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