I noticed that TXU Monticello Mine in Titus County received a reclamation award for innovative environmental practices in reforestation, wetlands development and wildlife habitats. I congratulate them. But an award I would like to see them receive is one for making human habitats.

When first we were approached about building the Monticello Plant and the mining that would go with it, top officials of the company gave us an estimate of when land that they had mined would once more go into private hands and support humans and their needs. I see where notices in this paper indicate or say portions of the land have been taken out of control of the state and are now strictly controlled by Texas Utilities or one of its offshoots.

I understand the problem they had not anticipated about the land subsiding over the years and possibly making it difficult to build on. I wonder how long the power company plans to hold on to the thousands of acres they have mined and are mining? Do they plan a giant ranch? What are their ultimate plans for much of Titus County that they own?

Selfishly, I want to see people using this land that is no longer needed for mining. The power plants and the mines have been a powerful economic factor to this area, but that does not mean we should have no interest on how this land that has been mined and reclaimed for years is going to be used.

Will it be used to our benefit? I don't know.

It will be a day I will celebrate when some of that land passes into private hands and out of a giant corporation's hands.

[Comment: As I have indicated, it was my understanding that this land had to remain idle, free from human building and habitation, used only for pastureland, for 10 years after it was mined. However, the other day I was talking to Patricia McKelvey, whose previous farm was taken for mining, and she said that the land must remain idle for 100 years! I have no reason to doubt Patricia, but 100 years sure does seem excessive; and Mr. Palmer undoubtedly would agree with me. R.]