Excellence in Coal Reclamation: Preventative Measures to Ensure Public Safety
West Elk Mine – Permit No. C-1980-007

Mountain Coal Company (MCC) was recognized for their extraordinary efforts to protect public safety by reconstructing Monument Dam. The Monument Dam, impounding Minnesota Reservoir, was initially constructed in 1891. In order for longwall mining to progress it was necessary for MCC to take preventative measures to protect the dam from mine subsidence and seismic activity. No mining will occur beneath the reservoir.

Working with Minnesota Canal and Reservoir Company, the owner of the dam, MCC consulted with and negotiated the preventative measures and permitting through the Department of Water Resources – Office of the State Engineer, Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety, United States Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Colorado Water Quality Control Division.

MCC spared no expense as they undertook the preventative measures. These measures consisted of unloading a landslide on the south abutment, buttressing the downstream face of the dam, installation of a primary spillway valve and piping, installation of trench drains, gravel filter, clay liner, piezometers, inclinometers, rip-rapping the upstream face and emergency spillway. Also associated with the project were the installation of a total remote survey station and accelerometers for monitoring the dam for movement and seismic activity, both naturally occurring and mine-induced.

MCC was instrumental in providing the permitting, engineering design, and project management of construction activities for the Minnesota Canal and Reservoir Company. MCC was commended for their extraordinary efforts to help ensure public safety.

Excellence in Coal Reclamation: Innovative Reclamation Practices
Trapper Mine – Permit No. C-1981-010

Trapper Mining Inc. (TMI) was recognized for innovation in drainage construction at the Trapper Mine and for diligence in seeking Phase III bond release. TMI sent personnel to afluvial geomorphology course. Using the reclamation concepts learned in the class Trapper applied them to a reclaimed drainage at the mine site. TMI established a sinuous channel down a relatively steep slope. Instead of installing a series of rock check dams as TMI has constructed in older drainages, which frequently require maintenance after large precipitation events, TMI installed rock vanes in the new channel. The rock vanes perform a function similar to the rock check dams by slowing the runoff velocity and allowing sediment to drop out of the runoff while allowing the runoff to flow around the vane and reduce the amount of reconstruction needed after large storm events. The sinuous nature of the channel aids in reducing the runoff velocity as well. The drainage performed well during the 2008 season following a record snowfall year. Little or no maintenance was required.

Trapper Mining, Inc. was also commended for achieving Phase III bond release on 1068 acres in the past two years. TMI is diligent in reclaiming contemporaneously and manages to fulfill the bond release criteria for cropland and rangeland/wildlife habitat within the 10-year liability period. To date, TMI has achieved Phase III bond release on 2,921 acres.

Trapper Mining, Inc. was commended for the innovative reclamation practices and successful accomplishments in achieving Phase III bond release at the Trapper Mine.

Excellence in Coal Reclamation: Alternative Post Mining Land Use
Roadside Mine – Permit No. C-1981-041

Snowcap Coal Company, Inc., (Snowcap) is deserving of recognition for the permitting and implementation of an alternative land use reclamation plan involving a steep slope variance from approximate original contour. The plan allowed for retention of a mine bench and various facilities to accommodate a commercial postmining land use. Implementation of the plan included portal backfilling and highwall elimination, construction of a buried French drain system, demolition of mine related facilities that were not related to the commercial use, construction of a new access road and grading and seeding of areas not needed for the commercial use. The project area is immediately adjacent to Interstate 70, in Debeque Canyon, a few miles east of Palisade. Reclamation was completed in early 2008.

The new landowner, a local fruit grower with orchards nearby, is using the property for his large scale organic fruit operations. A former mine office on the lower level has been renovated and converted to a roadside retail fruit stand, that has operated for the last two years, while an adjacent former cafeteria/training building was converted to a refrigerated fruit storage using solar power. On the upper level, a former mine shop and warehouse is being used for equipment and supply storage. Various graveled and paved location are being used for additional storage and parking areas.

The project resulted in successful clean-up and stabilization of a former mining site, and through proper planning and implementation, allowed for retention of various existing facilities to facilitate a commercial postmining land use.

Excellence in Coal Reclamation: Steep Slope Reclamation
Munger Canyon Mine – Permit No. C-1981-020

CAM Mining, LLC (CAM) and J.E. Stover & Associates were recognized for excellence in steep slope reclamation at the Munger Canyon Mine. Munger Canyon is a small underground mine located in the Bookcliff’s, an area dominated by steep cliff and canyon topography. The mine portal and access road, covering nearly 11 acres, were constructed pre-SMCRA. A decision was made to permanently reclaim the mine in 2007.

Significant challenges associated with the project included construction of stable backfill slopes at grades up to 2H:1V, restoration of ten stable, high gradient ephemeral channels, and the need for effective stabilization measures to minimize erosion on the steep backfill slopes. These challenges were addressed through development of detailed reclamation specifications for bid documents, selection of a reclamation contractor with the proper equipment, operators and expertise to complete the project on schedule and in compliance with the approved specifications, and conscientious oversight of the project by CAM’s reclamation and permitting consultant, J.E. Stover & Associates. All slopes were extensively roughened by track-hoe gouging, and a quick growing annual cover crop was hand broadcast immediately following completion of surface roughening. Dormant season seeding of the permanent perennial seedmix was hand broadcast, followed by hand spreading and crimping of certified noxious weed-free straw mulch. Small stacks of straw bales had been scattered throughout the site by the contractor as grading operations were completed, since there was no vehicle access to most of the site following completion of grading.

Overall, the project was a success. The graded backfill slopes in the portal area and the steep roadcut blend into the adjacent steep slopes. The graded backfill slopes are stable and blend in very well with the adjacent topography. While there are segments of steep roadcut exposed along portions of the reclaimed road, the reclaimed road blends into the adjacent steep slope and outcrop topography. There has been minimal erosion to date and very little settling in the portal backfill.

CAM is deserving of recognition for an excellent job of planning, permitting, implementation and timely and successful completion of a challenging reclamation project on steep slopes.

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