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Preservation of the Historic Ellison Rock Petroglyphs at the
Rosebud Mine
1982
1990
The Rosebud Mine, owned
and operated by Western Energy Company (WECo), is located
in Colstrip, Montana in Rosebud County (Southeastern Montana).
This reclamation project was conducted under Permit No. SMP
86003A. |
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| Ellison
Rock Prior to Mining |
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History of Mine: Western Energy Company (WECo) has operated
the Rosebud surface coal mine in Southeastern Montana since 1968.
Located in Rosebud County near the town of Colstrip, the Rosebud
mine produces approximately 10 million tons annually. The mine typically
disturbs and reclaims approximately 350 acres per year. The coal
seam is flat lying, uniformly 24 foot thick, and the coal is located
from 50 to 200 feet below the land surface.
In the early 1980's, a sandstone rock formation locally known as
Ellison Rock was located in an area that was to be mined for coal.
Ellison Rock, named for the late Claude Ellison, a local rancher,
was typical of the Southeastern Montana landscape; however, it contained
several outstanding petroglyphs or rock art done by ancient native
people.
Close-ups of Ellison Rock Petroglyhs.
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| Image
1 |
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| Image
2 |
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act protects cultural
resources by referencing the National Historic Preservation Act.
This provides that sites found eligible for the National Register
may be disturbed by mining only when the disturbance will have no
adverse affect on the site. There are two ways to achieve a "no
adverse effect" determination. The first way is to avoid disturbing
the site. Where this is not practical, the law does allow exceptions.
Destruction of an archaeological site may occur without an "adverse
effect" where full documentation and data recovery has been
carried out on the site.
In 1982, the Ellison's Rock Petroglyph site was formally determined
to be eligible for the National Register. In the same year, WECo
requested permission to mine through the site, based upon two criteria.
The first was the completion of the necessary comprehensive photographic
documentation and data recovery on the site between 1978 and 1982.
The second was the progressive physical deterioration of the panels
due to natural weathering. In July of 1983, the Montana State Historic
Preservation Office and the Office of Surface Mining concurred in
a finding of "no adverse effect" for Ellison's Rock and
approved mining through the site.
Reclamation Objectives: After WECo was given approval to
mine through the site, Bruce Waage, a Scientific Specialist at WECo,
proposed salvage of some of the panels for future display. Western
Energy Company (WECo) management approved the salvage proposal and
committed both manpower and equipment to the project. Different
salvage techniques were tested prior to one being selected as the
best technique for the salvage effort. The method selected (also
known as the Waage Method) involved outlining panels with holes
made using a rotary electric drill and physically removing them.
One problem remained -- how to keep the panels from breaking apart
as they became separated from the sandstone formation.
Petroglyph Removal Narrative: The following technique (Waage
Method) was developed for catching and handling the panels as they
were removed. As the drilling of each panel neared completion, a
dozer was used to push a berm of soft sand up to the base of the
panel. This berm was then pushed up to within two feet or less of
the petroglyph face to absorb the shock of landing. This method
also allowed the detached panels to be moved laterally on to loading
pallets for stress-free handling and minimal abrasion damage.
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| Drilling
of petroglyphs on Ellison Rock |
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| The
Waage Method |
Petroglyph Transport Narrative:
One panel depicting a shield-bearing warrior was donated to the
Montana Historical Society and is now on display at the new wing
of the museum in Helena. The remaining five petroglyph slabs were
stored in a company warehouse awaiting use.
After ten years of storage, a unique opportunity arose and the
petroglyphs have found a permanent home. The recent construction
of a new Northern Cheyenne Capitol Building in Lame Deer, Montana
provided the ideal display location. Western Energy Company approached
the Tribal Council for their approval of donating the petroglyphs
for display. Upon approval from the Tribal Council, the ingenuity
of the company employees was once again required to develop a method
to prepare, move, and display the rock art without damaging it.
Company carpenters constructed display cases to hold the rocks and
cut flat sections into the rocks with traditional handsaws so they
would lay flat and secure.
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| Preparing
the petroglyphs for transport to the Northern Cheyenne Capitol
Building in Lame Deer, Montana |
Because the soft sandstone rock is so fragile, it had to be supported
on the bottom to prevent any stress that could cause cracks or breakage.
Since each panel weighs hundreds of pounds, a special method was
developed to load and place the rocks in the display cases. In the
mine shop, an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) was modified so it could
lift the heavy load yet be small enough to move the rocks into the
Tribal building and place them into the cases.
The following method was developed for the transport of the rock
panels. Each rock was placed on a steel plate that supported the
rock and provided stress-free lifting points at each of the four
corners. The rock panels were then wrapped and strapped to the steel
plates in preparation for moving. A small open truck was used to
transport the panels to the Tribal building. Upon arrival, the modified
ATV lifted them out of the truck and carried them into the building.
Once in the building, each rock was lifted into a lighted case that
was designed and constructed to contain its unique shape and size.
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| Moving
the petroglyphs into the Little Wolf Tribal Capitol Building |
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| Placement
of the petroglyphs into the display cases |
Results: This part of the mine reclamation has now come
to a very special end. This exemplary effort by WECo and its employees
to salvage the petroglyphs and work with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe
on a permanent display location has resulted in the preservation
of artwork that can be appreciated for generations. This unique
reclamation project has developed cost-effective methods of petroglyph
salvage, as well as setting the standard of excellence for all mine
operators throughout the country.
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| The
petroglyphs on display today |
In the spring of 1993, WECo was the recipient of a National Office
of Surface Mining Reclamation Award for their outstanding work in
saving the historic petroglyphs.
Submitted by:
Robert Montgomery, Environmental Supervisor
Area C Office, Castle Rock Road
Colstrip, MT 59323
Phone: (406) 748-5186
rmontgom@ mtpower.com
Date: May 17, 2001
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