. diversity.,and to establish. a perennial herbaceous vegetation component. 3. ..:.The presence of tamarisk (an invasive noxious woody plant), within and.adjacent.to various disturbed areas, was described in the Division's December 2004 inspection report. -The following paragraph is from that inspection report. There are high densities of tamarisk along the Colorado River and smaller pockets of the species in the vicinity of other water sources in the permit area, including UTL and South Portal sediment ponds, seeps near the South PoRals, fhe lower section of the North Decline channel, and various other locations:. Tamarisk is an invasive woody plant adapted to riparian zones. It is likely that there will be ,tamarisk invasion into the recently reclaimed conveyor corridor, and into. portions of . the rail loop when that area is reclaimed. It is recommended that the operator contact Mesa County Pest Control for tamarisk condo!/management recommendations, and initiate a tamarisk contro/ program on disturbed and reclaimed areas, to prevent infestations from becoming established on reclaimed areas that are a1 risk of invasion. Please submit a revision application that includes an amended noxious weed control plan, incorporating appropriate mechanical and chemical measures for controlling tamarisk on permit area disturbed and reclaimed areas. Revegetation Evaluation - 2004 The vegetation sampling was conducted in conformance with permit requirements; sampling approaches and techniques were clearly documented, objective, and statistically valid. The report, prepared by Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar Creek), was thorough, professional, and informative, Cattle grazing prior to sampling in the South Fan and 2 West Portal areas likely reduced the perennial grass cover component significantly. Dryer than normal growing seasons in recent years, combined with repeated close grazing of the seeded stands (as noted in past inspection reports and referenced in the Cedar Creek report) may lead to loss of the grass 2