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During development of the Mines, great quantities of rock, dirt and <br /> coal reject were cast over the edges of the mine benches. These <br /> long slopes of unconsolidated earthen materials are subject to f! ' <br /> severe erosion as a result of surface runoff from the mine bench <br /> above each slope. Erosion of the slope materials results in <br /> increased sediment delivery to Coal and Dutch Creeks, thus <br /> diminishing the quality of water in these streams and their <br /> tributaries. <br /> Similarly, runoff from the road drainage system has caused large <br /> gullies to form on the hillsides and within drainages below the <br /> road system. Continued erosion of the gullies results in increased/ <br /> sediment delivery to the streams and tributaries of Coal Basin. <br /> The Crystal River Valley community has been very interested and <br /> involved in both the mining and reclamation aspects of the Coal <br /> Basin Mine. At its zenith, the Mine was probably the largest <br /> regional employer. Unfortunately, the mine did have negative <br /> environmental impacts. Many residents of the Crystal River Valley- <br /> have become concerned about the environmental impacts of the mine <br /> upon the local stream systems. An ongoing interest in the <br /> reclamation process is prevalent. In order to help satisfy this--`"'- " <br /> interest, the Division has hosted a number of public meetings to <br /> discuss the reclamation process. Additionally, the Division has <br /> hosted public tours of the mine site for the purpose of exhibiting <br /> reclaimed and unreclaimed portions of the mine, and to discuss <br /> future reclamation goals and techniques. <br /> Coal Basin has been virtually inaccessible to the public in the <br /> past due to mining activities and previous land ownership. Local <br /> citizens and interested groups have been looking forward to <br /> preserving the Basin and providing for recreational activities. <br /> Partially in response to the local interest, the Forest Service <br /> recently acquired the property where the proposed project will be <br /> accomplished. Because of this historic interest in Coal Basin, an <br /> dd/ <br /> because the area was just recently placed in the public domain, � <br /> is anticipated that the nearby community of Redstone and other <br /> interested citizens will participate in the proposed project. <br /> The project is proposed because of the need to accomplish the <br /> watershed improvement aspects of the reclamation process. The need <br /> to accomplish this work has long been recognized, however, the <br /> vehicle to complete the work has not been available. This portion <br /> of the reclamation process can only be accomplished by intensive <br /> hand labor. Available funding is insufficient to contract a <br /> private sector labor crew. Further, the use of contract labor <br /> would minimize the involvement of the local community, an aspect of <br /> the overall reclamation project which the Division views as very <br /> important. <br /> Reclamation practices being employed by the Division are aimed at /'") <br /> alleviating the drainage diversion patterns prevalent along the (./ <br /> 3 <br />