HomeMy WebLinkAbout20252833.tiffN.1861 y'.v.
COUNTY, CO
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISIONERS
(970) 400-4200
1150 O St., P.O. Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632
October 13, 2025
RE: Nomination Letter for the Jack Starner Memorial Reclamation Award
Project: Ashbaugh Mine Reclamation - Weld County, Colorado
October 10, 2025
Dear Selection Committee,
It is with great pride that we nominate Weld County Public Works for the 2025 Jack Starner Memorial
Reclamation Award in recognition of the successful reclamation of the Ashbaugh mine site. This
project exemplifies the perseverance, innovation, and multi -divisional collaboration required to
restore arid disturbed lands to productive and ecologically valuable use under challenging
environmental and social conditions.
Mining plans began in 2005 with mining operations starting in 2006. 94,925 tons of material was
removed during the operation of the gravel pit to enhance the gravel roads in northeastern Weld
County. Removing the hill material from 22.4 acres for the gravel changed the contour of the
parcel creating a unique and challenging terrain for snow accumulation, ponding, changing winds,
and the material that was left for re-establishing grasses to allow the property to continue to be
utilized for livestock grazing.
The seed mix created in August of 2013 included native species that typically grow in northern Weld
County and have lower moisture requirements as well as are readily utilized by livestock and wildlife.
This mix included buffalograss, little bluestem, sideoats grama, blue grama, switchgrass, western
wheatgrass and sand dropseed. The proposed seeding rate was 13.25 pounds of pure live seed per
acre. The official reclamation process began in 2016 with the initial placement of four to six inches
of topsoil, totaling 4300 tons. The initial seeding and crimping of straw mulch followed to take
advantage of the topsoil placement.
Over the next two years, spot treatments were made by the Weld County Weed Division to address
any noxious weed thistles that germinated in the gravel pit while the grasses were establishing. The
landowner refused to keep livestock off the site during the winter months stressing the grasses during
establishment. Even with the drought like conditions, frequent high winds and grazing this initial
seeding was moderately successful on half of the gravel pit. In 2018 an additional five acres was
reseeded.
In 2019, Weld County asked for a release of the site. However, the landowner was not happy with
the establishment of the vegetation and believed it could be better. Cheatgrass had also moved
into the pit. The winds had exposed rocks that the landowner was concerned with for his livestock
and utilization of the property.
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During the winter of 2019/2020 the Weld County Weed Division treated the site with Esplanade
200SC to address the cheatgrass and provide the perennial grasses a chance to continue
establishing without the competition from the annual grasses. During this time the Weld County
Mining Division partnered with the Weld County Sheriff's Office Alternative Sentencing Program to
provide labor for the removal of the cobbles as the landowner requested. This manual labor was
essential in helping address the landowner concerns in a timely and effective manner.
Throughout the project, Weld County Public Works staff worked with the landowner to build trust
and cooperation after the change in ownership during the life of the gravel pit. This was
accomplished with multiple meetings on site to listen to their concerns and brainstorm ways we
could try to resolve the issues working together. It became a give and take relationship. Ultimately
the ecosystem won.
In 2023, an additional 2 acres were reseeded in direct response to landowner's feedback. This
final effort, combined with years of monitoring, adaptive management in terms of herbicide
treatments, plant selection and other operations culminated in the full release of the site by the
Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety in 2025. Along with a satisfied landowner
who can utilize the site for his livestock.
The project successfully restored the site to native pasture grass, enhancing both landowner utility
and wildlife habitat. The area now supports a diverse range of species' native to the northeastern
Colorado plains, contributing to regional ecological resilience. This project stands as a model of
long-term commitment, inter -agency collaboration, and landowner engagement in the face of
environmental and logistical adversity. Weld County Public Works demonstrated exceptional
stewardship and innovation throughout the nearly decade -long process exploring new options
for grass establishment, weed control and other physical options for rock removal and fencing.
Throughout the entire project, from 2016 through 2024, Weld County has experienced drought
conditions. Notably hotter and drier years during this project included 2018, 2020 and 2022. During
this same timeframe the area also experienced blizzards in March of 2016, March of 2019, March
of 2021, and December of 2022. However, the weather conditions never stopped the forward
movement of the project.
We respectfully submit this nomination in recognition of the County's dedication to responsible
land reclamation and their embodiment of the values honored by the Jack Starner Memorial
Reclamation Award.
Sincerely,
Perry L. duck
Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners
970-336-7204
2
Curtis Hall
Weld County Public Works Director
970-400-3721
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