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Because of the difficulty and inherent danger in accessing the base of the mine bench <br /> outslopes, the planting was conducted near the margins of Dutch Creek. This area was <br /> selected in order to minimize sediment contribution from areas adjacent to the creek, and <br /> to help stabilize the channel. Prior to planting, the students were taught the importance of <br /> establishing plant communities as part of the reclamation and stabilization process. Over <br /> 1,000 trees and shrubs were planted by the students. <br /> Education <br /> The annual meeting of the National Association of Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation <br /> Programs was held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in September, 2000. A paper was <br /> presented by the Division which discussed reclamation at Coal Basin. The paper <br /> emphasized the mine bench outslope revegetation effort, and the observations made <br /> during the preceding summer. The presentation included a discussion of the predicted <br /> project outcomes and suggestions for future project modifications. <br /> Measurement of Success <br /> In order to ascertain some measure of project success, direct sampling of the stream <br /> systems in Coal Basin was abandoned and evaluation of sediment yield from the <br /> individual outslopes was to be based upon sediment yield. <br /> A model recommended by the U.S. Geological Survey was evaluated in 1999 and 2000. <br /> Data from the model is presented in Tables 3, 4 and 5 at the end of the report. The model <br /> estimates sediment yield based upon observations of various physical parameters <br /> encountered at a given outslope. Factors such as slope stability, vegetative cover, <br /> geologic and soil characteristics, and gully flow dynamics are evaluated. A scoring <br /> system was developed based upon the evaluation of the observed characteristics. An <br /> estimation of sediment yield is then established based upon the rating given to an <br /> individual outslope. As one or more factors change relative to other factors, the sediment <br /> yield estimation is revised as the rating for the basin conditions change. It is important to <br /> note that we view this model as a means to evaluate relative erosion potential at the <br /> various mine bench outslopes, rather than as a definitive measurement of sediment <br /> generation. Therefore, actual rates of erosion and resultant sediment yield are not <br /> reflected in the model. <br /> 2004 Stabilization Project <br /> Site monitoring through the 2003 growing season indicated that the percent of vegetative <br /> cover was less significant than what was desired in order to sufficiently stabilize the <br /> outslopes. Therefore the Division determined that a second attempt at establishing <br /> vegetation at the outslopes would be made in the fall of 2004. In order to finance this <br /> effort, modifications to the Non-Point Source grant were made, including provision for <br /> additional funding. <br /> Construction <br /> A contract was bid in the summer of 2004. This contract contained many of the project <br /> specifications completed in 1999. Hand crews constructed approximately 3,500 small <br /> 9 <br />