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- Establishment and maintenance of quality turfgrass on surface-mined landHall, John R. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1992)Provides recommendations for successful turfgrass establishment and maintenance on reclaimed surface-mined land.
- Stabilizing reclaimed mines to support buildings and developmentZipper, Carl E.; Winter, Steven (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1997)
- Estimation of Southwest Virginia coal reservesWestman, Erik C.; Haycocks, Christopher; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000)Coal mining in Virginia's Richmond basin was the first recorded production in the United States (Henderson, 1985). Since that production, more than 2.1 billion tons of coal have been extracted from three primary areas within the state: the Richmond basin, the Valley coal fields, and the Southwest Virginia coal field (Brown et al., 1952; VCCER, 1998).
- 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.
- Managing Shrub-Infested, Postmined Pasturelands With Goats and Cattle. Part II, Effects on Forage Biomass, Nutritive Values, and Animal PerformanceAbaye, Azenegashe Ozzie; Webb, D. Matthew; Zipper, Carl E.; Luginbuhl, Jean-Marie; Teutsch, Christopher D. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2001-12-09)Reclamation of mined lands in the Appalachian coal region has resulted in the successful establishment and utilization of pasture for beef cattle production. Research goals were to determine the effects of mixed grazing of goats with cattle on forage biomass, forage nutritive quality, and animal performance. The three treatments included an ungrazed control, cattle grazing alone, and mixed grazing goats with cattle.
- Management of Cow-Calf Production on Reclaimed Surface-Mined LandWhittier, William Dee; Gerken, Hubert J. Jr.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2002-10-12)Summarizes a number of cattle management issues that are important to mined-land cattle producers in Virginia.
- On-site treatment and disposal of residential wastewaters on mined landsZipper, Carl E.; Reneau, Raymond B.; Saluta, Michael A. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2005)
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 2008 Powell River Project Research and Education Program Reports(Powell River Project Research and Education Center, 2008)
- 2009 Powell River Project Research and Education Program Reports(Powell River Project Research and Education Center, 2009)
- Tree-Compatible Groundcovers for Reforestation and Erosion ControlBurger, James A.; Davis, Vic; Franklin, Jennifer; Zipper, Carl E.; Skousen, Jeffrey G.; Barton, Christopher D.; Angel, Patrick N. (Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, 2009-07)Productive native forests create economic value for landowners, produce raw materials for wood-based products, and provide benefits such as watershed control, water quality protection, carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and native plant diversity. Owners of lands mined for coal in Appalachia are increasingly interested in assuring that productive forests are restored after mining. Sediment control is essential to coal mine reclamation under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). Here, we describe how mining firms can achieve good tree survival and restore forest productivity by using tree-compatible ground covers, when necessary, to control erosion and meet ground cover standards.
- On-Site Sewage Treatment AlternativesZipper, Carl E.; Reneau, Raymond B.; Jantrania, Anish R. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-07-01)The purpose of this publication is to describe on-site technologies for treating domestic sewage where conventional means (public sewer or septic tank with drainfield) are not available.
- 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.
- 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.
- Foundations for Housing on Reclaimed Mined LandsKrebs, Robert Dixon; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-09-30)This bulletin summarizes potential problems associated with housing built on recontoured, reclaimed land and suggests methods for dealing with those problems. Special attention is given to the behavior of valley fills and to precautions that should be taken when building in reclaimed areas. Various types of foundations for light structures are considered in relation to their suitability for land that may settle.
- Reclaiming Mined Lands as Industrial SitesZipper, Carl E.; Yates, Charles S. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-12-02)Provides guidelines for use by the Virginia coal-mining industry in reclaiming mined land to support industrial development which can benefit both the landowner and the community.