Revegetation
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Photo Library: Revegetation |
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Reclamation of the land follows closely behind the mining. In this photo, active mining can be seen at the very top of the hill, all the other land has been mined and reclaimed to native rangeland. Photo 102 (222 KB file)
During the mining operation small trees growing in narrow moist drainage channels were removed. Part of the reclamation included planting woody shrubs and reestablishing the groves of trees. This reclaimed land is rapidly becoming an integral part of the surrounding natural landscape. Photo 101 (173 KB file)
The coal mined at this site is used at the electric power generation plant that can be seen in the distant background. When this mine began it was adjacent to the power plant, and over the years has progress up the hillside to its present location several miles away. All the land in the foreground of this photo has been mined and reclaimed. Photo 104 (149 KB file)
Establishing trees on reclaimed coal mine lands
At this Alabama coal mine growing trees was the planned postmining land use. Following establishment of quick-growing grasses to prevent soil erosion, loblolly pine seedlings were planted on all disturbed areas of the mine site. Planting was done following traditional methods used on Southeast tree farms. Enlarged Photo (100 KB file)
A later photo at this Alabama reclaimed mine site shows the results of reforestation. Grasses originally planted for erosion control are still present and have improved the wildlife habitat over the years. Tree trunks are now more that 6 inches in diameter and commercial thinning is planned. Permanent roads and fire lanes provide access to this reforested former mine site. Enlarged Photo (131 KB file)
The native forest is being replanted at this Washington state mine reclamation. The mine permit covers more than 14,000 acres of typical low-elevation woodland. Conifer and hardwood trees grow on the hills, grasses and stream-bank plants are found in poorly drained valleys. Trees on the reclaimed land are planted 10 feet apart, 435 trees per acre. Red alder is planted on northerly and easterly slopes, and Douglas fir on ridge tops and on southerly and westerly slopes. Enlarged Photo (127 KB file)
Under high rainfall and excellent growing conditions the trees have become well established in a short period of time. Here after only 5 years the conifers are already 10 - 15 feet tall and form a very dense cover on the land. Enlarged Photo (117 KB file)
Replanting trees
At this reclaimed Montana mine site young trees have been planted to provide the natural breaks found in this rangeland. Trees planted on the reclaimed land blend into the unmined forest area in the background and provide a mix of vegetation that closely resembles the natural landscape. Planting the trees on this open rangeland provides cover for the wildlife and quickly reestablishes the premining conditions of the site. Enlarged Photo (27 KB file)
This reclaimed mine land is on "Prime farmland" in Southern Indiana. To prevent damage to the soil during reclamation the mine operator removed topsoil and sub-soil separately and immediately spread it on land that was being reclaimed. This eliminated storage and compaction problems commonly associated with prime farmland soils. With the reclamation complete the land has been returned to its original agricultural land use and now produces high-yielding crops just as it did prior to mining and reclamation. Enlarged Photo (26 KB file)
Prior to the Surface Mining Law in 1977, topsoil could be discarded along with spoil, making it difficult to establish a vegetative cover on reclaimed mine land. Now, topsoil is carefully salvaged and replaced over a graded surface, and provides the essential medium for establishing vegetative cover. The reclaimed land at this Kentucky mine site was planted with grass cover to quickly provide vegetation on the steep slopes . This prevented soil erosion and now provides conditions where native plants are becoming established. Over the next several years plant succession will result in the reestablishment of a native forest. Enlarged Photo (27 KB file)
Located near the famous Monument Valley, the Black Mesa and Kayenta mines are on the Navajo and Hopi Indian reservations. During the life of these two coal mines approximately 20,000 acres of land will be mined and reclaimed. The landscape at the mines is characterized by rolling hills and valleys and very arid conditions. Pinon juniper woodland and sagebrush shrub land are the dominant vegetation. Enlarged Photo (30 KB file)
Reclaimed mine land
Grazing -- the long term land use
Reclamation included unique vegetation
The seed is planted
Growing the plants in nurseries
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Centralia, Washington coal mine replants the native forest during reclamation
Native Douglas Fir and Red Alder are being planted
Reclaimed land in active forest production
The result of reforestation land use
Planting trees on reclaimed mine sites offers a wide range of benefits to landowners, coal mine operators, and the community. Environmental benefits include minimizing soil erosion and protecting water resources by preventing soil erosion; removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through sequestration; and providing habitats for diverse plant and animal species. For more information about reforestation of reclaimed coal mine lands and the benefits of market-based mine land reclamation, click here.
This high, arid land is being mined, reclaimed, and planted with native vegetation. Black Mesa land supports a traditional American Indian lifestyle centered around livestock grazing. In 1996, nearly 1,500 acres of reclaimed lands were released by the tribes to local residents. Monitoring results show reclaimed lands on this mine supports at least 10 times more livestock than native pre-mining range.
Enlarged Photo (25 KB file)
Just as it was before mining, the land use following reclamation is grazing. Here a local rancher is grazing cattle on recently reclaimed land. The native range land seen in the background can easily be compared with the improved reclaimed land in the foreground. Enlarged Photo (15 KB file) Photo credit: David Scott Smith
Reclaimed land at these mines is also being planted with vegetation that restores culturally significant plants for the local residents. Working with medicine men, herbalists, Black Mesa residents, and experts from the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe the company identified specific plants that had cultural significance and the potential to grow on the reclaimed mine lands. Native seed was collected from the Black Mesa to ensure that plant materials would be genetically adapted to the area. Enlarged Photo (24 KB file) Photo credit: David Scott Smith
Collected seed
After collecting the seed from plants growing on the mine site it was shipped to the nurseries where it was cleaned, processed, and stored. Handling of this unusual seed required specialized care and conditions to ensure germination success.
Enlarged Photo (17 KB file) Photo credit: David Harris, Peabody Western Coal Company
Growth and development of the various native plant species is highly variable. Nursery procedures were focused towards individual requirements of each type of plant. To protect the roots of the seedlings and eliminate transplanting shock, the plants were grown in individual containers.
Enlarged Photo (24 KB file) Photo credit: David Harris, Peabody Western Coal Company
The mining company worked to develop special reclamation methods that included both seed bed prearation and production of high quality seedlings. The plants were raised in nurseries that had experience growing native plants. As the plants matured they were moved from the greenhouse to a shade house. Here they are seen near the end of the nursery period and are being hardened-off prior to planting on the reclaimed land. During 1996-97 nearly 25,000 pinon seedlings were grown for use on the reclaimed land. Enlarged Photo (19 KB file) Photo credit: David Scott Smith
Planting the seedlings
Planting the seedlings also required special care and handling to ensure they would survive and become established. The area where the cultural significant plants were planted was fenced to keep grazing livestock from eating or trampling the newly planted seedlings. Varieties that were likely to be eaten by wildlife were enclosed in a protective collar. And, very small plants were marked with small stakes to identify their location so they could be monitored as they grew.Enlarged Photo (30 KB file)
Seedlings planted on the reclaimed land
With the establishment of the culturally significant plants, this reclaimed land will provide long-term benefits to the many Navajo and Hopi people who retain traditional values. Enlarged Photo (25 KB file) Enlarged Photo (25 KB file)
With Mt Rainier in the background, this coal mine permit covers more than 14,000 acres of typical low-elevation woodland. Reclamation at this site includes reforestation that is establishing the pre-mining forestry land use. This view of recently reclaimed mine land shows rock-lined water channels that prevent soil erosion and a well established crop of tree seedlings. Enlarged Photo (30 KB file)
Typical of this mountainous region, conifer and hardwood trees grow on the hills and grasses and stream-bank plants are found in poorly drained valleys. Reclamation of the land disturbed by mining is planted to reestablish this environmental condition. Here on the reclaimed land the trees have become established and an outstanding wildlife habitat created.
Enlarged Photo (25 KB file)
Conifers and hardwoods are planted 10 feet apart, 435 trees per acre. Red alder is planted on northerly and easterly slopes, Douglas fir on ridge tops and southerly and westerly slopes. Today, after reclamation the land is in forest production and is typical of the surrounding landscape. Enlarged Photo (31 KB file)
Reforestation on reclaimed coal mine land
Each year one coal mining operation in the country is selected to receive the Director's Award for outstanding achievement in a specific area of reclamation. In 2000 the award recognized a mine operator whose dedication and commitment has resulted in outstanding reforestation on reclaimed mine land. The Peabody Coal Company has been planting trees on its reclaimed mine sites in Western Kentucky since 1948. Peabody has pioneered planting techniques on surface mined lands that have been used throughout the country. Seeing the potential of establishing forests on reclaimed mine land, and meeting the challenges of realizing that vision, is a credit to both the company and those responsible for on-the-ground success.
Enlarged Photo (42 KB file)
The beginning of a new forest
This stand of Black Walnut trees was planted in 1987, and today is well on its way to becoming an established forest. Since this company began its reforestation on reclaimed mine land they have planted more than 59 million trees in Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties. At one reclaimed mine site the reforested land was turned into a wildlife management area that now attracts more the 50,000 people a year. Activities on this reclaimed land include hunting dog field trials, ornithological club visits, bird photography, academic environmental class tours, graduate student studies, hunting, and fishing.
Enlarged Photo (31KB file)
At the reclaimed Peabody mine sites reforestation has resulted in large continuous tracts of forest lands and wildlife areas that provide long-term benefits to the local areas. Initial forest planting on mine sites were done following minimal grading and the planting consisted of various conifer species recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service. In the 1950's and 60's native hardwood and other deciduous tree species were planted. This expanded selection of trees, including oaks, black walnut, sweet gum, yellow poplar, and sycamore, can be seen in this photo taken about 25 years after planting. Enlarged Photo (27 KB file)
Woody plants provide long-term stability to the landscape
About 50 miles northeast of Austin, Texas, this operation began mining lignite coal in the 1950's to fuel the power generators used for smelting aluminum. In the past, reclaimed coal mines in this part of the country consisted of pasture land planted with Coastal Bermuda grass. Today, after reclamation at this site native vegetation improves the wildlife habitat and provides a richly diverse plant community.
Enlarged Photo (49 KB file)
A mix of agricultural land and wildlife habitat provide increased diversity
The Surface Mining Law requires the establishment of a healthy, permanent vegetative cover on all land affected by coal mining. Stabilizing the soil with permanent vegetation is one of the principal means of minimizing erosion and reducing stream siltation, and it is often critical to the postmining land use. This land reclaimed for hay production is another common use throughout the country. On this reclaimed area the operator is managing the land prior to bond release by cutting hay and using it for mulch on other areas of the mining operation. Enlarged Photo (39 KB file)
At this site the reclamation provides both wetland and upland habitats.
Range grasses have been planted to provide food and upland shelter areas for birds and animals. Thousands of tree and shrub seedlings are growing between the rich wetland areas. The land following reclamation no longer resembles an agricultural monoculture and the quality of diverse wildlife habitat is recognized worldwide. In years to come, the mix of vegetation will continue to grow and enhance this reclaimed Texas landscape.
West Virginia students plant trees for Earth Day.
At the Arch Coal's Catenary Coal subsidiary in southern West Virginia, Office of Surface Mining Director, Jeff Jarrett and Riverside High School horticulture students planted trees on reclaimed coal mine land to celebrate Earth Day. The students are part of Arch Coal's pioneering "Classroom on the Mountain" cooperative program in which reclamation experts from the Sampels Mine work alongside nearly 100 students, giving them hands-on experience in plant cultivation. At this site the students were planting a mixture of native hardwoods including yellow popular, walnut and green ash grown from local seed. In addition white pine seedlings were also planted at the reclaimed mine site. (Click the photo for a larger size)
