2008-03-12_PERMIT FILE - C1981018A (8)

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List `B' species are more common and widespread. The main objective is to stop the continued spread of these species. The State has designated certain populations of these species to be eradicated and others to be managed by other standards. Since this part of the regulations is actively changing the requirements should be reviewed periodically to identify changes. List 'C' species are common and widespread. They include species such as downy brome (cheatgrass), halogeton, wmmon mullein, field bindweed, and perennial sowthistle. The goal of the Colorado's noxious weed management plans related to List 'C' are not to stop the continued spread of these species but to provide additional education, research, and biological control resources to jurisdictions that choose to require management of these species. It should be noted that the current noxious 'List' ranking convention runs counter to prior lists, thus, causing confusion when referencing prior discussions of noxious weeds in Colorado. BME weed management plan, as it pertains to noxious weeds, is to remain consistent with the rules as pertaining to the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. In addition, any noxious weed species, regardless of its 'List' classification, will be managed for eradication if it is new to and not well established in the area. Annual weeds also have the potential to adversely effect the establishment of permanent vegetation. Due to the dynamic nature of annual weeds the species dominating a site may change from one year to the next. Species observed recently include cheatgrass, tumble mustard, blue mustard, Russian thistle, kochia, and halogeton. The predominant annual weed at the Deserado Mine, both on reclaimed and undisturbed areas, is cheatgrass. Much of the native undisturbed land at and in the vicinity of the Deserado Mine is dominated by cheatgrass. It only receives light grazing by sheep during the winter. Thus, prevalence of cheatgrass reflects its profound adaptation to this environment ircespective of past or present grazing practices. Several management techniques are used to help control annual weeds. In instances where disturbances are short term, sites are disturbed and reclaimed in a short period of time, usually within the same year. This limits the opportunity for annual weeds to propagate and increase in density by producing seed. The first year of site establishment is generally markedly improved by decreasing the competition from annual weeds. Sites typically suitable for this practice include - drill sites and roads. However, many sites may still become inundated with cheatgrass as the original site and topsoil frequently contains a substantial seedbank of this weed. The prevalence of cheatgrass on the undisturbed native lands is a strong indication that further modifications to the vegetative community are necessary to help preclude this weed. Simply attempting to reestablish the prior native plant community only welcomes the reinvasion of this species. Use of introduced species is typically discouraged by the Division. However, given the circumstances and pervasiveness of the cheatgrass problem in the Western U.S. use of the more MR131 (5!2006) V-67