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]

Good work, that's the quote I was refering to but I didn't have all worded as the quote shows.
I think you are reading it correctly, so in other words, a disturbance below that 1600 sq ft would have to be a disturbance level less than significant or could even be classed as casual use?
You are the claim owner and it's got to be your call as to your work, the pit size and when you feel the disturbance does classify as "significant" according to the laws at hand.
If it's not a "significant disturbance of surface resources" then what does the FS think they are doing anyway?

CP