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?

[realnice]

Quick update:

Got a call yesterday from a man in Utah who takes care of situations like mine.
His role:
Geologist - Locatable Minerals
M&GM - CNO
c/o Uinta Wasatch-Cache NF

He said that he had been sent a copy of my appeal and that he can help me with my situation and apologized for the idiots who run the FS over here. He asked me to temporarily withdraw my appeal. It sounds like they don't want to go through the costly appeal process. So now we are going to try and work something out outside of the appeals process. He also said that he doesn't normally call appellants,but he wanted to talk to me because my appeal was so well put together:).. Thanks to you all and especially CP! He wanted to set up a conference call with the Roosevelt NF district ranger on Monday but I am leaving for the airport early. He will be sending some info to me in Costa Rica so I will see what they are proposing soon I guess. So I'm feeling pretty good about this. I'll keep you guys posted when I get some more info:)

Forest Walker: where is that quote from??


realnice