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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReclamation, Revegetation, and Weed Management PlanCAERUS OPERATING, LLC G13 PIPELINE RECLAMATION, REVEGETATTON, AND NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN Cover photo: View ofthe proposed pipeline alignment. Prepared for: Caerus Operating, LLC Parachute, CO Prepared by: WestWater Engineering, Inc. 2516 Foresight Cr. #1 Grand Junction, CO 81505 /*ùful Amie Wil sey, Environmental ScientisVProj ect Manager October2022 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Description At the request of Caerus Operating, LLC (Caerus), WestWater Engineering (WestV/ater) has prepared this reclamation, revegetation, and noxious weed management plan for the proposed Gl3 pipeline project that would he located on privately owned lands in Garfielcl County, Colorado. This cloct¡ment reports the results and analysis of the findings that are pertinent to Sections 9-102-L and 9-102-M of the Garfield County Land Use and Development Code (as amended) as it applies to this project. Caerus proposes to construct a new pipeline in SectionsT, 12,13,24, and25, Township 4 South, Range 96 West and Section 18, Township 4 South, Range 95 West (Figure l). The proposed project would be located entirely on privately owned surface in Garfield County, Colorado. This reclamation, revegetation, and noxious weed management plan applies to the proposed pipeline project. The current land uses include rangeland and wildlife habitat. 1.2 General Survey Information Westrùy'ater biologists have conducted numerous noxious weed surveys in the general project area for other projects proposed by Caerus. Findings from those surveys are included in this report. Pedestrian surveys of the project area were conducted by WestWater biologists on July 25,2022 within 30 meters of the proposed alignment (Figure 1). Identification of plant species was aided by using pertinent published field guides (Ackerfield 2015, Kershaw et al. 1998, Whitson et al. 2001, CWMA 2007, Weber and Wittmann 2012). Noxious weed locations were recorded with the aid of handheld global positioning system (GPS) receivers using NAD83 map datum, with all coordinate locations based on the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system in Zone 12. Mapped soil types, as published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service OIRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), were reviewed to determine the soil types and vegetation characteristics at the project site (NRCS 2022). 2.0 LANDSCAPE SETTING 2.l Terrain The proposed pipeline would be located within an existing pipeline corridor for a portion of the alignment and adjacent to existing access roads for its entire length. Elevation within the project area ranges from approximately 8,000 feet to 8,200 feet. The top of the ridge where the pipeline alignment is located is relatively flat, the surrounding valleys fall away sharply in all directions. The East Fork of Strewart Gulch is located west of the project area and the West Fork of Story Gulch is located to the east of the project area. 2.2 Soils The pipeline alignment passes through 6 mapped soil types as described below in Table L Soils in the survey area are typically well drained and occur along ridges, mountain flanks, and mountain sides (Table l) (Natural Resources Conservation Service INRCS] 2022). All of the soils within the project area are well-drairrecl and wifh a high to very high runoff classifrcation. West\ilater Engineering Page I of 14 October2022 Table 1. Soil Types within the Project Area. 2.3 Vegetation The proposed pipeline alignment would be located adjacent to existing pipeline alignments and access roads that have been reclaimed with native and non-native perennial grass species. The surrounding vegetation consists of sagebrush shrublands and mountain shrublands immediately adjacent to the pipeline alignment, while aspen woodlands are present along hillsides and draws in the general vicinity. Native forbs and grasses dominate the understory in all vegetation communities present. Common plants observed in the project area arc described inTable 2. Table 2. Common plant species occurring in the project area. Occurs on ridges and mountainsides. Parent material is residuum weathered from sandstone and shale. 42 Irigul channery loam, 5 to 50 percent slopes Occurs on mountains and ridges. Parent material is residuum weathered from sandstone and shale. 43 Irigul-Parachute complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes Occurs on mountain slopes at an elevation of 7,600 to 8,600 feet. Parent material is colluvium over residuum weathered from sandstone and shale. 53 Parachute-Rhone loams, 5 to 30 percent slopes Occurs on ridges and mountainsides. Parent material is residuum weathered from sandstone. 58 Parachute loam,25 to 75 percent slopes Occurs on ridges and mountainsides. Parent material is residuum weathered from sandstone. 76 Rhone loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes Occurs on ridges. Parent material is residuum weathered from shale. Starman-Vandamore complex, 5 to 40 percent slopes87 Conmon N¡me.l SetentlfuName Grasses and Grass-like plants Bluebunch wheatgrass P s eudoraegneria spicata XX Reclaimed/disturbed area, sagebrush shrublands, mountain shrub Indian ricegrass Achnatherum lrymenoides X Reclaimed/disturbed area, sasebrush shrublands WestWater Engineering Page2 of 14 October 2022 Table 2. Common plant species occurring in the project orel. Intermediate wheatqrass Thín opyrum ínte rmedium xx Reclaimed/disturbed area Kentucky blucgrass Pou pratensls xx Sagebrush shrublands, mountain shrub Muttongrass Poafendleriana xx Sagebrush shrublands, mountain shrub Prairie Junegrass Koeleria macrantha xx Sagebrush shrublands Sandberg bluegrass Poa secunda xxx Sagebrush shrublands, mountain shrub Forbs Anowleaf balsamroot B als amorhiza s agittata xxx Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Blue-eyed Mary Collinsia parviflora xxx Sagebrush shrubland Brittle pricklypear Opuntiafragilis xx Sagebrush shrubland Common dandelion Taraxacum ofrìcinale X Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Common yarrow Achillea millefolium xx Reclaimed/disturbed area, sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub I)esert madwort Alyssam desertorum xxx Reclaimed/disturbed area sagebrush shrubland Fineleaf hymenopapþus Hymenopappus filiþlius XX Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Hollyleaf clover Trifolium gymnocarpon X Sagebrush shrubland Lesser rushy milkvetch As tr aga lus c onv al I ar ius x Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Lewis flax Linum lewisii xx Reclaimed/disturbed area, sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Longleaf phlox Phlox longifolia xx Sagebrush shrubland Louisiana sagewort Artemisia ludoviciana xx Sagebrush shrubland Lupine Lupinus sp.xx Sagebrush, mountain shrub Mountain deathcamas Zigadenus elegans X Sagebrush shrubland Northwestern Indian paintbrush Castilleia chromosa X)(Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Prickly Russian thistle Salsola trngus xx Reclaimed/disturbed area Plains pricklypear'Opunliu polyucunthu X Sagebrush sluubland Rocþ Mountain sprinsoarslev Cymopterus planosus xx Sagebrush shrubland WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 14 October 2022 Table 2. Common plant species occurring in the project area. 3.0 REVEGETATION, RECLAMATION, & SOILS RECOMMENDATIONS Successful reclamation of the project area is dependent upon soil type and texture, slope gradient and aspect, proper weed control, available water, and revegetation with suitable plant species. Reclamation seivices using multiple seed bin range drills and specialized equipment are available and should be used for reclamation seeding projects. XXX Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrubAntennaria roseaRosy pussytoes xxx Sagebrush shrublandRanunculus gl ab errim o sSagebrush buttercup xxx Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrubMertensia brevistylaShortstyle bluebells xxx Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrubEri o gonum I onc hophy I lumSpearleaf buckwheat Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrubxxxPhlox hoodiiSpiny phlox Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrubXXUrtica díoicaStinging nettle Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrubxxxSulphur flower buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum Mountain shrubxRosawoodsíiWoods'Rose Sagebrush shrublandxrWyoming Indian paintbrush C astillej a linariiþlia Shrubs/Trees Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrubxxAntelope bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Mountain shrubxChokecherryPrunus virginiana Mountain shrubxxGambel's oak Quercus gambelü Mountain shrubCercocarpus montanus xxMountain mahogany Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Symphoricarpos oreophilus xxxMountain snowberry Mountain shrubPopulus tremuloides xQuaking aspen Mountain shrubxxxUtah serviceberry Amelanchier utahensis Sagebrush shrublandArt e mi s a tr ident at a ssP. wvominsensis xxxWyoming sasebrush Sagebrush shrubland, mountain shrub Chrysothamnus viscidllorus xYellow rabbitbrush * x= uncommon in project area. xx: moderate frequency throughout project area' xxx = common frequency throughout project area. Non-native species in bold WestWater Engineering Page 4 of l4 October2022 3.1 Soit Preparation Compaction can reduce water infiltlation and also hinder the penetration of the sprouting seetl. Practices that will reduce compaotion and prepare the seedbed includc: scarification, tillagc, or harrowing. In areas with slope greater than three percent or where laminar flows from runoff could affeot reseeding sucoess, imprinting of thc sccd bcd is rccommcndcd. Imprinting can be in the fonn of dozer tracks or furrows perpendicular to the direction of slope. When utilizing þdro-seeding followed by rnulching, imprinting should be done prior to seeding unless the mulch is to be crimped into the soil surface. If broadcast seeding and harrowing, imprinting should be done as part of the harrowing. Furrowing can be done by several methods, the simplest of which is to drill seed perpendicular to the direction of slope in a prepared bed. Other simple imprinting methods include deep hand raking and hanowing, always perpendicular to the direction of slope. 3.2 Soil Amendments The addition of soil amendments in rangeland reclamation projects can create more optimal growing conditions for non-native or invasive plant species, with which native plants compete poorly. There is potential that the use of soil amendments (fertilizer) containing nitrogen will disproportionately benefit undesirable annual plants (Perry etal.2010).If the company determines the use of soil amendments to be beneficial, the type and rate should be based on results from lab analysis ofsoil samples collected at the site. A potentially beneficial altemative method to enhance reclamation success, particularly where there is poor or destroyed topsoil, is the application of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These fungi, mostly of the genus Glomus, are symbiotic with about 80 percent of all vegetation. Endo- mycorhizal fungi are associated mostly with grasses and forbs and could be helpful in reclamation. In symbiosis, the fungi can increase water and nutrient transfer capacity of the host root system (Barrow and McCaslin 1995). Over-the-counter commercial products are available, and the best products should contain more than one fungus species. Compacted soils respond well to fossilized humic substances and by-products called humates. These humates, including humic and fulvic acids and humin were formed from pre-historic plant and animal deposits and can benefit reclamation efforts on compacted soils when applied as directed. 3.3 Seed Mixture The pritttary vegetation communities that would be disturbed by the pipeline alignment include reclaimed areas, sagebrush shrublands, and mountain shrublands. The recommended seed mix below (Table 3) is adapted from the Bureau of Land Management's Colorado River Valley Field Office seed menu recommendations (BLM 2017). The seed mix is well suited for the vegetation communities present along the pipeline alignment. The mix includes perennial native grasses and forbs that should establish well, protect topsoil, and provide a basis for rehabilitation of the site upon reclamation. Portions of the project area that are privately owned may be subject to landowner-requested modifications to the seed mixture. WestrWater Engineering Page 5 of 14 October2022 Table 3. Recommended seed menu for mixed mountain oakbrush. Plant Both of the X'ollorving (20o/oEach,40o/oTotal) Cool Bunch 2.7Elymus elymoides, Sitanion hvstrix VNSBottlebrush Squineltail Secar, P-7, Anatone, Goldar Cool Bunch 3.7Bluebunch Wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata, Agropyron spicatum and Two of the Followine (157o Each,307o Total) 2.5 Elymus lanceolatw ssp. I anc eol atus, Agr opyron dasvstachvum Critana, Bannock, Schwendimar Cool Sod- forming Thickspike Wheatgrass Cool Bunch 2.5 Elymus trachycaulus, Agropyron trachycaulum San LuisSlender Wheatgrass Cool Sod- formins 3.6Pascopyrum fAeropwonl smithii Arriba, Rosana Westem Wheatgrass and One of the Followinq (10% Total) Bunch 0.3Poa ampla Sherman CoolBig Blues¡ass 0.3CanbarCoolBunchCanbv Bluegrass Poa canbyi, P. secunda VNS Cool Bunch 0.3MuttonsrassPoa fendleriana and One of the F'ollowins (107o Total) VNS Cool Bunch 1.7Letterman Needlesrass Achnatherum [StipaJ lettermanii Bunch 1.7 Achnatherum [StipaJ nelsonii, Stipa columbiana VNS CoolColumbia Needlegrass Bunch 1.4Nassella [StipaJ viridula Lodorm, Cucharas CoolGreen Needlegrass and One of the X'ollowins (10% Total) Cool Bunch 1.9 Achnatherum IOryzopsßJ hvmenoides Nezpar, Paloma, Rimrock Indian Ricegrass VNS (North American orisin) Cool Bunch 0.1Junegrass Koeleria macrantha, K. cristata OPTIONAL: Any combination from the following species may be substituted for up to 10%o of the above erâsses. Lupinus arpenteus VNSSilvery Lupine Balsamorhize s agittata \TNSAnowleaf Balsamroot Eriosonum umbellatum VNSSulfur Flower \fNSYarrowAchillea millifolium VNSUtah Sweetvetch Hedysarum boreale VNSRocþ Mountain Beeplant Cleome serrulata Amelanchior utahensis \TNSUtah Serviceberry Symphoricarpus oreophilus VNSMountain Snowberry WestWater Engineering Page 6 of 14 October 2022 Table 3. Recommended seed menu for oakbrush. *Based on 60 pure live seeds (PtS) per square foot, rlrill-seerled. Dor¡hle this rafe (120 PI,S per square foot) if broadcast or hydroseedcd For best results and success, reseeding should be done in late autumn. The seed application rate should be doubled for broadcast applications such as hydroseeding or hand broadcasting ofseed (CNHP 1998). Seeding Methods Typically, the prefened seeding method would be with a multiple-seed-bin range drill with no soil preparation other than simple grading to slope and imprinting and water bars where applicable. This method would likely be the most economical method. Hydroseeding or hand-broadcast seeding at twice the recommended drill seed rate will be required for steep slopes or for smaller areas where drill seeding would be impractical or dangerous. Alternative seeding methods include, but are not limited to: harrow with just enough soil moisture to create a rough surface, broadcast seed and re-harrow, preferably at a 90-degree angle to the first harrow; o hydroseeding; and . hand raking and broadcast followed by re-raking at a 90-degree angle to the first raking. These are not the only means of replanting the site. However, these methods have been observed to be effective in similar landscapes. After desired grasses are established and control of target weed species is successful, then shrubs, forbs, and trees can be planted without concern for herbicide damage. Few native forb seeds are available commercially as cultivars. Most are collected from natural populations. Native shrubs and forbs often do not establish well from seed, particularly when mixed with grasses. Past experience has shown that stabilizing the soil with grasses, accomplishing weed control, and then coming back to plant live, containerized woody species in copses has been the most cost-effective method for establishing the woody species component of the plant community. For sites where soil disturbance will be temporary, grasses should be seeded after construction activities cease and the equipment is removed from the site. After two years of controlling weeds (with herbicides) and allowing the grasses to become established, forbs and woody species should be inter-seeded or hand- planted to increase the diversity and value of the reclamation plantings. 3.4 Mulching Crimped straw mulch is the most cost effective and practical method of mulching areas prone to erosion after drill seeding this site. No mulching is recommended for areas that are lrydroseeded. Potential detrimental effects of mulching include the introduction of weed species and the establishment of non- native cereal grains. Use of a certified weed-free sterile wheat hybrid straw mulch would limit these effects. On steeper slopes where crimping is impractioal, wood straw mulch would be an alternative to crimped straw mulch that might stand up better to wind and rain that could blow or wash uncrimped straw mulch off of seeded areas. a Wuutlns Rusc Rosa woodsll VNS White Saee Artemisia ludoviciana VNS WestWater Engineering Page 7 of 14 October2022 4.0 NOXIOUSWEEDS 4.1 Introduction to Noxious Weeds Most noxious weed species in Colorado were introduced, mostly from Eurasia, either unintentionally or as ornamentals that established wild populations. These plants compete aggressively with native vegetation and tend to spread quickly because the environmental factors that normally control them are absent. Disturbed soils, altered native vegetation communities, and areas with increased soil moisture often create prime conditions for weed infestations. The primary vectors that spread noxious weeds include humans, animals, water, and wind. The Colorado Noxious Weed Act (State of Colorado 2005) requires local governing bodies to develop noxious weed management plans. Both the State of Colorado and Garfield County maintain a list of plants that are considered to be noxious weeds (Garfield County 2021). The State of Colorado noxious weed list segregates noxious weed species based on priority for control: List A species must be eradicated whenever detected. List B species spread should be halted; may be designated for eradication in some counties. . List C species are widespread and the State will assist local jurisdictions which choose to manage those weeds. The Garfield County Weed Advisory Board has compiled a list of 40 plants considered to be noxious weeds within the county. The Garfield County Weed Advisory Board has duties to: l. Develop a noxious weed list; 2. Develop a weed management plan for designated noxious weeds; ando 3. Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that identified landowners submit an integrated weed management plan for their properties (Garfield County 2016). 4.2 Observations Several weed species listed by the State of Colorado (2005) were detected during surveys including: common mullein (Verbascum thapsus), bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), houndstongue (Cynoglossum fficinale), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Noxious weeds were observed in scattered infestations primarily along previously disturbed areas (Figure 2). Other non- native weedy species, not listed by the State of Colorado, were also observed which included: Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), knotweed (Polygonum arenastrum), and herb sophia (Descuraina sophia). 4.3 Integrated Weed Management Control of invasive species is a difficult task and requires intensive on-going control measures. Care must be taken to avoid negatively impacting desirable plant communities and inviting infestation by other pioneer invaders. Weed management is best achieved by employing varied methods over several growing seasons, including inventory (surveys), direct treatments, prevention through best management practices, monitoring of treatment efficacy, and subsequent detection efforts. Weed management is often limited to controlling existing infestations and prevention offurther infestations, rather than eradication, but through effective weed management practices eradication can be possible in small to medium sized weed populations. Assessment of the existence and extent of noxious weeds in an area is essential for the development of an integrated weed management plan. This report provides an initial assessment of the occurrence of noxious weeds for the project area. In order to continue effective management of noxious weeds, further inventory and analysis is necessary to 1) determine the effectiveness of the past treatment strategies; 2) I 2 aJ WestWater Engineering Page I of 14 October 2022 modi$/ the treatment plan, if necessary; and 3) detect new infestations carly, which would rcsult in more economical and effective treatments. 4.4 Prevention of Noxious Weed Infestations Weed rnanagement can be costly, and heavy infestations may exceed the economic threshold for practical treatment. Prevention is an especially valuable and economical strategy for noxious weed management. Several simple practices should be employed to prevent weed infestations. The following practices will prevent infestation and thereby reduce costs associated with noxious weed control: o Prior to delivery to the site, all equipment and vehicles, including maintenance vehicles, should be thoroughly cleaned of soils from previous sites which may be contaminated with noxious weeds. If working in sites with weed-seed contaminated soil, equipment should be cleaned of potentially seed-bearing soils and vegetative debris at the infested area prior to moving to uncontaminated terrain. a o Avoid driving vehicles through areas where weed infestations exist. o Use of weed-seed-free reclamation materials such as mulch and seed. 4.5 Treatment and Control of Noxious Weed Infestations The treatment method and timing will be cletermined by the project proponent and their contracted licensed pesticide applicators. The recommendations provided in this report will be considered when developing annual treatment plans. General control methods for the species detected in the project area are provided for reference in Table 4. Table 4. General noxious weed control methods for in the ect area. Bold = Garfield County List, *State List A, B, or C Butl thistleB Círsìumvulgare Biennial Tillage or hand grubbing in the rosette to pre-flowering stages. Repeated mowing at bolting or early flowering. Seed head and rosette weevilsr leaf feeding beetles. Herbicides in rosette stage. Canada thistteB Círsìum arvense Perennial Cutting and mowing prior to seed set, continuously and annually indefinitely; cutting and mowing combined with herbicide; cutting, herbicide, and biological (recommended). Common mulleinc Verbascum thapsus Biennial Tillage, mowing, cutting, hand grubbing prior to bolting. Herbicide treatment during rosette stage or bolting stage before flowering. HoundstongueB Cynoglossum officinale Biennial Early Spring tillage before weed emergence in the existing corridor to a depth of 2 to 4 inches. Herbicide application in Spring while plants are small and it the late fall, bagging the seed heads. Spotted knapweedB Centøareø stoehe Perennial For small infestations hand pulling prior to seeding. The most effective control strategy firr large infestations is mechanical removal, and herbicide before the plant flowers. Applying 2,4-D to rosettes in the fall or early sprinq is also effective. WestWater Engineering Page 9 of 14 October2022 4.6 Recommended Treatment Strategies The following treatment strategies are presented for reference. It is important to know whether the weed species being managed is an annual, biennial, or perennial to select strategies that effectively control and eliminate the target. Treatment strategies vary depending on plant type, which are summarized in Tables 5 and 6. Herbicides should not always be the first treatment of choice when other methods can be effectively employed. Table 5. Treatment Strategies for Annual and Biennial Noxious Weeds Prevent Seed Production (Sirota 2004) Table 6. Treatment Strategies for Perennials nutrient rcseÍves in root seed (Sirota 2004) Some weeds, particularly annuals and biennials, can develop resistance to herbicides. The ability to quickly develop immunity to herbicides, especially when they are used incorrectly, makes it imperative to use the proper chemicals at the correct time in the specified concentration according to the product label. Excessive application, either in frequency or concentration, can result in top kill without significantly affecting the root system. Repeated excessive applications may result in resistant phenotypes. 4.7 Noxious Weed Management - Best Management Practices Construction: The following practices should be adopted for any construction project to reduce the costs of noxious weed control and aid in prevention efforts. The practices include: l Hand grub (pull), hoe, till, cultivate in rosette stage and before flowering or seed maturity. If flowers or seeds develop, cut and bag seed heads. 2. Cutroots with a spade 2"-3" below soil level 3. Treat with herbicide in seedling, rosette or bolting stage, before flowering. 4. Mow biennials after bolting stage but before seed set. Mowing annuals will not prevent flowering but can reduce total seed production. l. Allow plants to expend as much energy from root system as possible. Do not treat when first emerginginspringbutallowgrowthtobud/bloomstage.IfseedsdevelopcuL@ 2. Herbicide treatment at bud to bloom stage or in the fall (recommended after August 15 when natural precipitation is present). In the fall plants draw nutrients into the roots for winter storage. Herbicides will be drawn down to the roots more efficiently at this time due to translocation of nutrients to roots rather than leaves. Ifthe weed patch has been present for a long period oftime another season ofseed production is not as important as getting the herbicide into the root system. Spraying in fall (after middle August) will kill the following year 's shoots, which are being formed on the roots at this time 3. Mowing usually is not recommended because the plants will flower anyway, rather, seed production should be reduced. Many studies have shown that mowing perennials and spraying the regrowth is not as effective as spraying without mowing. Effect of mowing is species dependent therefore it is imperative to know the species and its basic biology. Timing of application must be done when biologically appropriate, which is not necessarily convenient' 4. Tillage may or may not be effective or practical. Most perennial roots can sprout from pieces only 0.5 inch - 1.0 inch long. Clean machinery thoroughly before leaving the weed patch. 5. Hand pulling is generally not recommended for perennial species unless you know the plants are seedlings and not established plants. Hand pulling can be effective on small patches but is very labor intensive because it must be done repeatedly WestWater Engineering Page l0 of 14 October2022 . Prior to delivery to the site, equipment should tre cleancd of soils remaining from prcvious construction sites which may be contaminated with noxious weeds. r Equipment and material handling should be done on estahlished sites to reduce the area and extent of soil compaction. . In all cases, temporary disturbance should be kept to an absolute minimum. . Topsoil, where present, should be segregated from deeper soils and replaced as topsoil on the final grade, a process known as live topsoil handling. o If stored longer than one growing se¿rson, topsoil stockpiles should be seeded with non-invasive sterile hybrid grasses. o If working in weed infested sites, equipment should be cleaned of potentially seed-bearing soils and vegetative debris prior to moving to uncontaminated terrain. o After construction, disturbed areas outside the footprint of the development should be immediately reseeded with an appropriate seed mix. Herbicides: Many of the listed noxious weed species in Colorado can be controlled with commercially available herbicides. Annual and biennial weeds are best controlled at the pre-bud stage after germination or in the spring of the second year. Selective herbicides are recommended to minimize damage to desirable grass species. It is important that applicators adhere to concentrations specified on herbicide containers. Herbicides generally do not work better at higher concentrations. Herbicide failures are frequently related to high concentrations that result in top kill before the active ingredient can be transported to the roots through the nutrient translocation process. If directed on the herbicide label, a surfactant or other adjuvant should be added to the tank. Grazing: In the event grazing is allowed in the project area. it should be deferred in reclaimed areas until revegetation ofdesirable species has been successfully established and seeded plants have had opportunity to reproduce. Monitoring: Areas where noxious weed infestations are identified and treated should be inspected over time to ensure that control methods are working to reduce and suppress the identified infestation. The sites should be monitored until the infestations are eliminated. These inspections can then be used to prioritize future weed control efforts. 4.8 Commercial Applicator Recommendations A certified commercial pesticide applicator licensed in rangeland and/or right-of-way/industrial weed control (depending on site characteristics) is a necessary choice for herbicide control efforts. An applicator has the full range of knowledge, skills, equipment, and experience desired when dealing with tough noxious weeds. In addition, the purchase and use of restricted use herbicides requires a Colorado pesticide applicator license. 4.0 REFERENCES Ackerfield, J. 2015. Flora of Colorado. Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort V/orth, Texas. Barrow, J. R., and Bobby D. McCaslin. 1995. Role of microbes in resource menagement in arid ecosystems. In: Barrow, J. R., D. D. McArthur, R. E. Sosebee, and Tauscho R. J., comps. 1996. Proceedings: shrubland ecosystem dynamics in a changing environment. General Technical Westwater Engineering Page 11 of14 October 2022 Report, INT-GTR-338, Ogden, Utah: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Resource Station, 275 pp. BLM.2017. Revised Revegetation Seed Mix Menus, CRVFO F.nerry Team. U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Colorado River Valley Field Office. Silt, Colorado. CWMA. 2007. S. Anthony, T. D'Amato, A. Doran, S. Elzinga, J. Powell,I. Schonle, K. Uhing. Noxious V/eeds of Colorado, Ninth Edition. Colorado V/eed Management Association, Centennial. Garfield County. 2016. Garfteld County Vegetation Management and Garfield County V/eed Advisory Board. Garfield County Noxious Weed Management Plan, Adopted by Board of County Commissioners Feb. 16, 2016. Garfield County. 202l.Yegetation Management Section - Noxious V/eed List. Available online: http://www.garfield-county.com/vegetation-management/noxious-weedJist.aspx. Rifle, CO. Kershaw, L., A. MacKinnon, and J. Pojar. 1998. Plants ofthe Rocky Mountains. Lone Pine Publishing, Auburn, rWashington. NRCS. 2022. Web Soil Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, URL : http ://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov Perry, L.G., D.M. Blumenthal, T.A. Monaco, M.W. Paschke, and E.F. Redente.2010.Immobilizing nitrogen to control plant invasion. Oecologia: 163:12-24. Sirota, Judith M.2004. Best management practices for noxious weeds of Mesa County. Colorado State University, Cooperative Extension Tri River Area, Grand Junction, Colorado. URL: http ://www.coopext. colostate. edu/TRA/Weeds/weedmgmt.html State of Colorado. 2005. Rules pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, 35-5-l-119, C.R.S. 2003. Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Division, Denver, 78 pp. Weber, V/illiam 4., and Ronald C. V/ittmann.2012. Colorado Flora, Vy'estern Slope. Fourth Edition, University Press of Colorado, Boulder. Whitson, T. D. (editor),L.C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D.W.Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R.D. Lee and R. Parker. 2001 . l4leeds of the West - 9'h edition. Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with Cooperative Extension Services, University of Wyoming, Laramie. WestWater Engineering Page 12 of 14 October2022