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Historical and Cultural Resources |
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The Western Energy Company operates the Rosebud Coal Mine adjacent to the town of Colstrip, Montana. 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. Enlarged Photo (25 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
Under the Surface Mining Law all mine sites are subject to the cultural resource protection of the National Historic Preservation Act. This provides that National Register-eligible sites may be disturbed by mining only when the disturbance will have no adverse affect on the site. Thus in the case of rock art sites at surface mines, there are two ways to achieve a "no adverse effect" determination. The first and most desirable means is to simply 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.
Enlarged Photo (30 KB file) 
In 1982, the Ellison's Rock Petroglyph site was formally determined to be eligible for the National Register. In the same year, Western Energy 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 regulatory agency, 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.Enlarged Photo (22 KB file) 
Bruce Waage, a wildlife biologist, was Environmental Coordinator at the Rosebud Mine during the deliberation about the Ellison's Rock site. After permission was given to mine through the site, Bruce had the idea of trying to salvage some of the panels, possibly for use in a future Colstrip Historical Museum. One possible technique involved outlining panels with holes made using an electric drill, and physically removing them. With the support of his supervisor, Bruce actually experimented on a blank sandstone face near the Ellison's site during 1986, to test the feasibility of the method. Enlarged Photo (24 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
The results were encouraging. Bruce used a dual-action electric drill, which operates either as a conventional rotary drill or in an impact (hammer) mode. The relatively soft, friable sandstones of the project proved too weak for the use of the impact mode, practically disintegrating the rock from the shock. The rotary drilling mode worked relatively well, allowing drilling rates of seven inches per minute on the average. After some experimentation, a two-stage drilling technique evolved. The first set of holes outlined the panel, drilled perpendicularly into the rock face. A second set of deep holes was then drilled angling in behind the panel, from outside the panel limits.
Enlarged Photo (28 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company 
The theoretical problems became real in the Fall of 1987, with the decision to begin mining through the site. Bruce approached the mine managers with a salvage proposal, and got approval for both manpower and the use of heavy equipment. By the time the project was approved, however, the drilling and blasting schedule for Ellison's Rock portion of the mine was a little over a month away.
Enlarged Photo (35 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
The first challenge was physical access to the panels. The pre-mine drilling in the area had resulted in the grading of a drilling pad next to the Rock. This left the petroglyph panels perched high and dry, 15 feet above the pad. A dozer had to be used to push a shallow ramp up to the base of the panels, using the loose sandy overburden of the area. This provided access, as well as a working 'bench" at the base of the petroglyphs. Ironically, it was the building of this ramp that suggested the technique for catching and handling the panels as they were detached. As the drilling of each panel neared completion, the dozer was used to push a berm of soft sand up to the base of the panel. This berm would be pushed up to within two feet or less of the petroglyph face, and would absorb the shock of landing. It also allowed the detached panels to be shoved sideways into loading pallets for stress-free handling, with minimal abrasion damage.Enlarged Photo (25 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
Loading and transporting the panels proved relatively easy, thanks to the sand berm. A cargo pallet was laid next to the detached panel, dug into the sand. A "pad" of loose sand was built up on the surface of the pallet. The panel was then slid or pushed sideways from the berm into this pad. The pallets could then be handled by a conventional fork-lift, with the pallet taking up most of the stress. 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 potential use in a proposed Rosebud County Museum in Colstrip.Enlarged Photo (24 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
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 has provided the ideal location. However, the effort needed to prepare, move, and display the rock art without damaging it in the process again required the ingenuity of the company employees. As carpenters constructed display cases to hold the rocks others cut flat sections into the rocks with traditional hand saws so they would lay flat and secure. Enlarged Photo (27 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company 
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 weighed hundreds of pounds special equipment had to be constructed 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 carry the rocks into the Tribal building and set them into the cases. Each rock was supported with a steel plate that provided stress free lifting points at each of the four corners.Enlarged Photo (29 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
The rock panels were 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. When they arrived the modified ATV lifted them out of the truck and carried them into the building.
Enlarged Photo (29 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
Placing the panels in the cases
Additional information about the Ellison's Rock petroglyphs can be found in:
Rock art or native American petroglyphs
Removing the petroglyph
An important wildlife habitat
Eagle Rock after mining and reclamation
Mitigation of an historical/archaeological site known as the Caballo Creek Rifle Pits
Artifacts now displayed at the local museum
Mining around a cemetery
The modified ATV was designed to fit through the doors and around tight corners without causing damage to the new building or the rock panels. Each rock was lifted into a case that was constructed to contain its unique shape and size.
Enlarged Photo (24 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
Relocation complete
As the truck was moved out of the building the case was closed and lighted. This part of the mine reclamation has now come to a very special end. In the Spring of 1993, the Western Energy company was the recipient of a National Office of Surface Mining Reclamation Award for their outstanding work in saving the Petroglyphs. Now, five years later this exemplary effort by the company and its employees can be seen again. And, although this is unique, it sets the standard of excellence for all mine operators throughout the country.
Enlarged Photo (26 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
The petroglyphs today
After a Fall 1998 dedication ceremony, the Little Wolf Capitol Building became the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Center in Lame Deer. A short distance from the Little Bighorn Battlefield site, the rock petroglyphs now provide inspiration and enjoyment for all. The Little Wolf Capitol Building is open to the public from 9 to 5 daily and if you are in the area stop by and see the rock art. This display is a reminder of ancient peoples and the dedicated sprit of modern day individuals that took the extra steps to ensure that the art will remain for generations to come.
Enlarged Photo (30 KB file) Photo credit: Bruce Waage, Western Energy Company
Identifying cultural and historical resources
Many archaeological finds have been identified near this Montana mine site, including several outstanding native American petroglyphs or rock carvings on Ellison Rock. Required mitigation consisted of a photographic record and an archeological description of the rock art. However, the company went above and beyond these minimum requirements by removing slabs from the sandstone rocks to safeguard the petroglyphs. Enlarged Photo (30 KB file)
Native Americans and early settlers carved images in the soft sandstone as they traveled past the rock outcrops. Today their art work provides a record of both their art and their history. Under the Surface Mining Law, mitigation of significant sites covers a range from avoidance, the preferred measure, to large-scale excavation with the goal being to collect important information about past cultures. Enlarged Photo (22 KB file)
This petroglyph is being removed by company employees prior to beginning the mining operation. During the archeological process, a new method of removing rock art panels was developed. Known as the "Waage Method" the process was named after the mining company environmental coordinator, Burce Waage, who is shown here directing the painstaking extraction of the petroglyph from the soft sandstone. This petroglyph is now on display at the Montana Historical Society museum in Helena. Enlarged Photo (20 KB file)
Colstrip, Montana coal mine saves unique site during mining and reclamation
While developing the permit to mine, company employees identified a large sandstone outcrop locally known as "Eagle Rock." The unique feature, located in the middle of the coal reserve, had special aesthetic value and contained unique wildlife habitats. People know the site historically as "Farley Lookout," a camp site of ancient native peoples. A plan was developed to mine around the outcrop instead of mining through the area and destroying it. Enlarged Photo (29 KB file)
The extensive rock outcrop provided an important habitat for both birds and animals. The natural weathering of the rock provides nesting areas and cover for a wide variety of wildlife in this open prairie landscape. Mining around this unique feature preserved its features and provided a natural habitat that eliminated much of the disturbance to wildlife that occurs during the mining and reclamation process.
Enlarged Photo (27 KB file)
Today Eagle Rock remains a local landmark and this unique ecological and historical niche continues to be a part of the Montana landscape. The foresight of the company in recognizing the unique feature and using special mining and reclamation techniques to save it will be appreciated by many generations to come. Enlarged Photo (29 KB file)
Located outside Gillette, Wyoming, this is an important archaeological site where in 1865 the James Sawyers Wagon Road Expedition camped and dug rifle pits to protect against a possible raid by Sioux and Northern Cheyenne Tribes. The site was eligible for the National Register of Historical Places. Although the discovery of projectile points and prehistoric bones is common in this part of Wyoming, archeological excavation of historical sites is not. The enhanced public awareness, while achieving mitigation at this site, has provided a new dimension to planning and permitting surface coal mines. Enlarged Photo (36 KB file) Photo credit: Laurel Vicklund, RAG Coal West, Inc.
Community participation in the actual archaeological fieldwork
During the mitigation work, members of the local community were given the opportunity to watch and participate in the actual archaeological fieldwork. Public tours and work sessions were organized and under the direction of the lead archaeologist for the project, presentations were given. Citizens were encouraged to participate in the excavation by sifting material extracted from one of the pits.
Enlarged Photo (35KB file) Photo credit: Laurel Vicklund, RAG Coal West, Inc.
Artifacts found included several .58-caliber lead balls, some .38-caliber balls, metal buttons, wagon parts, and about 80 nails of various sizes. The artifacts found at the site are now on display at a museum in Gillette. Enlarged Photo (20 KB file)
Section 761.11 of the federal regulations prohibits mining disturbance within 100 feet of a cemetery. At this Kentucky site the operator mined around the cemetery and during reclamation, graded the land to it's original topography so it blended with the undisturbed area near the cemetery. In addition, during reclamation the operator reconstructed and improved the road into the cemetery. Today with reclamation complete, the cemetery has increased accessability and the mined area around it is indistinguishable from the surrounding landscape.
Enlarged Photo (56 KB file)
