Laserfiche WebLink
iii iiiiiiiiniii iii <br />999 <br />Interoffice Memo <br />Date: January 19, 1999 <br />To: David Berry <br />Cc: Dan Hernandez, La en <br />From: Kent Gorha ~,'~~~ <br />RE: Basin Resources, Inc. 1999 OSM Award Application <br />Please find attached Basin Resources application for the 1999 OSM Excellence in <br />Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards. The application included one bound copy <br />and five, high-quality copies for use by the judges. <br />My recommendation is we forward the application to the Denver field office as an <br />outstanding example of reclamation of lands to a higher and better use under <br />SMCRA. Basin Resources reclaimed the land in accordance with the reclamation <br />plan in slightly more than one year from announced mine closure. Considering the <br />amount of equipment and facilities that required removal and disposal prior to any <br />significant earthwork, the short period of time until full reclamation of the disturbed <br />lands is even more notable. <br />As you are aware, this mine is located in prime wildlife habitat in an area of the State <br />that is relatively remote and dominated by large tracts of land under private <br />ownership. Basin Resources could have easily sold the 30,000 acres of land south <br />of Highway 12 to a private developer for sale as ranchettes. This land development <br />trend is increasing, not only in Las Animas County but also in many areas of the <br />west. However, due to the serious interest expressed by the Rocky Mountain Elk <br />Foundation and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Basin Resources withheld the sale <br />of this property until state agencies could tour and review the property for possible <br />purchase. In late 1998, the sale of the property to the Division of Wildlife was <br />consummated. Working with the Elk Foundation, DOW, GOCO, State Land Board, <br />and numerous other people and agencies was likely much more trouble than sale to <br />a private developer. I believe this shows a real corporate commitment to "giving <br />more than what you receive'. <br />724/98 <br />