HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.8 Oxy GarCo Noxious Weed Mgmt and Reclamation Plan_10.16.13Noxious Weed Management Plan
for
Cascade Creek Operating Area
Mesa
Valley
Logan Wash
OXY USA WTP LP
760 Horizon Drive, Suite 101
Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
Updated March 2013
Table of Contents
Section Page
Introduction
Compliance Statements
Local Contacts
Operating Area
Land Use Objectives
Weed Management Objectives & Implementation Strategies
Inventory and Monitoring
Prevention
Construction Prevention Measures
Operations Prevention Measures
Revegetation
Control and Management
Local, State, and Federal Contacts and Resources
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
5
6
9
Appendices
Appendix A — Colorado Noxious Weed List
Appendix B — Example Excel Spreadsheet Components
Appendix B — Example Tables for Pesticide Reporting
Appendix C — Oxy Tracking Forms for Cascade Creek
Appendix D — Sample Revegetation and Reclamation Plan
Appendix E — Noxious Weed Management Protocols for Areas within the State
Natural Areas
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 1
Noxious Weed Management Plan for
OXY USA WTP LP
Cascade Creek Operations
Garfield County, Colorado
Introduction
OXY USA WTP LP ("Oxy") has developed this Noxious Weed Management Plan (Plan) to comply
with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. Title 35, Article 5.5) ("Act"), Colorado Oil and Gas
Conservation Act, local, and federal noxious weed management requirements, such as Garfield
County Planning Department and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Plan also covers
special best management practices (BMP's) for management of noxious weeds in two designated
State Natural Areas (SNA's) located on Oxy property.
The Act requires that "noxious weeds" be managed on private and public lands. The Act further
declares that control of noxious weeds should use methods that are least damaging to the
environment but also practicable and economically reasonable. The state requires management
of noxious weeds included on one of three lists (see Appendix A): List A — designated for
statewide eradication; List B — managed to prevent further spread and, for selected species,
designated for eradication in large areas; and List C — of more localized concern, but for which
the state will provide education, research, and biological control assistance to jurisdictions that
choose to manage the species.
Oxy owns/leases and operates certain mineral properties in the Piceance basin, located in
Western Colorado. This Plan is intended to manage Oxy's oil and gas operational areas in order
to comply with all local, state and federal noxious weed management requirements including
Garfield County, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), and the BLM.
Compliance Statements
Oxy will manage all noxious weeds, as defined by the Act, the guidelines in the Garfield County
Noxious Weed Management Plan, the local BLM Pesticide Use Plan (PUP), any other approved
noxious weed management conditions of approval (COA's) issued by a land management agency
in existing surface disturbed areas managed by Oxy as well as newly disturbed project areas.
Some noxious weed management COA's may be identified by a biological consultant at the time
of project specific inventories. The term, "disturbed area" includes all well pads, access roads,
easements, pipelines, and associated support facilities such as compressor stations, water
management facilities, and other areas disturbed by project activities. Disturbed areas also
include soil stockpiles, earthen berms and other erosion control BMP's that require ground
disturbance for installation and maintenance. Oxy will comply with COGCC noxious weed
management 1000 Series rules, which requires Oxy to keep all disturbed areas free of noxious
weeds.
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 2
Oxy will report all State List A and List B noxious weed populations inventoried and treated and
any other species identified by Garfield County for eradication upon discovery to the appropriate
County designee.
The Colorado Natural Areas Program (CNAP), which manages the designated SNA's have
provided Oxy with recommended noxious weed management BMP's that will aide in protecting
native plant species. The recommended BMP's will be applied where feasible.
Local Contacts
The local contact for Oxy's Plan include the Regulatory Advisor, who serves as Oxy's noxious
weed management coordinator and manages the noxious weed contractors.
- Regulatory Advisor — Daniel I. Padilla, 970.263.3637
Garfield County's Vegetation Management contact number is 970.625.8601. Addition contact
information is listed in local contacts section of the Plan.
Operating Area
Oxy manages active and inactive leases associated with natural gas exploration in the following
areas of Garfield County:
• Cascade Creek Operating Area, which is separated into three primary fields:
o Valley
o Mesa
o Logan Wash; this area contains two SNA's:
• Mount Callahan SNA
• Mount Callahan Saddle SNA
Oxy operates on split estate, where surface lands may be wholly federal (BLM) and minerals
wholly fee owned and vice versa.
Land Use Objectives
Oxy conducts natural gas exploration and production activities on fee and federal lease holdings
in Western Colorado. Land uses and types of facilities to be developed include access roads,
pipelines, well pads, compressor stations, staging/storage areas for equipment and supplies, and
other associated natural gas development activities. Some of the developments are short-term
temporary disturbances, such as staging areas and pipelines, while the access roads, well pads,
and other support facilities remain in active use for an estimated 20-30 years.
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 3
Weed Management Objectives and Implementation Strategies
The following are the overall objectives of the Plan:
• Inventory and monitor existing or new noxious weed infestations using Global Positioning
System (GPS) equipment or other mapping techniques. Inventories shall occur at least
annually;
• Prevent new infestations of noxious weeds;
• Utilize state certified contractors to implement an Integrated Weed Management (IWM)
protocol as recommended by the state or Garfield County Noxious Weed Management
plan to control or manage noxious weed populations;
• Maintain a noxious weed inventory, herbicide application and mapping records;
• Restore disturbed areas to protect native plant ecosystems and watersheds from
degradation by noxious weeds.
Specific actions to be taken to meet these objectives include:
• Bareground treatments will occur at existing facilities at the start of the spring season,
prior to noxious weed emergence to reduce the emergence potential of noxious weeds.
• Annual monitoring will occur at existing and new facilities, specifically looking for noxious
weeds. If noxious weeds are identified, they will be mapped, treated, and the treatment
event will be logged.
• All treatment events will be logged by the noxious weed treating contractor using a
Pesticide Application Record (PAR). See Appendix B for an example of what information
should be collected; the contractor may choose their own format. The PAR will be use to
report noxious weed management activities to federal land managing agencies. In
addition to completing the PAR, the noxious weed contractor will complete Oxy's noxious
weed tracking form, see Appendix C.
• Completion of the PAR and Oxy's tracking form will serve as documentation of noxious
weed management activities.
• Where feasible implement area specific noxious weed management BMP's in the two
designated state management areas, see Appendix E.
Inventory and Monitoring
Before a new site is developed and when practical, Oxy will inventory the site and adjacent areas
for noxious weeds, including access roads and other probable weed ingress routes. If
development activities are started in the winter months or when noxious weeds cannot be
identified, the new disturbance area will be inventoried the next growing season. Noxious weed
locations (List A and List B species) will be collected with a GPS unit or mapped in relation to the
facility or landmark. Any noxious weed infestations found will be treated before site disturbance,
if timing is appropriate. If the timing is not appropriate for noxious weed treatment, activities may
proceed and the weeds will be monitored and treated during the appropriate season. Weeds on
adjacent properties may be treated as appropriate with permission of the landowner. Populations
of Colorado or County List A and List B species (see Appendix A) will be reported to the County
Weed Manager. On federal lands or for federal projects, a Noxious Weed Inventory record will be
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 4
completed each time a List A or B weed infestation is inventoried (with the exception of redstem
filaree and quackgrass), and the populations will be reported.
Monitoring will be conducted at least annually, early in the growing season, by Oxy staff or
contractors, and in coordination with BLM staff on federal lands. For most of Oxy's operation
areas, monitoring will occur between May and July. All previously treated noxious weed sites will
be monitored for regrowth and scheduled for re -treatment as necessary. All disturbed areas
under Oxy management will also be monitored to ensure there are no new weed infestations.
Prevention
The purpose of prevention measures is to preclude the introduction of new or existing noxious
weeds from the project area to un -infested areas or from adjacent land into the project area.
Construction Prevention Measures
Construction equipment entering project areas (backhoes, trackhoes, dozers, blades,
rollers, lowboys, equipment trailers, etc.) will be power washed or otherwise cleaned.
"Equipment" is defined as any earth moving and any other machinery, trucks or vehicles,
trailers and tools. On Federal property, equipment may be inspected by BLM or Forest
Service (FS) personnel. Pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, water trucks, and pipe trucks should
also be clean but do not require inspection prior to entering federal lands. Where
required, track pads, gravel beds or rumble strips will be installed at ingress/egress points
to the site to limit weed seed from entering or leaving the site.
Soils from infested areas of the project site will not be moved off site, but will be
stockpiled and treated for weeds as necessary. If infested soils are moved off site, they
will be kept on Oxy -managed property, monitored, and treated as necessary. Stockpiled
soils will be monitored and treated to control noxious weeds. All purchased products
used in development and reclamation of a site will be inspected or certified as weed -free
whenever possible, including soils, rock and gravel, seeds, mulch and erosion control
products.
Operational Prevention Measures
Existing facilities such as well pads, valve/meter sites, and compressor stations that
require work areas to be free of vegetation shall have bareground treatments at the start
of spring. Existing facilities such as access roads and reclaimed pipeline right-of-ways
shall be monitored through the growing season for noxious weeds and noxious weeds
identified will be treated.
Revegetation
The goal of reclamation and revegetation of a site after disturbance is timely establishment of a
desirable native plant community and prevention of noxious weed infestation. Elements of
successful revegetation include the use of topsoil that was set aside during construction and kept
weed -free; reseeding with appropriate species to establish plant cover, and stabilization of the
soil surface with the appropriate mulches, tackifiers, and erosion control products as needed.
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 5
Plans for revegetation and reclamation of disturbed areas are site-specific, and will include a
plant list, method of seeding, how seeding success will be determined and how the revegetated
area will be monitored. Oxy will rely on existing surface use agreements, revegetation plan, or
Stormwater Management Plan, which has a recommended seed mix. BLM and FS seed mixes
are compiled on a site-specific basis, according to elevation and existing vegetation community
on the site. Non-native, non-persistent sterile grasses may be used to provide ground cover for
soil stabilization and weed suppression during temporary reclamation on both private and federal
land. See Appendix D for a sample Oxy Revegetation and Reclamation Plan.
Certified weed seed free straw, hay, mulch, seed or other materials will be used for soil
stabilization and/or revegetation purposes (Colorado Department of Agriculture certified inspector
to State standards). Seed tags will be available for inspection upon request of the Inspector.
Topsoil that is stock piled for more than one year will be seeded according to above standards at
the earliest practical time to reduce the possibility of noxious weed establishment.
Revegetation efforts will be monitored annually until successful establishment of desirable or
intentionally planted seed or plants is confirmed. Noxious weeds found in revegetation will be
documented, and managed per guidelines in this Weed Management Plan.
Control and Management
The noxious weed contractor will follow the guidelines identified in the Noxious Weed
Management Plan developed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Garfield County
Noxious Weed Management Plan developed by the Garfield County Vegetation Management
department to identify, treat, and control noxious weeds. Treatments will include herbicide,
cultural, mechanical, revegetation, and biological control alone or in combination as necessary for
efficient weed control. On federal lands, control and management methods (including herbicide
use) will be verified and approved with the appropriate land management agency representatives.
Noxious weed management activities on federal lands will comply with the BLM or other land
management agencies PUP. Annual reporting to the BLM or other land management agency will
be completed as prescribed in the PUP by the noxious weed contractor.
The accompanying treatment tables describe the management methods, rates, and timing of
control measures for specific targeted weeds (see Table 1 and Table 2). Treatment application
records will be retained by Oxy and available for inspection by agency personnel listed in the
contacts section below.
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 6
Table 1 Weed Management Methods
Target Weed(s)
Management
Method(s)
Herbicide
Recommendation
Product/Ratet
Adjuvant or
Surfactant
& Rate
Timing of Control
Chamomile, scentless
(Matricaria perforate)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
picloram or clopyralid,
as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Pre -flower, early
season
Houndstongue
(Cynoglossum
officinale)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
picloram or picloram +
2,4-D, as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Pre -bud or rosette
stage (early spring)
Knapweed, Russian
(Acroptilon repens)
Herbicide, cultural
1)clopyralid plus2,4-D,
or 2)clopyralid plus
triclopyr or 3)picloram,
as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Fall
Knapweed, spotted
(Centaurea maculosa)
Herbicide
1)clopyralid plus2,4-D,
or 2)clopyralid plus
triclopyr or
3)glyphosate, as per
label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Rosettes in fall or
early spring
Moth mullein
(Verbascum blattaria)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
Dicamba or
chlorsulfuron, as per
label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Rosettes in fall or
early spring
Oxeye daisy,
(Chrysanthemum
leucanthemum)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
Clopyralid or
metsulfuron methyl, as
per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Early, young growth
*Sulfur cinquefoil
(Potentilla recta)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
1)picloram or
2)metsulfuron methyl,
as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Spring or fall
*Tamarisk, Salt cedar
(all Tamarix sp.)
Herbicide
Triclopyr, as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Basal spray on
young plants, cut
and treat stump on
older plant.
Thistle, bull
(Cirsium vulgare)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
Clopyralid or picloram,
as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Rosette stage,
spring or fall
Thistle, Canada
(Breea arvense)
Herbicide, cultural
1)clopyralid plus2,4-D,
or 2)clopyralid plus
triclopyr or
3)glyphosate, as per
label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Early bud stage or
fall rosettes
Thistle, musk
(Carduus nutans)
Herbicide, biological,
mechanical, cultural
1) 2,4-D or 2)
clopyralid plus 2,4-D
or 3)glyphosate, as
per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Rosette stage,
spring or fall
Thistle, plumeless
(Carduus
acanthoides)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
Clopyralid or tricloram,
as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Rosette stage,
spring or fall
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan
Page 7
Target Weed(s)
Management
Method(s)
Herbicide
Recommendation
Product/Ratet
Adjuvant or
Surfactant
& Rate
Timing of Control
Thistle, Scotch
(Onopordum tauricum,
Onopordum
acanthium)
Herbicide,
mechanical, cultural
Picloram or dicamba,
as per label
Nonionic surfactant,
as per label
Rosette stage,
spring or fall
*These are small population or individuals that have been treated in the area, and will be monitored; all others are large
and widespread populations
tHerbicides that are preferred for control are numbered as 1, if not numbered, there is no preference
Table 2 Biological, Cultural, or Mechanical Methods to be Used
Practice
Target Weed(s)
Seeding with approved seed mix to revegetate disturbed land,
including a combination of fast growing and long-term species
(see revegetation plan).
All weeds above, but especially important for those
that list cultural as a control method in Table 1.
Removal of small infestations by pulling or hand grubbing at any
stage.
Houndstongue, bull thistle, musk thistle, plumeless
thistle, scotch thistle
Repeated mowing during bolting pre -flowering stage; cutting,
bagging and removal of flowering heads if already in flower
All thistle species
Introduce biological control approved for specific weeds in very
large infestations, after agency approval.
Those with biological listed as a control method in
Table 1 have approved bio -controls.
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 8
Local, State and Federal Contacts and Resources
Additional Noxious Weed Resource Management contacts include:
Grand Junction BLM Weed Management Specialist
Mark Tabor
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, CO 81601-4180
970.244.3004
Garfield County Vegetation Management
Steve Anthony
P.O. Box 426.0298 Cr 333A
Rifle, CO 81650
970.625.8601
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service
Garfield County
1001 Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 1112
Rifle, CO 81650-1112
970.625.3969
Colorado Department of Agriculture
State Weed Coordinator
Noxious Weed Program
Division of Conservation Services
700 Kipling Street, Suite 4000
Lakewood, CO 80215-5894
303.239.4182
www.state.co.us/dpi/weeds/weed/html
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Division of Plant Industry
Biological Control Section
P.O. Box 400 Palisade, CO 81526
970.464.7916
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 9
Appendix A
Colorado Noxious Weed List
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 10
Colorado State Noxious Weeds
Common Name Scientific Name Status
African Rue Peganum harmala List A
Bohemian knotweed Polygonum x bohemicum List A
Camelthorn Alhagi pseudalhagi List A
Common crupina Crupina vulgaris List A
Cypress spurge Euphorbia cyparissias List A
Dyer's woad Isatis tinctoria List A
Elongated mustard Brassica elongate List A
Giant knotweed Polygonum sachalinense List A
Giant reed Arundo donax List A
Giant salvinia Salvinia molesta List A
Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata List A
Japanese knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum List A
Meadow knapweed Centaurea pratensis List A
Mediterranean sage Salvia aethiopis List A
Medusahead Taeniatherum caput -medusae List A
Myrtle spurge Euphorbia myrsinites List A
Orange hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacum List A
Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria List A
Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea List A
Squarrose knapweed Centaurea virgata List A
Tansy ragwort Senecio jacobaea List A
Yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitialis List A
Absinth wormwood Artemisia absinthium List B
Black henbane Hyoscyamus niger List B
Bouncingbet Saponaria officinalis List B
Bull thistle Cirsium vulgare List B
Canada thistle Cirsium arvense List B
Chinese clematis Clematis orientalis List B
Common tansy Tanacetum vulgare List B
Common teasel Dipsacus fullonum List B
Corn chamomile Anthemis arvensis List B
Cutleaf teasel Dipsacus laciniatus List B
Dalmatian toadflax- broad leaved Linaria dalmatica List B
Dalmatian toadflax- narrow leaved Linaria genistifolia List B
Dame's rocket Hesperis matronalis List B
Diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa List B
Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum List B
Hoary cress Cardaria draba List B
Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale List B
Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula List B
Mayweed chamomile Anthemis cotula List B
Moth mullein Verbascum blattaria List B
Musk thistle Carduus nutans List B
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 11
Oxeye daisy
Perennial pepperweed
Plumeless thistle
Quackgrass
Russian knapweed
Russian -olive
Salt cedar
Scentless chamomile
Scotch thistle
Scotch thistle
Spotted knapweed
Spurred anoda
Sulfur cinquefoil
Venice mallow
Wild caraway
Yellow nutsedge
Yellow toadflax
Bulbous bluegrass
Chicory
Common burdock
Common mullein
Common St. Johnswort
Downy brome
Field bindweed
Halogeton
Johnsongrass
Jointed goatgrass
Perennial sowthistle
Poison hemlock
Puncturevine
Redstem filaree
Velvetleaf
Wild proso millet
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Lepidium latifolium
Carduus acanthoides
Elytrigia repens
Acroptilon repens
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Tamarix chinensis, T. parviflora, and T. ramosissima
Matricaria perforata
Onopordum acanthium
Onoporfum tauricum
Centaurea maculosa
Anoda cristata
Potentilla recta
Hibiscus trionum
Carum carvi
Cyperus esculentus
Linaria vulgaris
Poa bulbosa
Cichorium intybus
Arctium minus
Verbascum thapsus
Hypericum perforatum
Bromus tectorum
Convolvulus arvensis
Halogeton glomeratus
Sorghum halepense
Aegilops cylindrica
Sonchus arvensis
Conium maculatum
Tribulus terrestris
Erodium cicutarium
Abutilon theophrasti
Panicum miliaceum
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List B
List C
List C
List C
List C
List C
List C
List C
List C
List C
List B
List C
List C
List C
List C
List C
List C
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 12
Garfield County Noxious Weeds
Common Name Scientific Name Status
Leafy Spurge Euphorbia esula List B
Russian Knapweed Acroptilon repens List B
Yellow Starthistle Centaurea solstitalis List A
Plumeless Thistle Carduus acanthoides List B
Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale List B
Common Burdock Arctium minus List C
Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium List B
Canada Thistle Cirsium arvense List B
Spotted Knapweed Centaurea maculosa List B
Diffuse Knapweed Centaurea diffusa List B
Dalmatian Toadflax Linaria dalmatica List B
Yellow Toadflax Linaria vulgaris List B
Hoary Cress Cardaria draba List B
Salt Cedar Tamarix parviflora, Tamarix ramosissima List B
Oxeye Daisy Chrysanthemum leucantheum List B
Jointed Goatgrass Aegilops cylindrical List B
Chicory Cichorium intybus List C
Musk Thistle Carduus nutans List B
Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria List A
Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia List B
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 13
Appendix B
Example Excel Spreadsheet Components and Example Tables
for Pesticide Reporting
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 14
Pesticide Reporting Example
The Excel spreadsheet table will contain the data fields listed below. This information should
have been recorded on Noxious Weed Inventory and Pesticide Application records completed
during the field season. The Excel spreadsheet will contain a new entry for each weed inventory
and/or pesticide application.
Infestation Number (IN #): Needed when List A or List B species (with the exception of redstem
filaree and quackgrass) are inventoried and treated. This is the unique number or code
associated with each weed infestation.
Date: Date of the weed inventory and/or treatment
Observer/Applicator (Obs/Appl): Person conducting the inventory and/or applying the
herbicide.
Weed Name or Bare Ground: Common name of the weed. If it was a bare ground treatment
state as such.
UTM Easting (UTM E), Northing (UTM N) and Zone (Z) (should always be in NAD 83) or use
Lat and Long if preferred. Be consistent with which one is used.
Infested Acres (Inf Acres): List how many acres are covered with the weed.
Density (Dens) i.e. Cover: L= Low (less than 5% total canopy cover)
M = Moderate (5% - 25% canopy cover)
H = High (more than 25% canopy cover)
Surface ownership (Own): BLM, FS or private
Herbicide Trade Name (Tr Name) or Treatment Method — if a manual or biological treatment
state as such.
Chemical Names (Chem Name) — Only needed when using an herbicide with multiple active
ingredients or when using a mixture of chemicals. For example, if using Sahara DG which has
two active ingredients, imazapyr and diuron, enter the first two letters of each active ingredient.
e.g. im + di. See Excel spreadsheet example.
Application Rate (Pounds Active Ingredient (A.I.)/Acre or Pounds Acid Equivalent
(A.E.)/Acre): For those herbicides with multiple active ingredients, multiple columns for the
application rates are provided. Application rates should be entered in the same order chemical
names are entered. For example, for Sahara DG, the A.I./acre of imazapyr would be entered in
the first Application Rate (AR #1) column. The A.I./acre of diuron would be entered in the second
Application Rate (AR #2) column. If an additional chemical was used in the mix it would be
entered in the third Application Rate (AR #3) column.
Total Pounds Active Ingredient (Al) or Acid Equivalent (A.E.) Applied: For those herbicides
with multiple chemicals, multiple columns for the pounds of A.I./A.E. are provided. Pounds of
A.I./A.E. should be entered in the same order chemical names are entered. For example, for
Sahara DG, the pounds of A.I. of imazapyr would be entered in the first Total Pounds A.I./A.E. (Al
AE #1) column. The pounds of A.I. of diuron would be entered in the second Total Pounds
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 15
A.I./A.E. (Al AE #2) column. If an additional chemical was used in the mix it would be entered in
the third Total Pounds A.I./A.E. (Al AE #3) column.
Acres Treated: This should equal the Total Pounds A.I./A.E. divided by the Application Rate in
Pounds A.I./A.E.
Example of a Table for Reporting Total Pounds Active Ingredient Applied and Total Acres
Treated by Chemical Type
Chemical(s)
Application Rate
(lbs. A.I./acre
or lbs. A.E/acre)
Acres Treated
Total Pounds A.I. or A.E.
metsulfuron methyl
.056
20.7
1.16
metsulfuron methyl
.075
1.7
.13
Total acres and # a.i.
22.4
1.29
Metsulfuron methyl +
2,4-D
.125 + 1.87
.07
.009 + .0135
Total acres and # a.i.
.07
.009 + .0135
clopyralid +
2,4-D
.285 + 1.5
5.0
1.43 +7.60
Clopyralid +
2,4-D
.185 + 1.0
1.6
.3 + 1.6
Total acres and # a.e.
6.6
1.73 + 9.2
Example of a Table for Reporting Total Pounds of Active Ingredient Applied by Chemical
Type
Chemical(s)
Total Pounds A.I. or A.E.
metsulfuron methyl
1.29
2,4-D
9.21
Clopyralid
2.78
Glyphosate
2.37
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 16
Appendix C
Oxy Tracking Forms for Cascade Creek
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 17
CASCADE CREEK - MESA Weed Management Status
Federal Surface Ownership
Infrastructure
Treatment Date and
Contractor Information
Noxious Weed Species Treated
PAR
PRIMARY ACCESS ROADS
Date
Contractor
Bareground Treated ?
(Y/N)
Annual (Non -noxious)
Burdock
Canada Thistle
Cocklebur
Hounds Tongue
co
L
2
—
==
3
g
G1
TE
Other - List species
below
Follow-up Treatment
Recommended? (Y/N)
Pesticide Application
Record Provided ? (Y)
CC Access Road 2-1 (Mesa access)
CC Access Road 2-2 (Mesa access)
CC Access Road 2-3 (Mesa access)
CC Access Road 2-4 (Mesa access)
Upper Loop Road
Lower Loop Road
WELLS/ACCESS ROADS/PIPELINES
Federal 23-15
Federal 604-11
603-23-32
604-1
604-12-13
604-12-13 Annex
604-44
605-1
605-2
605-13-22
605-23
608-41
608-43-31
609-1
609-2
609-14
609-33
610-22-43
610-24-43
616-21-32
617-41
697-04D
697-05C
697-06A
697-06D
697-08-53
697-08A
697-09-61
697-15B
697-15-01
697-15-23
697-15-54
697-16A
697-16A2
697-16D
697-16-16
697-16-28
697-17A
697-17B
GATHERING PIPELINES/COMPRESSORS/OTHER
Mesa Cuttings Disposal Area
Mesa Warehouse
Mesa Pipeline
Pond 2
Pond 3
Pond 4 (609-2 location)
Pond 7
Pond 13 E/W (aka Pond B)
Pond G
Water Supply Pond
Other (Specify):
CASCADE CREEK - VALLEY Weed Management Status
Federal Surface Ownership
Infrastructure
Treatment Date and Contractor
Information
Noxious Weed Species Treated
PAR
PRIMARY ACCESS ROADS
Date
Contractor
Bareground Treated?
(Y/N)
(sno!xou
-uoN) ienuuv
Burdock
Canada Thistle
Cocklebur
Hounds Tongue
Kochia
c
.a)
g
Thistle
Other - List species
below
Follow-up Treatment
Recommended?
(Y/N)
Pesticide Application
Record Provided ? (Y)
Conn Creek Access Road 1-1
Conn Creek Access Road 1-2
Conn Creek Access Road 1-3
Baker Canyon/aka E. Fork
WELLS/ACCESS ROADS/PIPELINES
Federal 708-11
Federal 797-08-19
Federal 797-08-51D
Shell 797-03A
Shell 797-03B
Shell 797-09A
617-24
620-1
620-21
620-24-43
620-33
620-43-32
629-01
629-2
629-23-42
629-31-11
632-13-22
632-21-41
697-17-50
697-20-28
705-22-43
797-05-36
797-05-52
797-06
GATHERING PIPELINES/COMPRESSORS/ OTHER
Central Water Facility
Control Facility
Conn Creek Plant 1
Conn Creek Plant 2
Field Office
Pond 10
Pond 12
Other (Specify):
CASCADE CREEK - LOGAN WASH Weed Management Status
Federal Surface Ownership
Infrastructure
Treatment date and contractor
information
Noxious Weed Species Treated
PAR
PRIMARY ACCESS ROADS
Date
Contractor
Bareground Treated
(Y/N)
0
z
= 0
a c
Burdock
Canada Thistle
Cocklebur
Hounds Tongue
Kochia
*(7)
3
'
Other - List species
below
Follow-up Treatment
Recommended?
(Y/N)
Pesticide Application
Record Provided ? (Y)
Mt. Callahan Road (East)
Logan Wash Road
WELLS/ACCESS ROADS/PIPELINES
Logan Trail 28-10
LW 796-16B
LW 796-17A
LW 796-17C
LW 796-19C
LW 797-23-16
LW 797-23-45AX
LW 797-23-47D
LW 797-27-13A
Shell 797-14-01
GATHERING PIPELINES/COMPRESSORS/OTHER
LT 28-10 Offloading Facility
Oxy Trail Ridge
Other (specify):
Appendix D
Sample Revegetation and Reclamation Plan
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 18
Sample Revegetation and Reclamation Plan
The proposed facility will be in operation for an anticipated period of approximately
during development and production of Oxy's natural gas production operations. Upon termination
of the development and production activities, the facility will be reclaimed, as outlined below:
• All equipment and structures will be removed.
• OXY will remove all safety and storm water BMPs, and other surface objects from the
premises.
• OXY will restore the site to pre -facility conditions by re -contouring and re -vegetating the
site. Top soil will be redistributed across the site and will be reseeded with an approved
seed mix (see attached seed mix recommendation).
• OXY will monitor the site to ensure that 70 percent of the pre-existing vegetation is
achieved, per the requirements of the area wide CDPHE Stormwater Permit for Cascade
Creek and Collbran Developments.
Seedbed Preparation and Slope Reconstruction:
Cut and fill slopes will be backfilled and re-contoured to a slope of 3:1 — 2.5:1 or less in instances
where necessary to match the existing natural contours. Following final contouring, all backfilled
or ripped surfaces will be covered evenly with topsoil. Re -contouring should form a complex
slope with heavy pocking. In areas with slope greater than 3 percent, imprinting of the seed bed is
recommended. Final seedbed prep will consist of scarifying/imprinting the topsoil prior to seeding.
Imprinting can be in the form of dozer tracks or furrows perpendicular to the direction of slope.
When hydro -seeding or mulching, imprinting should be done prior to seeding, unless the mulch is
to be crimped into the soil surface. If broadcast seeding and harrowing, imprinting will be done as
part of the harrowing. Furrowing can be done by several methods, the most simple 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 harrowing, always perpendicular to the direction of slope.
All compacted areas will be ripped to depth of 18" with max furrow spacing of 2'. Where
practicable, ripping will be conducted in two passes at perpendicular direction.
Topsoil: Following final contouring, all backfilled or ripped surfaces will be covered evenly with
topsoil. The topsoil in the cut slope on the back of the pad will be heavily pocked using the
excavator bucket to form an uneven soil surface complex which will aid in revegetation and help
with slope stabilization. The fill slope, and remaining disturbed, and reclaimed areas will be track
walked to aid in revegetation and slope stabilization. In areas that may not have been disturbed
during the reclamation process or areas of suspected compaction that will be reseeded,
measures will be taken to loosen and spread the topsoil. These measures may include scarifying
the soil by racking or harrowing the soil.
Seed Mix: Seed mix used for reclamation will be taken from the attached seed mixtures.
Seeding Procedures: For best results and success, the recommended grass mixture reseeding
should be done in late autumn in order to take advantage of natural precipitation for the region.
The reseeding rate should be doubled for broadcast application. Preferred seeding method is
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 19
multiple seed bin rangeland drill with no soil preparation other than simple grading to slope and
imprinting and waterbars, where applicable.
Alternative seeding methods include, but are not limited to:
• No -till -drill (no soil preparation required);
• harrow with just enough soil moisture to create a rough surface, broadcast seed and
reharrow, preferably at a 90 degree angle to the first harrow;
• hydro -seeding (most economical in terms of seed cost); 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.
The prepared soils will be seeded (weather permitting) no more than 24 hours following
completion of final seedbed preparation. The seeding will be conducted by means of drilling the
prescribed seed at prescribed seeding rate. The seed will be drilled with a common range drill at
a depth of 0.25 — 0.5" beneath the soil surface. The seed will be drilled horizontally across the
pad faces and perpendicular to the track walking when possible. When slope gradient less than
2.5:1 exists and drilling is not possible from a mechanical and safety standpoint the soils will be
broadcast seeded at twice the prescribed amount. The reseeding will be monitored and reseeded
as appropriate until the reclamation standards detailed above are met.
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 20
Appendix E
Noxious Weed Management Protocols for
Areas within the State Natural Areas
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 21
In addition to Oxy's noxious weed management objectives for its Piceance Basin operations, Oxy
has worked with the Colorado Natural Areas Program (CNAP) to develop additional guidance
documents to complement Oxy's Noxious Weed Management Plan. The guidance documents
provide detailed recommendations to address noxious weeds identified within the designated
State Natural Areas.
Additional measures that Oxy will take when practicable to take to manage noxious
weeds includes:
o Conduct pre -disturbance noxious weed inventories for proposed new activities,
including access roads, pipelines, well pads, communications towers, or other oil
and gas related facilities requiring ground disturbance.
o Construction vehicles that will be used in the State Natural Areas will be power -
washed to remove mud and debris from tires and the vehicle's undercarriage
before use on the site to reduce the spread of noxious weeds from other areas.
o Minimize to the extent possible oil and gas disturbance activities to soil and
native vegetation as much as possible.
o Reclaim temporary construction areas as soon as practical with native seed mix
or where appropriate a sterile hybrid.
o Restrict motorized travel to designated access roads and oil and gas facilities.
o Use CNAP prescribed native seed mix for revegetation efforts of disturbed areas
ready for reclamation.
o Protect cut and fil slopes against erosion with the use of water bars, lateral furrow
or other appropriate stormwater best management control measures.
o Conduct multiple visits to post disturbance areas during the growing season to
monitor and treat as needed for noxious weeds.
o Where feasible, follow CNAP's recommended Noxious Weed Treatment
Methods, which include prioritizing noxious weed treatment activities by focusing
on List A and B noxious weeds and associated treatment, utilizing integrated
treatment techniques (limiting chemical controls, increasing mechanical controls,
and utilizing qualified personnel familiar with the area to treat noxious weeds.
o Conduct mapping and monitoring of noxious weeds treatment activities.
To the extent practicable, Oxy will preplan all proposed oil and gas activities within the State
Natural Areas to ensure that only areas required to conduct safe oil and gas operations are
developed and utilized, which would include sizing of infrastructure in anticipation of future
development, centralizing wells and associated production units and tanks, and consulting with
CNAP for additional best management practices associated with development activities. For
existing facilities, Oxy will post and maintain signage that reaffirms only authorized personnel are
allowed in the area and that off -ROW excursions are prohibited.
Attached are CNAP specific noxious weed management guidance documents.
Cascade Creek Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 22