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20. The post - mining land use for the site includes rangeland. Please indicate how the reclaimed area will be <br />protected from overgrazing. The Division recommends keeping cattle off of the reclaimed area for a <br />minimum of two growing seasons following seeding. <br />RESPONSE: Observations of cattle grazing (and/or deer and elk grazing) on reclaimed and undisturbed <br />sites at the Cresson Project indicate that harm can be done to the early stages of growth on reclaimed areas. <br />However, stock fencing and hazing of wildlife are not practical in Teller County due to "open range" cows <br />and the abundant wildlife present. Recently, CC &V has utilized conventional 3- or 4- strand barbed wire <br />fencing and even wooden buck rail fence to protect sensitive resources. CC &V will use fencing to protect <br />"new " seeding efforts, if practical. Evaluation of the potential impacts of cattle grazing and fencing to thwart <br />these impacts will be made on a site -by -site basis. CC &V accepts responsibility for the long -term reclamation <br />success and realizes that revegetation failures may occur due to cattle grazing, in which case the affected <br />areas will be re- seeded. <br />21. The Reclamation Plan calls for plating steep slopes with rock to emulate historic underground development <br />rock piles. Please clarify how emulating historic underground development rock piles helps to achieve the <br />post - mining land use of rangeland/wildlife habitat. In addition, specify the location and approximate size of <br />any proposed rock piles. <br />RESPONSE. Prior amendment applications reviewed and approved for the Cresson Project have referenced <br />plating steep slopes with rock to emulate historic underground development rock piles in the area Thus, <br />CC &V is uncertain of the basis for the Division's question. Emulating historic underground development <br />rock piles helps to achieve the post- mining land use of rangeland/wildlife habitat by providing habitat for <br />small mammals (foxes, pocket gophers, and ground squirrels), rodents (field mice and voles), ground nesting <br />birds, reptiles and other wildlife species. These rock pile structures will be field engineered during <br />reclamation activities, and the specific locations / approximate sizes are not detailed as part of the final <br />reclamation plan for the Cresson Project. <br />22. Table A -1 of the Baseline Technical Report from Arcadis lists several different noxious weeds which were <br />observed at the mine site. The Applicant has indicated a third party contractor sprays for noxious weeds <br />annually. Please clarify if the Operator has an approved Weed Control Plan. If there is not an approved <br />Weed Control Plan in place, then one should be developed as part of the review of MLE2. The Weed <br />Control Plan should include the following: <br />a) A list of potential species of noxious weeds that may occur on the site. <br />RESPONSE. CC &V is committed to develop as part of the ISO -14001 certified Environmental Management <br />System at the Cresson Project by September 1, 2013 a Weed Control Plan. This plan will include a list of <br />potential species of noxious weed that may occur at the site. This time line allows for work to be completed <br />during the 2013 growing season at the site. <br />b) A description of the various control methods that will be employed such as mechanical, chemical or <br />biological control. <br />RESPONSE. CC &V is committed to develop as part of the ISO -14001 certified Environmental Management <br />System at the Cresson Project by September 1, 2013 a Weed Control Plan. This plan will include a <br />description of the various control methods that could be employed such as mechanical, chemical, or <br />biological control. This time line allows for work to be completed during the 2013 growing season at the site. <br />c) A monitoring plan that specifies how often the Operator will monitor the site for noxious weeds and <br />the steps to be taken if noxious weeds are observed. <br />RESPONSE. CC &V is committed to develop as part of the ISO -14001 certified Environmental Management <br />System at the Cresson Project by September 1, 2013 a Weed Control Plan. This plan will include a <br />monitoring plan that specifies how often CC &V will monitor the site for noxious weeds and the steps to be <br />taken if noxious weeds are observed. This time line allows for work to be completed during the 2013 growing <br />season at the site. <br />d) A post - treatment monitoring plan to determine control effectiveness. <br />