Outreach Publications, Powell River Project
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Browsing Outreach Publications, Powell River Project by Author "Burger, James A."
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- The Appalachian Regional Reforestation InitiativeAngel, Patrick N.; Davis, Vic; Burger, James A.; Graves, Don; Zipper, Carl E. (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2007-07-18)The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) is a cooperative effort by the States of the Appalachian Region with the Office of Surface Mining to encourage restoration of high quality forests on reclaimed coal mines in the eastern USA. ARRI's goals are to communicate and encourage mine reforestation practices that 1) plant more high-value hardwood trees on reclaimed coal mined lands in Appalachia; 2) increase the survival rates and growth rates of planted trees; and 3) expedite the establishment of forest habitat through natural succession. These goals can be achieved when mines are reclaimed using the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA).
- Establishing Groundcover for Forested Postmining Land UsesBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E.; Skousen, Jeffrey G. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2010-02-19)Revegetating mined lands with grasses and legumes (groundcover) is essential to mine reclamation under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). This publication describes how mining firms can establish groundcover while reclaiming land to forested, postmining land uses.
- Establishing Groundcover for Forested Postmining Land UsesBurger, James A.; Skousen, Jeffrey G.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2018-03-15)Discusses ways to establish ground cover plants in coal mined lands planned as forests.
- Establishing Native Trees on Legacy Surface MinesBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E.; Angel, Patrick N.; Hall, Nathan; Skousen, Jeffrey G.; Barton, Christopher D.; Eggerud, Scott (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2013-11)More than one million acres have been surface mined for coal in Appalachia. Today, much of this land is unmanaged, unproductive, and covered with non-native plants. Establishing productive forests on such lands will aid restoration of ecosystem services provided by forests – services such as watershed protection, water quality enhancement, carbon storage and native wildlife habitat -- and will enable mined lands to produce valued products such as commercial timber. This Advisory describes practices for establishing native forest trees on lands that were surface mined for coal and reclaimed to meet legal standards, and where the mine operator no longer has any legal responsibilities (“legacy surface mines,” Photo 1). These lands often differ from their pre-mining condition with respect to topography, soils, water resource influences, and vegetation.
- The Forestry Reclamation ApproachBurger, James A.; Graves, Don; Angel, Patrick N.; Davis, Vic; Zipper, Carl E. (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2007-07-18)The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) is a method for reclaiming coal-mined land to forest under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). The FRA is based on knowledge gained from both scientific research and experience (Photo 1). The FRA can achieve costeffective regulatory compliance for coal operators while creating productive forests that generate value for their owners and provide watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and other environmental services. The purpose of this Advisory is to describe the FRA, which is considered by state mining agencies and US Office of Surface Mining to be an appropriate and desirable method for reclaiming coal-mined land to support forested land uses under SMCRA (Angel and others, 2005). The FRA is also supported by members of the ARRI’s academic team, which is drawn from Universities in nine states, and by other groups and agencies.
- Growing Christmas Trees on Reclaimed Surface-mined LandBurger, James A.; Peer, Kyle; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-09-02)This publication provides only general information for owners and managers of reclaimed mined land. It covers specific considerations for the establishment and maintenance of Christmas tree species on reclaimed mine soils.
- How to Restore Forests on Surface-Mined LandBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2018-03-16)Shares practical, cost-effective guidelines for successful forest reclamation of coal mined land.
- How to Restore Forests on Surface-mined LandBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2011-03-30)The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), mandates that mined land be reclaimed and restored to its original use or to a use of higher value. Reforestation research by Virginia Tech's Powell River Project since 1980 shows that restored forests can be equally or more productive than the native forests removed by mining.
- Loosening Compacted Soils on Mined SitesSweigard, Richard; Burger, James A.; Graves, Don; Zipper, Carl E.; Barton, Christopher D.; Skousen, Jeffrey G.; Angel, Patrick N. (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2007-07)Because successful surface-coal mining businesses must move earth materials efficiently, mining operations today use large and heavy equipment. Track dozers and haul trucks used for mining can weigh in excess of 100 tons each, while wheel loaders and loaded haul trucks often exceed 200 tons. It is becoming well known within the mining industry that successful reforestation of reclaimed sites requires loose and uncompacted surface materials, but some areas become compacted due to machinery operation, traffic, and storage that is necessary for the mining business to be successful. Trees require deep, loose mine soils to survive and grow into healthy, productive forests. Such forests can support viable forest-products’ businesses, protect the watershed, store carbon, and serve as wildlife habitat. This advisory describes procedures that can be used to loosen soils that have become compacted by mining equipment in order to restore land capability for forests.
- Low Compaction Grading to Enhance Reforestation Success on Coal Surface MinesSweigard, Richard; Burger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E.; Skousen, Jeffrey G.; Barton, Christopher D.; Angel, Patrick N. (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2007-07)This advisory describes final-grading techniques for reclaiming coal-surface mines to forest postmining land uses. Final grading that leaves a loose soil and a rough surface increases survival of planted seedlings and forest productivity. Such practices are often less costly than traditional "smooth grading" while meeting Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) requirements.
- Mine Permitting to Establish Productive Forests as Post-Mining Land UsesBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-09-29)This publication suggests language that may be used by Virginia mine operators in mine permit applications when it is their intention to use the Forestry Reclamation Approach to produce native hardwood forests of superior productivity during reclamation. The procedures may be applied if the post-mining land use is designated in the permit as either commercial or unmanaged forest.
- Mine Reclamation Practices to Enhance Forest Development Through Natural SuccessionGroninger, John; Skousen, Jeffrey G.; Angel, Patrick N.; Barton, Christopher D.; Burger, James A.; Graves, Don; Zipper, Carl E. (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2007-07)Succession is a term used to describe natural changes in plant community composition over time. In the forested Appalachian region, disturbances from storms, fire, logging, or mining can disrupt or destroy established forests. Natural processes that lead to restoration of the forest vegetation after such a disturbance usually begin quickly and result in development of another forest. On former mine sites, the quality of that forest and the speed with which it develops depend upon the conditions created by the mining and reclamation process. Conventional surface mine reclamation as practiced from the late 1970’s to the present commonly featured smooth grading of topsoil or topsoil substitute material followed by establishment of grasses and legumes that grow rapidly to form a thick groundcover. These compacted mine soils and competitive grasses hinder tree establishment and growth and delay the process of succession to forest cover. In contrast, reclamation practices known as the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) are intended to encourage succession in a manner that helps the mine operator satisfy regulatory requirements cost effectively and achieve prompt bond release (See Box 1). This advisory describes the ways in which reclamation methods can encourage rapid succession and accelerate development of high quality postmining forests.
- Re-Establishing Pollinator Habitat on Mined Lands Using the Forestry Reclamation ApproachHorn, Tammy; Angel, Patrick N.; Zipper, Carl E.; Ulyshen, Michael; French, Michael; Burger, James A.; Adams, Mary Beth (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2017-02)Pollinators are animals that play an essential role in the reproduction of many plants by transferring genetic material, in the form of pollen, from male to female flower parts. Because pollinator communities are under threat both in the US and worldwide, there is great interest in incorporating the needs of pollinators into habitat restoration plans. Forests provide many important resources such as nectar and pollen throughout the warm-weather seasons as well as critical nesting habitats. This Advisory describes mine reforestation strategies that can encourage and support pollinator conservation in the eastern US. We also provide background information concerning pollinators and their conservation needs.
- Recovery of Native Plant Communities After MiningHoll, Karen D.; Zipper, Carl E.; Burger, James A. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2018-03-20)Discusses reclamation practices in coal mined land that encourage recovery of native forested ecosystems.
- Recovery of native plant communities after miningHoll, Karen D.; Zipper, Carl E.; Burger, James A. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2001)Coal surface mining and mine reclamation have had a significant impact on the landscape throughout the Appalachian region, including southwestern Virginia's coalfields. This fact is recognized by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), which states that mining operations shall establish "a diverse, effec-tive, and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety and native to the area . . . and capable of self-regeneration and plant succession ... " [Section 515(b) 19], unless introduced species are necessary to achieve the post-mining land use. Restoring the native hardwood forest is the most direct and comprehensive way of meeting this premise of SMCRA in Appalachian landscapes. Re-establishment of this self-sustaining ecosys-tem on reclaimed mines can aid in maintaining native wildlife populations while providing other valuable ecosystem services, such as erosion con-trol, carbon sequestration, wood production, water-quality improvement, and watershed pro-tection. Re-establishment of native hardwood-for-est ecosystems also contributes to the natural beauty of the Appalachian region. This publication summarizes research on the impacts of reclamation practices on re-establish-ment of native Appalachian forest ecosystems, and describes practices that may be used during reclamation to encourage re-establishment of native hardwood forest plant communities.
- Recovery of Native Plant Communities After MiningHoll, Karen D.; Zipper, Carl E.; Burger, James A. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2010-02-25)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.
- Reforestation Guidelines for Unused Surface Mined Lands in the Eastern United StatesBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2011-03-24)This document describes practices that can be applied to restore native forests on unused mined lands that are unoccupied, unmanaged, and unproductive. The guidelines in this publication are intended for lands mined and reclaimed without the FRA that are not forested and not under active management.
- Reforestation Guidelines for Unused Surface Mined Lands in the Eastern United StatesBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2018-03-16)Offers guidelines for reforestation of surface mined lands.
- Restoring the Value of Forests on Reclaimed Mined LandBurger, James A.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2012-09-04)The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information that will aid landowners in estimating the effects of reclamation practices on forestland values, while emphasizing that creating productive mine soils for native trees can be accomplished at no additional cost to the mine operator.
- Selecting Materials for Mine Soil Construction When Establishing Forests On Appalachian Mine SitesSkousen, Jeffrey G.; Zipper, Carl E.; Burger, James A.; Barton, Christopher D.; Angel, Patrick N. (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2011-07)The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) is a method for reclaiming coal-mined land to forest (FRA Advisory #2, Burger and others 2005). The FRA is based on research, knowledge, and experience of forest soil scientists and reclamation practitioners. Forest Reclamation Advisories are guidance documents that describe state-of-the-science procedures for mined land reforestation (see http://arri.osmre.gov/FRA/FRA.shtm). The FRA’s first step is: “create a suitable rooting medium for good tree growth that is no less than 4 feet deep and comprised of topsoil, weathered sandstone and/or the best available material.” This Advisory provides guidance on how to execute step 1 of the FRA. Selection and placement of suitable growth media are critical for successful reforestation on surface mines. Constructing mine soils using suitable materials enhances and accelerates development of diverse forest ecosystems. This Advisory is intended for mining operators seeking to re-establish native forest as a postmining land use with pre-mining capability on coal surface mines.