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appropriate post-reclamation use of the facilities area. The <br /> Division attended meetings in 1995 and in early 1996 at the request <br /> of the Caucus to represent its perspective of how the reclaimed <br /> configuration would lend itself to the various use proposals. <br /> Ultimately, the Caucus recommended that the U. S. Forest Service <br /> manage the Basin. <br /> The Division was asked to lead a tour of the Mine area in early <br /> June for one of its most vocal critics, the Crystal River <br /> Environmental Protection Association. The tour was held on a <br /> Sunday afternoon, and was attended by about 60 people. The lower <br /> portions of the mine area were visited, including the areas <br /> reclaimed in 1995. The reclamation process was described, and <br /> conceptual reclamation plans were discussed. The tour was well <br /> received, and provided an opportunity to dispel the apparently wide <br /> held belief that the reclamation process was simply a facial make <br /> over of the mining disturbances. <br /> The Division hosted two tours of the mine area for local residents <br /> and interested public. Both tours were advertised in western slope <br /> newspapers from Grand Junction to Redstone. The first tour was <br /> held in early July, and was attended by about 50 to 60 individuals, <br /> including State Senator Linda Powers, Pitkin County Commissioners <br /> and representatives of Mid-Continent. The public was shown areas <br /> such as the Sutey Pile, and Mines 3 and 4 which were reclaimed in <br /> 1995. Areas to be reclaimed in 1996, including the Rock Tunnel, <br /> and Roads E, F, G and Mines 1 and 2 were toured. Successes as well <br /> as areas which need improvement were visited and discussed. <br /> A second public tour of the site was held in late September. The <br /> purpose of the tour was to show the areas reclaimed during the <br /> preceding construction season, particularly areas viewed by the <br /> public in July, such as the Rock Tunnel and Mines 1 and 2. <br /> Unfortunately, a snowstorm swept through the area the day before <br /> the tour, and ultimately, less than ten people attended the tour. <br /> All three public tours of the site generated very positive articles <br /> in local and regional papers. It is thought that the community has <br /> a much greater degree of trust and confidence in the Division now <br /> than it has in the past, largely due to the increased participation <br /> in the community and due to the willingness to discuss the <br /> reclamation process at Coal Basin. <br /> The Division has also strengthened its working relationship with <br /> other governmental agencies regarding Coal Basin. Both the Forest <br /> Service and the Office of Surface Mining have been relatively <br /> active at the site in 1996. The Division spent a total of about <br /> eight working days with Forest Service personnel in the field this <br /> year discussing past and conceptual reclamation. Forest Service <br /> representatives from the District and Regional offices have visited <br /> the site in conjunction with the Division. For the most part, <br /> these site visits were held for the purpose of discussing the <br /> 3 <br />