RECLAMATION ON THE BLACK MESA OF ARIZONA

Black Mesa is a 3200-sq-mile geologic remnant located exclusively on Indian lands of the Navajo and Hopi nations. Peabody Coal Co. plans to mine approximately 14,000 acres during the next 30 years. Lack of soil moisture and uncontrolled grazing of livestock are the major problems in getting an effective vegetative cover restablished. The reclamation plans of Peabody call for a regrading of the spoil material into topography that blends in with the adjacent natural landscape.