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Because of the difficulty and inherent danger in accessing the base of the mine bench <br />outslopes, the planting was conducted near the mazgins of Dutch Creek. This azea was <br />selected in order to minimize sediment contribution from areas adjacent to the creek, and <br />to help stabilize the channel. Prior to planting, the students were taught the importance of <br />establishing plant communities as part of the reclamation and stabilization process. Over <br />1,000 trees and shrubs were planted by the students. <br />Education <br />The annual meeting of the National Association of Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation <br />Programs was held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in September, 2000. A paper was <br />presented by the Division which discussed reclamation at Coal Basin. The paper <br />emphasized the mine bench outslope revegetation effort, and the observations made <br />during the preceding summer. The presentation included a discussion of the predicted <br />project outcomes and suggestions for future project modifications. <br />Measurement of Success <br />In order to ascertain some measure of project success, direct sampling of the stream <br />systems in Coal Basin was abandoned and evaluation of sediment yield from the <br />individual outslopes was to be based upon sediment yield. <br />A model recommended by the U.S. Geological Survey was evaluated in 1999 and 2000. <br />Data from the model is presented in Tables 3, 4 and 5 at the end of the report. The model <br />estimates sediment yield based upon observations of vazious physical pazameters <br />encountered at a given outslope. Factors such as slope stability, vegetative cover, <br />geologic and soil chazacteristics, and gully flow dynamics aze evaluated. A scoring <br />system was developed based upon the evaluation of the observed characteristics. An <br />estimation of sediment yield is then established based upon the rating given to an <br />individual outslope. As one or more factors change relative to other factors, the sediment <br />yield estimation is revised as the rating for the basin conditions change. It is important to <br />note that we view this model as a means to evaluate relative erosion potential at the <br />various mine bench outslopes, rather than as a definitive measurement of sediment <br />generation. Therefore, actual rates of erosion and resultant sediment yield aze not <br />reflected in the model. <br />2004 Stabilization Project <br />Site monitoring through the 2003 growing season indicated that the percent of vegetative <br />cover was less significant than what was desired in order to sufficiently stabilize the <br />outslopes. Therefore the Division determined that a second attempt at establishing <br />vegetation at the outslopes would be made in the fall of 2004. In order to finance this <br />effort, modifications to the Non-Point Source grant were made, including provision for <br />additional funding. <br />Construction <br />A contract was bid in the summer of 2004. This contract contained many of the project <br />specifications completed in 1999. Hand crews constructed approximately 3,500 small <br />