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Vegetation and Noxious Weeds: <br />o Reclamation seed mixes must include only native species, and must exclude all <br />potentially invasive species. When purchasing seed, the operator must obtain a <br />written statement indicating that the seed being purchased is weed -free. Seed mix use <br />will be consistent with the Reclamation Prescriptions for the Foothills and <br />Mountain Ecosystems of the San Luis Valley Area (1998). <br />o The operator will seed all recontoured excavation sites, associated topsoil piles and <br />reclaimed roads at the end of the project. <br />o Seeding will be done in the spring or fall, optimally before the first snowfall. <br />Reclamation in forested areas may require hand tools to pull excavated material away <br />from trees. <br />o Black henbane is a known noxious weed present along the Findley Gulch Road (FS <br />Road 880). Agency efforts have reduced its presence; however care should be taken <br />not to spread seed. Washing of equipment prior to and after working in this area will <br />be required. <br />Reclamation: <br />Concurrent reclamation will continue throughout the mining season. The claimant will <br />take measures to prevent or control onsite and off -site damage to NFS land resources <br />including (36 CFR 228.8 g): <br />o Control of erosion and sediment transport from temporary access roads and drill pads <br />o Control of water runoff <br />Final reclamation will include: <br />o Removal of all equipment and trash from mining claim <br />o Recontouring and replacement of topsoil at all disturbed sites (including dig sites and <br />all temporary access roads) <br />o Revegetation of all disturbed areas with native vegetation. Before reclamation bond is <br />released, vegetation must be established 80% or better compared to the surrounding <br />undisturbed areas. Reclamation of the site will be measured by the Minerals <br />Administrator, Rio Grande National Forest. <br />Design Criteria are required to implement Forest Watershed standards and guidelines that <br />include: <br />1. Manage land treatments to conserve site moisture and protect long -term stream <br />health from damage by increased runoff. <br />2. Manage land treatments to maintain enough organic ground cover in each land <br />unit to prevent hamlful increased runoff by using native vegetation as feasible. <br />3. Limit road and other disturbed sites to the minimum feasible number, width, and <br />total length consistent with the purpose of specific operations, local topography, <br />and climate by stabilizing soils on -site and avoid slopes steeper than 70 %, <br />retaining stabilizing vegetation on unstable soils, avoid new roads on unstable or <br />highly erodible soils, and reconstruct road for long -term soil and drainage stability <br />Klondike Mineral Exploration Project - Decision Memo 11 1 P a g e <br />