GENERAL31311

• Permit No: C1981071
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 2/5/2002
• From: DMG
• To: OSM
• Permit Index Doc Type: GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resouroes
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
February 5, 2002
Mr. Jim Fulton
Office of Surface Mining
1999 Broadway, Suite 3320
Denver, Colorado 80202-5733
Dear Mr. Fulton:
DIVISION OF
MINERALS
GEOLOGY
RECLAMATION
MINING•SAFETY
Bill Owens
Governor
Greg E. Walther
Executive Director
Michael B. Long
Dims~on Dnecror
The Division of Minerals and Geology is forwazding to you the enclosed nomination of Mine 1
and the Eckman Pazk Mine for the Special 25`~ Anniversary of the Surface Mining Law Awards.
Mine 1/Eckman Park warrants national recognition based on the following awazd criteria.
Difficulty of reclamation -The mine is in an azea that has steep slopes, flashy run-off, a
short growing season, and an azid climate. Prior to mining, there was significant public
concern voiced about impacts on wildlife habitat, especially elk.
On-site effectiveness -The operator used several innovative reclamation techniques for
successfully overcoming the difficult conditions, including: extensive contour furrows on
hill-slopes, live-haul transplanting of woody shrubs, and aggressive efforts at re-establishing
aspen trees. Elk migration pathways were monitored for several years using radio collars, ear
tags, and aerial surveys. The reclaimed mine area is now productive grazing land and wildlife
habitat. The site provides valuable habitat for elk and other large game. The elk population
was not adversely affected by mining. The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, another species
of concern, is more abundant on the site than prior to mining.
Transferability of technique -Reclamation methods that are readily transferable to other
western coal mines include: widely-spaced contour furrows, live-haul transplanting of
woody shrubs, and forcing suckering along the edges of aspen groves. Some of these
techniques have been used on other mines in Colorado.
Increased public awareness of the Surface Mining Law -Over the yeazs the mine has
hosted numerous school and college field trips, participated in cooperative field studies with
a variety of government agencies, and conducted a populazbig-game hunting program for
physically-challenged hunters. The mine recently donated its herbarium, a large collection of
dried plants, to a local nature and culture center. As one of the largest bond-released tracts in
the western U.S, the mine effectively demonstrates how mining and reclamation can be
successfully conducted in the region under the Surface Mining Law.