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• yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), yellow toadflax <br />(Linaria vulgaris), and sulfur cinquefoil (potentilla recta) (Rogers 2010). <br />Environmental Consequences/Mitigation: <br />Proposed Action - Approximately 13 acres would be disturbed as a result of this action. <br />After completed reclamation in the fall of 2012, only 0.5 acres would remain without <br />reclamation in the long term. During construction and reclamation the disturbed areas would be <br />open for noxious weed establishment and potential spread onto adjacent lands. The species <br />mentioned above are typically aggressive and highly competitive with more desirable species. <br />Species such as Russian knapweed and yellow toadflax form dense colonies that may be difficult <br />to eradicate and pose problems during reclamation. <br />Bowie has included weed control measures in the proposed action. With the inclusion of more <br />specific agency requirements shown below, the risks of long-term noxious weed problems on the <br />exploration roads and well pads are expected to be low. <br />lands. <br />Mitigation: Mitigation contained in the Conditions of Use (Appendix A) applies to USFS <br />The following mitigation is specific to BLM lands: <br />1) Weeds should be treated using early detection rapid response where monitoring of <br />disturbed sites is essential and treatment as soon as weeds are noticed will ensure <br />public lands remain as weed free as possible. This technique also reduces the cost <br />associated with noxious weed treatment, as it costs less to treat small patches than <br />large established ones. Treatment of large patches usually requires multi-year <br />treatments with more sophisticated equipment. Mitigation measures will include a <br />pre and post rehabilitation inventory conducted by the applicant, with immediate <br />treatment of weeds found. The inventory will be supplied to the BLM for <br />incorporation into the Invasive Specie Data Base. <br />2) The operator is required to control weeds in accordance with BLM, State, and County <br />regulations. The operator will do a post rehabilitation inventory for noxious weeds <br />and both applicant and BLM staff will monitor for noxious weeds and contact the <br />applicant regarding treatment required. As a safeguard to avoid the inadvertent <br />invasion of noxious weeds, vehicle(s) including heavy equipment will be pressure <br />washed at an offsite location prior to entering the site. This is a preventive measure <br />for reducing noxious weed infestation at the drilling site. If equipment is moved <br />directly from site to site while on this project, then pressure washing between sites is <br />not required. However, if equipment is removed from a site, used elsewhere, then <br />brought back to the project area, pressure washing is required before the equipment <br />can be used in the project area. If vehicles are coming from a known area of weed <br />infestations it is necessary to take them through a car wash before entering <br />construction area. <br />3) All stockpiles of topsoil and rehabilitation materials will be kept in a weed free <br />status. <br />4) Any gravel or outside road material will come from a quarry that is maintained in a <br />noxious weed free status. <br />DOI-BLM-CO-S050-2010- 0017 EA Page 21 of 43 May 2010