2009-01-16_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1994082

• Permit No: C1994082
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Date: 1/16/2009
• Doc Name: Nomination for Reclamation of the Year
• From: DRMS
• To: Vern P
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
January 16, 2009
COLORADO
D I V I S I ON OF
RECLAMATION
nkMINING
SAFETY
Mr. Gerald E. Schuman
11610 Blazer Road
Cheyenne, WY 82009
RE: Roy Karo Nomination for "Reclamationist of the Year"
Dear Mr. Schumann:
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
Harris D. Sherman
Executive Director
Ronald W. Cattany
Division Director
Natural Resource Trustee
I strongly support the nomination of Roy Karo for the American Society of Mining and
Reclamation's "Reclamationist of the Year". Roy supervises the reclamation at three large
surface mines in northwest Colorado: the Seneca II, Seneca 11-W and Yoast Mines. Reclamation
at these mines is challenging given the steep slopes, high altitude and extreme weather. I have
worked with Roy for years as a State regulator inspecting and permitting those operations.
The Seneca Coal Company (Seneca) mines are exemplary examples of successful reclamation in
the State of Colorado. The post mining land use at the mines is grazing land and wildlife
habitat. To establish this, Roy has implemented new and developing reclamation strategies over
the years including native shrub transplants grown from seed collected on-site, surface
roughening techniques, and reestablishment of aspen to name a few. Seneca has worked
cooperatively with Colorado State University, the Office of Surface Mining, the U.S. Forest
Service, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and our Division to research new reclamation
techniques. Results of the many efforts have been commendable as evidenced by the successful
grazing programs, the establishment of Columbian sharptail grouse leks, and the large herds of
deer and elk that utilize the reclaimed lands.
A tribute to Roy and his dedication to mined land reclamation are the numerous awards Seneca
has received. Seneca Coal Company has been recognized many times by the Colorado Division
of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, the Colorado Mining Association and the Office of Surface
Mining for outstanding reclamation.
Roy Karo is a dedicated professional who continually strives to improve reclamation on-the-
ground. I highly recommend he be considered as "Reclamationist of the Year".
Sincerely,
Sandra L. Brown
Sr. Environmental Protection Specialist
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines