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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 /> RECLAMA TION A CTIVITIES <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 />