_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (293)

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The U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining is charged with the responsibility of over seeing the actions of the Division of Minerals and Geology in regard to accomplishing reclamation at Coal Basin. The Office of Surface Mining has visited the site on a number of occasions, and has provided technical assistance to Minerals and Geology. Surface Mining has been very supportive of the reclamation efforts undertaken at Coal Basin. The Office of Surface Mining recognizes the threat posed by noxious weeds, particularly as they impact reclaimed mined lands. To demonstrate their support of the project, Surface Mining has committed manpower to help in the pre- and post-treatment field delineations and cover sampling tasks. Additionally, Surface Mining is attempting to obtain additional funds from within the Department of Interior, which would be provided to the weed control effort. 10. Describe local commitment to the project including local fees or regulations altered to ensure project success, resource-sharing arrangements designed to enhance cost-effectiveness, local taxing efforts to address continuing needs, and local citizen support We have letters of support from citizen groups or agencies that are supportive of the project. These include the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Redstone Community Association, the Coal Basin Cattlemen's Association and the Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association. A signage program emphasizing the requirement of certified hay for outfitters and other user groups will be implemented. The signs will also encourage recreationists to stay on designated trails to minimize the spread of noxious weeds to unaffected areas of the Forest. Resource-sharing arrangements have already been explained in question #9. 11. How will requested state assistance, if provided this year, help create a long- term solution to the current problem? With the treatment of the infested areas at this particular site, the rate of spread of noxious weeds into other areas of the Forest will be slowed. Without treatment, long- term treatment of this area of the Forest will be more expensive and time consuming. Assistance this year also will be used to raise the awareness of the existence of noxious weeds at this particular site, and through education efforts, users of the Forest will be more inclined to take the necessary steps to ensure the long-term health of native diversity in the area. One example will be if mountain bikers and motorized vehicle users stay on the designated routes in the area in an effort *o decrease the spread of weeds to areas which are currently weed free.