How do you determine when your disturbance becomes significant?? Options

[realnice]

Hi all, im new to the site. Been prospecting for about 10 years here in Colorado. I hold a few mining claims and am wondering about determining significant disturbance on historically disturbed areas. An area where i have a claim has been logged and mined for a long time and the land shows it. It also has very heavy 4wd use. it is not very pristine at all. One of my claims is visible from the road so recently it has come upon scrutiny by the USFS. there is a 40 ft x 20 ft. worked area. The area is disturbed and is comprised of filled in diggs.
The 228.4 Plan of operations—notice of intent—requirements seem to fit my site as to not have to file a plan of operations, but one stipulation is...
(v) Operations, which in their totality,
will not cause surface resource disturbance
which is substantially different
than that caused by other users
of the National Forest System who are
not required to obtain a Forest Service
special use authorization, contract, or
other written authorization;

If they deem my operation to be causing significant disturbance what can they do? Arent they supposed to inform me to stop and complete a plan of operations? What are my rights here?

How do I appeal a desicion by the USFS?

[CP]

Hi Joey and welcome to the forums,

I've never heard of or read any law that states a 5ft sq limit at 18" of depth, where did you find that law or quote it from?

I don't think miners "have to" give any easements either but they may have to put up funds to move any real roadway within their plan should they desire to harvest a deposit beneath it. I've seen claims where roads and or rivers are redirected around the workings during the operations of the mine.

Dick, thanks for the input but I see no need to have this person provide proof of their claims validity to hold this discussion, all responses were made by those who offered them with the assumption that this person who said they have a claim in fact does. For the sake of the discussion I think there was some great info offered. Thanks everyone for your input, keep it coming.

CP