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1. INTRODUCTION <br />Williams Ranch (hereinafter referred to as Operator) is seeking approval <br />to operate a gravel pit, or multiple pits, in a project encompassing a <br />parcel in the Williams property containing less than 10 acres. This site is <br />located on CR 210 in Huerfano County, Colorado. A lat/long coordinate at <br />the pit site is: N 37.65278° and W 104.585160. Gravel mining operations <br />will occur in phases across all, or part, of this less than 10 acre parcel. <br />Recognizing the presence of state-listed and county-listed noxious weeds <br />in parts of this project area, as well as in the general vicinity of this <br />project area; and understanding the destructive nature of these noxious <br />weeds, the Huerfano County Board of County Commissioners and the <br />Huerfano County Planning & Zoning Commission have required the <br />operator to develop and implement a weed management and revegetation <br />plan encompassing the total project area. <br />The CSU Extension office operates under a cooperative agreement with <br />the Huerfano County government, and provides technical assistance <br />regarding noxious weed management on public and private lands within <br />the county. As such, this office is the locally recognized source for weed <br />management expertise and is qualified to assist the Williams ranch in <br />meeting the requirements related to weed management. <br />A. Description and purpose of the management area <br />Mining operations, road construction, equipment pads and vehicle traffic (including <br />heavy equipment) will cause disruption of native rangeland which occur within the <br />project area. Currently, native grasses and forbs inhabit this area of Huerfano County. <br />The potential, and historic, desirable plant community in this area consists of: blue <br />grama, sideoats grama, western wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, sand dropseed and <br />others. As range conditions deteriorate, prickly pear, threeawn, yucca, rabbitbrush <br />and curlycup gum weed increase. Juniper trees are found in the area and provide <br />cover for wildlife. The soil types in this area are highly susceptible to erosion. Weed <br />management will be necessary for revegetation to be successful. <br />While no noxious weeds were noted during a site visit, the potential exists for the <br />introduction of several species that are listed on both the state and county noxious <br />weed lists. In particular, care must be taken to prevent the introduction of African rue, <br />Russian knapweed, Canada thistle, Scotch thistle, and Diffuse knapweed into the pit <br />site. These species will be the primary focus of the weed management plan as they <br />are highly competitive and will form monocultures in areas where conditions favor their <br />growth and reproduction. That focus can change to include other listed weeds as well <br />as other undesirable plants not listed as noxious weeds. <br />3