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?

[amethystguy]

This is almost a nail biting thread. Can't wait to hear what happens. It's sort of like a movie. Evil park ranger tries to shut down and hamper poor and downtrodden ammy scepter miner. Govt. vs. average american!!! I am glad you posted yesterday or I may have missed this thread. Lots of good info provided. Are the crystals found in vugs? Are they gas bubble vugs or are they interconnected by veins? Please keep us filled in as I have to know what happens.

[swizz]

It's sort of like a movie. Evil park ranger tries to shut down...

Yes!
I propose that we start a Bikini Car Wash to raise funds to save the mine!
[queue 70s hit song "Car Wash"/]
I'm IN