Mined Land Reclamation

Managing Shrub-Infested, Postmined Pasturelands With Goats and Cattle. Part I: Effect on Botanical Composition and Browse Species

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:36:04 -0500

Managing Shrub-Infested, Postmined Pasturelands With Goats and Cattle Part II. Effects on Forage Biomass, Nutritive Values, and Animal Performance

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:41:50 -0500

Powell River Project - Enhancing Wildlife Habitat on Reclaimed Mine Lands

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:45:06 -0400

We monitored wildlife use of reclaimed mine land areas of varying ages and vegetation types at two locations in southwestern Virginia in May through July of 2007 and 2008. Bird, salamander, and frog communities were studied to gain an understanding of how site use and species composition were affected by postmining vegetation characteristics. Mined-land communities were compared with wildlife communities in nearby nonmined forests to better understand how mining and reclamation practices affect wildlife. Here, as an outcome of that study and considering prior research, we provide recommendations for reclamation practices to enhance use of mined land by wildlife.

Powell River Project - Passive Treatment of Acid-Mine Drainage

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:26:21 -0400

Acidic mine drainage (AMD; also called “acid rock drainage” or “acid drainage”) is an environmental pollutant that impairs water resources in mining regions throughout the world. Where such treatment is required legally, treatment must be efficient and continual. Treatment methods are commonly divided into either “active,” meaning reliance on the addition of alkaline chemicals to neutralize the acidity, or “passive.” The term “passive treatment” means reliance on biological, geochemical, and gravitational processes. Passive treatment does not require constant care or the chemical reagents that characterize “active” AMD treatment.

Powell River Project - How to Restore Forests on Surface-mined Land

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:08:01 -0400

Most coal-bearing lands in the Appalachian region were forested prior to mining. The region’s forests are predominantly upland oak-hickory and Appalachian mixed hardwoods. These forests provide many benefits to landowners and the public. Solid wood and paper products are perhaps the most tangible benefits, but a predictable flow of high-quality water from forested watersheds into regional streams is another vital benefit provided by the region’s forests. Forests also fix carbon from the atmosphere, provide wildlife food and cover, and provide recreational opportunities and an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Powell River Project - Reforestation Guidelines for Unused Surface Mined Lands in the Eastern United States

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:24:55 -0400

More than a million acres in the Appalachian region were surface mined for coal under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) (US OSM 2008). Much of this land was reclaimed using practices intended to stabilize the surface, prevent erosion, and establish herbaceous vegetation suitable for grazing livestock, but most is not used for grazing. Other areas were reclaimed to post-mining uses such as wildlife habitat or unmanaged forest using similar techniques, but with shrubs and trees able to survive heavy grass cover and compacted mine soils.

Powell River Project - Reclamation of Coal Refuse Disposal Areas

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:08:26 -0400

Powell River Project - Creation and Management of Productive Minesoils

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:18:28 -0400

Powell River Project - Revegetation Species and Practices

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:11:04 -0400

Powell River Project - Coal-resource Contracting Terms for Productive Postmining Forests

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:09:23 -0500

Powell River Project - Recovery of Native Plant Communities After Mining

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:15:10 -0500

This publication summarizes research on the impacts of reclamation practices on re-establishment of native Appalachian forest ecosystems and describes practices
that may be used during reclamation to encourage re-establishment of native hardwood-forest plant communities.

Powell River Project - Establishing Groundcover for Forested Postmining Land Uses

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:05:27 -0500

Powell River Project - Management of Cow-Calf Production on Reclaimed Surface-Mined Land

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:15:13 -0500

Powell River Project - Establishment and Maintenance of Quality Turfgrass on Surface-mined Land

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:12:38 -0500

Powell River Project - Restoring the Value of Forests on Reclaimed Mined Land

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:20:55 -0500

Powell River Project - On-site Treatment and Disposal of Residential Wastewaters on Mined Lands

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:26:20 -0500

Powell River Project - Stabilizing Reclaimed Mines to Support Buildings and Development

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:36:19 -0500

Land-use constraints hinder economic activity in the Virginia coalfield region; the lack of flat land hinders infrastructure construction, industrial recruitment, and business development. Reclaimed coal mines are widely discussed as potential development sites, but modern reclamation rarely prepares mined areas for building-support purposes. This publication describes mine-stabilization procedures that can be employed for developing reclaimed mine areas for building construction.

This publication outlines general concepts and guidelines. Parties seeking to construct buildings on any mined area should engage the services of a professional engineer.

Powell River Project - Reclaiming Mined Lands as Industrial Sites

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:50:53 -0500

With the decline of coal-mining jobs in Virginia’s coalfields, availability of local employment in high-wage industries is a major concern. One factor that hinders high-wage manufacturing industries from locating in the coalfield region is a shortage of suitable industrial sites. In some cases, coal surface mines can create sites suitable for industry as a post-mining land use while meeting all Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) requirements.

Powell River Project - Conversion of Sericea Lespedeza-dominant Vegetation to Quality Forages for Livestock Use

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:58:04 -0400

The purpose of this publication is to describe recommended strategies for converting the sericea-dominant vegetation typically found on older surface-mined benches to more favorable forages that can be more effectively utilized by livestock. Techniques for suppressing the growth of sericea lespedeza in order to establish quality forage species and for managing the resultant pasture or hayland area were developed from research conducted at the Powell River Project Research and Education Center site.

Powell River Project - Foundations for Housing on Reclaimed Mined Lands

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:55:06 -0400

Powell River Project - Mine Permitting to Establish Productive Forests as Post-Mining Land Uses

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:50:04 -0400

Powell River Project - Growing Christmas Trees on Reclaimed Surface-mined Land

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:10:04 -0400

Soil Sample Information Sheet for Surface Mined Areas

Fri, 01 May 2009 01:00:00 -0400