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surface by deeply ripping the compacted running surface using a small dozer. Water bars will be re-established and all areas will be revegetated. This Project, which is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Interior, is scheduled to begin in mid to late June and should be completed by late July, 2002. Mine Bench Outsloae Revegetation Proiect: The long, steep slopes located below the mine entries are known as Mine Bench Outslopes. Seven Mine Bench Outslopes are present in Coal Basin. The Division believes that these features have been the greatest contributors of sediment to Coal and Dutch Creeks from mining related disturbances. Three of these Outslopes have been successfully revegetated. Of these three Outslopes, two were revegetated in 1997 and one in 1999. The remaining four Outslopes were also revegetated in 1999, however hot, dry conditions in the fall of 1999 and summer of 2000 resulted in a less than adequate vegetative cover. In an effort to minimize erosion and sediment generation from these four slopes, a second attempt at revegetation will be undertaken in 2002. To aid in this effort, the Forest Service has provided $50,000 to the Division for use for this Project. Other funding is being provided by the Division and by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment. The general plan is to apply organic materials to the four slopes, and work it into the Outslope material. Thousands of small benches per acre will be constructed to provide germination sites. Fertilizer, seed and mulch with a tackifier will be applied to the slopes. Trees may be planted in bands across the face of each Outslope to provide deeper soil stabilization. Vegetative sediment barriers will be constructed at the base of three Outslopes. Dense stands of shrubs will be planted at the toe of three slopes to slow water velocities and encourage sediment deposition. It is likely that a helicopter will be used extensively during this Project. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin September 23, and should be completed by October 5, 2002. Miscellaneous Projects: As in the past, we will hire a contractor to spray noxious weed infestations at Coal Basin. Generally, the infestations are most significant near the confluence of Coal and Dutch Creeks. Our 2002 efforts will focus on weed populations in this area. Minor earth work may be accomplished as needed for the purpose of maintaining previously reclaimed areas. This will be largely restricted to rill and gully repair, and re-seeding. This work will be accomplished on an as-needed basis. One location which has regularly needed maintenance is the large culvert which passes water from the Sutey Refuse Pile under the road to the Sutey Refuse Pile Ponds. It is my understanding that this road is on the Forest, with an easement provided for use by private land owners further up Coal Creek. An alternative to continually maintaining a clear water way may be removal of the culvert and construction of a low water crossing. We are aware, however, that construction