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In 1996, Pitkin County filed suit against Resources alleging that it was owed a significant <br />amount of money in back taxes and accrued interest. In the summer of 1997, the Division was <br />impleaded into the case by the two parties. The pleading stated that the Division was an <br />indispensable party to the proceeding, and requested that the Division provide an accounting of <br />funds expended, and an estimate of the amount of money necessary to complete all future <br />reclamation work at Coal Basin. The Division has agreed to provide an accounting to the parties. <br />Given the lawsuit, the Office of the Attorney General is playing an active role in this on -going <br />litigation. <br />RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES <br />In 1995, the Division began the task of designing and bidding reclamation jobs at Coal Basin. In <br />1995, reclamation of the Sutey and Old Refuse Piles was completed. Additional jobs which were <br />contracted and completed included the reclamation of Mine 4 and Mine 3. Approximately 49 <br />acres were reclaimed in 1995 during completion of these projects. This figure represents all <br />acreage backfilled, graded and revegetated. Normal mine site maintenance, particularly of the <br />road side ditch and culvert system was completed as well. Late in the summer of 1995, it was <br />observed that the Dutch Creek Flume had suffered substantial damage as a result of the <br />extremely heavy spring runoff. Emergency repairs were undertaken in late October, 1995 in <br />order to sufficiently stabilize the flume so that it would remain functional for an additional two <br />or three years. <br />1995 also saw the initiation of revegetation demonstrations on the steep slopes below the mine <br />benches. Projects involving the creation of artificial benches on the slopes, and utilization of <br />spray -on erosion control blankets were initiated. <br />The Division was involved in the community by hosting a public meeting in the spring of 1995 <br />to explain the reclamation planned for the upcoming year. A tour of the site was also conducted <br />during the summer for interested citizens. However, it was at this time that it became apparent <br />that additional time and resources should be dedicated to citizen involvement in the reclamation <br />process. <br />Significant reclamation related activity occurred at the Coal Basin Mine during 1996. Public <br />involvement at the site and Division presence in local communities was strengthened. <br />Interaction with other concerned agencies, particularly the Forest Service, Office of Surface <br />Mining, and Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, was increased, focused <br />and constructive. <br />As a result of four reclamation construction projects, about 91 acres were reclaimed in 1996. <br />The projects undertaken in 1996 included reclamation of the Rock Tunnel entry area, the Rock <br />Dump Waste Pile, Mines 1 and 2, and reclamation of Roads E. F, and G which lead to Mines 3 <br />and 5 from the Rock Tunnel area. An additional fifteen acres revegetated in 1995 were reseeded <br />as well. Results of the 1995 revegetation projects were qualitatively evaluated. New test plots <br />3 <br />