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ANNUAL REPORT <br /> COAL BASIN MINE RECLAMATION <br /> 2000 CONSTRUCTION <br /> Summary <br /> Reclamation at Coal Basin in 2000 was directed at completing the remaining major <br /> reclamation tasks, and accomplishing needed maintenance of previously reclaimed <br /> areas. <br /> The winter and spring of 2000 were relatively dry, with snow pack being somewhat <br /> lower than normal. The late spring was characterized by drier and warmer than normal <br /> conditions, resulting in an early, and relatively benign runoff in both Coal and Dutch <br /> Creeks. <br /> The summer of 2000 was extremely hot and very dry. Little precipitation occurred <br /> throughout the construction season, resulting in lower than expected revegetation <br /> success at areas seeded in 1999. <br /> Due mainly to the light snowpack, little, if any, new erosion was noted at previously <br /> reclaimed areas, including the Bear Creek and Facilities Project Areas, which were <br /> revegetated in the fall of 1999. As a result, no spring maintenance was conducted. <br /> Control of noxious weeds is becoming a greater concern as infestations are developing <br /> on reclaimed areas. Weed control was accomplished using both chemical and biologic <br /> methods. <br /> Approximately 48 acres of land were reclaimed during 2000. Reclamation of the <br /> remaining roads from the Lamphouse to Mines 1, 2 and 4 was completed, and <br /> approximately 20 sediment ponds were reclaimed to wetlands uses. Approximately <br /> 18,500 mixed species seedling trees were planted throughout the reclaimed areas. <br /> Public participation in the reclamation process continued to be successful. Public tours <br /> of the site were conducted and reclamation was discussed at community forums. <br /> Schools helped plant trees and participated in on-site reclamation workshops. A local <br /> environmental interest group, the Roaring Fork Conservancy, and the Division <br /> cooperated in sampling stream flows in and below Coal Basin. <br /> Interagency coordination and cooperation between the Division and the Forest Service, <br /> Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Department of Public Health and the <br /> Environment, Office of Surface Mining and the Environmental Protection Agency <br /> remains productive and efficient. On site meetings with each agency were conducted <br /> in order to ensure that all parties are knowledgeable about the reclamation process at <br /> Coal Basin. <br />