Abstract
Yampa Mining Co., a Washington Group International, Inc. subsidiary, assumed all responsibility for final closure of the De-Na-Zin and Gateway coal mines located on state and Navajo Nation land adjacent to the federally protected Bisti Wilderness in San Juan County, New Mexico. Mining at De-Na-Zin began in 1980, disturbing 170 acres, while mining at Gateway began in 1982, disturbing 144 acres. Final reclamation activities included backfill of remaining pits, topsoil replacement, revegetation, sediment pond construction, environmental monitoring and extended permit responsibility. The mines were revegetated with a mixture of native shrubs and grasses planted before the normal summer monsoon season. Although the sites receive only 19.1 cm (7.5 inches) of rainfall per year, no irrigation was used. Dry land reclamation in this environmentally sensitive area included experimental soil amendments to improve soil chemistry, a 5-year erosion study, and application of native rock material. Areas receiving soil and rock amendments had increased vegetation cover versus non-treated areas. The De-Na-Zin Mine received Phase III release in August 2003, the first such release on Native Indian lands approved by the federal Office of Surface Mining. The Gateway Mine received Phase III release in January 2004. Additional
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