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1. INTRODUCTION <br />All Rite Paving & Redi-Mix, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Operator) is operating a <br />sand and gravel pit, or multiple pits, in a project containing 142 acres north of the <br />river. This site is located north of the Arkansas River in Otero County, Colorado. The <br />legal description includes parts of Section 36, Township 24 South, Range 55 West and <br />Section 1, Township 24S, Range 55 West. It includes portions of the NE 1/4 and the SE <br />1/4 of Section 36 and a portion of the NE 1/4 of Section 1. A lat/long coordinate at the <br />current entry gate off of Highway 194 is: 37.991760 and 103.511250. <br />The site has been an active pit in previous years and will continue to be active in the <br />future. The southwestern section of the permit area is a wetland where tamarisk has <br />invaded and increased over recent years. The northern portion, encompassing <br />approximately 100 acres of the property, was farmed in the past, but is not in <br />production at this time. Bindweed and kochia have infested this portion of the permit <br />area. Russian knapweed and Canada thistle have invaded the project area, but <br />currently have small populations. <br />Recognizing the presence of state-listed and county-listed noxious weeds in parts of <br />this project area, as well as in the general vicinity of this project area; and <br />understanding the destructive nature of these noxious weeds, the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety has required the operator to develop and implement a <br />weed management plan encompassing the project area north of the river, <br />approximately 142 acres. <br />The CSU Extension office operates under a cooperative agreement with the Otero <br />County government, and provides technical assistance regarding noxious weed <br />management on public and private lands within the county. As such, this office is the <br />locally recognized source for weed management expertise and is qualified to assist All <br />Rite Paving & Redi-Mix, Inc. in meeting the requirements related to weed <br />management. <br />A. Description and purpose of the management area <br />Mining operations, road construction, building and equipment pads, vehicle traffic <br />(including heavy equipment) and other activity has caused disruption of rangeland, <br />cropland and wetland habitats which occur within the project area. Currently, on sites <br />historically utilized as rangeland or pastureland, native grasses, forbs and shrubs <br />inhabit this area of Otero County. The potential, and historic, desirable plant <br />community in this area consists of: switchgraass, sideoats grama, little bluestem, <br />galleta, blue grama, western wheatgrass, and others. As conditions deteriorate, kochia, <br />bindweed, and other weeds increase. Kochia and bindweed currently inhabit the area <br />previously farmed. Cottonwood trees and willows are found in low-lying areas, and <br />provide cover for wildlife. Weed management will be necessary for successful <br />revegetation back to native plant species and to provide wildlife habitat. <br />3 <br />All Rite Paving & Redi-Mix, Inc. Site Weed Management Plan June 20, 2008