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Perhaps Colowyo's most impressive and important reclamation task during the 2010 <br />reclamation season dealt with topsoil replacement. Through the end of 2009 and most of <br />2010, Colowyo worked closely with members of the CDRMS and CDOW to create and <br />implement a ground-breaking Variable Topsoil Replacement Depth program for all <br />remaining topsoil replacement activities at the mine site. In short, this topsoil replacement <br />program was designed to mimic the natural depths of topsoil one would find in a typical <br />drainage, thus providing more suitable and specialized environments for woody species <br />reestablishment. Rather than a uniform depth of topsoil over an entire reclaim location, as <br />is the most common practice, Colowyo created some sites with extremely shallow topsoil <br />(ridge tops and topographically flat locations) designed at reducing grass stand <br />establishment and their resulting competition with shrubs for water and soil nutrients. <br />Colowyo also created additional sites (steep slopes and bottoms of drainages) with <br />extremely deep topsoil depths. These sites will ideally benefit woody species like aspen <br />and chokecherry. This non-uniform redistribution of topsoil will theoretically encourage <br />plant diversity and ultimately produce microclimates such as those found in nearby native <br />land. Colowyo strongly believes that increased plant diversity will lead to the ultimate goal <br />of specific post-mine land uses that vary from livestock grazing to sage grouse brood <br />rearing habitat to many types of hunting. <br />The 2010 reclamation season once again required enormous efforts and cooperation from <br />the entire Colowyo workforce. The deliberate, positive, and safe approach to the <br />reclamation of mined lands at the Colowyo Coal Mine is an exemplary example of its <br />commitment to the goals and objectives of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation <br />Act. <br />Colowyo thanks the Division in advance for its nomination consideration for a 2010 <br />Reclamation Award and looks forward to many more years of exemplary reclaim efforts. <br />Sincerely, <br />4?1 <br />Ryan Pawlowski <br />Environmental Engineer <br />Cc: Central Files 24.15 Reclamation Awards