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III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 999 STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Deparimenl of Natural Resour[es 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 DIVISION O F Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: 13031866-3567 MINERAL S FAX: (303)832-8106 6+ GEOLOGY R E C L A M A T I O N MIN ING•SAFEiY February 3, 2000 Bdl Owens Mr. Henry Austin covemor Office of Surface Mining Greg E Watcher Etecunve Director 1999 Broadway Michael B. Lang Suite 3320 Divivon Director Denver, Colorado 80202-5733 RE: Year 2000 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards Nomination for Seneca II Mine (Colorado Permit No. C-80-005) Dear Mr. Austin: Enclosed please find Seneca Coal Company's (BCC's) nomination of the Seneca II Mine for the Year 2000 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards. SCC has submitted their nomination for both the National Coal Mining and Reclamation Award and the Director's Award. The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) recommends that SCC be considered for both of these awazds. SCC has achieved outstanding reclamation results in accordance with the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. SCC has maintained an excellent record of compliance during their reclamation having received no violations since 1995. While maintaining compliance, SCC has made a great effort to increase their reclamation activities over the past several years. Although SCC currently operates two additional active large surface mines near Seneca II, SCC dedicated the equipment and resources to complete their reclamation commitments at the Seneca II Mine in a timely manner. In 1998, SCC revised and improved designs for all post-mine drainage channels at the Seneca II Mine and was granted approval for their postmining drainage control plan. The DMG honored the Seneca II mine with [he Large Surface Mine Reclamation Award in 1999, for the substantial progress made in their overall reclamation program in 1998 and 1999. Much of the reclamation completed to date has been conducted on extremely steep terrain, particularly in the Wadge Area Pit. The coal seams mined dip at approximately 20-35%. The steep terrain and rough conditions have made reclamation activities very challenging. SCC has done an excellent job at recountouring the land by blending reconswcted drainage channels and revegetated areas with the natural surrounding terrain.