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COAL BASIN WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT <br /> PROTECT PLAN <br /> (DI) Project Mission and Objectives <br /> Mission Statement <br /> The project will improve the quality of the watershed within Coal Basin by stabilizing highly <br /> erosive mined land areas through revegetation and erosion control; teach Corps Members <br /> practical skills in revegetation, erosion control, wildlife habitat improvement and mined land <br /> reclamation; and involve the local community in the restoration process. <br /> Corps Members are an integral part of fulfillment of the goals of the proposed project. The <br /> project is geared toward minimizing erosion, containing sediment and healing of existing <br /> erosional features by the planting of trees and shrubs, and by construction of erosion control <br /> structures. Reclamation practices being employed by DMG are aimed at the mine benches, <br /> outslopes and alleviating the erosion caused by the road system. Stabilization of the gullies <br /> which have developed below road drainage outlets and on the mine bench outslopes will be <br /> accomplished through revegetation techniques and construction of erosion control structures. <br /> Background <br /> The Coal Basin Mine is located southwest of Carbondale in Pitkin County, and covers 11,000 <br /> acres, of which 430 were disturbed by coal mining activities. The coal mine operated from <br /> about 1954 through 1991, producing approximately one million tons of coal per year. The <br /> operator of the mine, Mid-Continent Resources was unable to complete reclamation activities <br /> at the mine and the Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) began reclamation activities using <br /> private contractors in 1994. Over 150 acres have been reclaimed to date. <br /> During development of the mine, great quantities of rock, soil and coal waste were cast over the <br /> edges of the mine benches. These long slopes of unconsolidated earthen materials are subject <br /> to severe erosion as a result of surface runoff. Erosion of the slope materials results in <br /> increased sediment delivery to Coal and Dutch Creeks, thus diminishing the quality of water in <br /> these streams and their tributaries. <br /> Similarly, runoff from the road drainage system has caused large gullies to form on the hillsides <br /> and within drainages below the road system. Continued erosion of the gullies results in <br /> increased sediment delivery to the streams and tributaries of Coal Basin. (See map and <br /> description in Appendix) <br /> 4 <br />