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]

Interesting letter for sure.
I'd say the ranger needs to study up alot more as he still doesn't understand he has no authority over mining. Be very careful and don't let them over step their delegated authority of only surface resources. That only falls into timber or agriculture.....mining is not in one of those catagories of their authoirty no matter how many times they try to say it is.....mining is not under their depts regulation. (scope of cfr he quoted states it)

There are more details that will be posted for the other claim owners ordeals with the FS but after lengthy discussions with that claim owner (CP club member), we've decided it would be best to post those details in the protected area of the forums where all the club members can use/learn from them, but still keep the undesirables (enviro nuts etc) reading the forums from taking advantage of those details.
They are that deciding and overpowering yes!.......very worth while knowing but yet too sensitive to let fly out in the open forum area.
For anyone reading who wishes to know about those details (who wouldn't?), check the club members protected section of the forums.....you'll be blown away! Not a club member yet? Now is a great time to join up and find out the truth, your rights, and how to enact upon them!

Realnice, I'll be sending you a pm to discuss a bit more in detail for your situation.

CP