|
Handbook of Western Reclamation Techniques
In fulfilling its function, OTT is providing information, links, and downloads of materials appropriate for surface mine design, evaluation, environmental protection, reclamation design, and bond release.
Disclaimer: The technologies described on this site are for information purposes only. The mention herein, of the technologies, companies
or any brand names does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining.
Each group of publications accredits the provenance or copyrights.
In order to view the following documents, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or newer.
If you do not have the reader, click on the Adobe Acrobat Reader button to download.
Handbook of Western Reclamation Techniques
The Handbook of Western Reclamation Techniques is the culmination of cooperative effort of the
mining industry, industry professionals, the academic community, and regulatory agencies. It
is designed to document field-proven reclamation methods. The field techniques described in
the handbook demonstrate the variety of different methodologies used to accomplish similar
reclamation tasks. Many of these techniques were developed from scientific studies and
have evolved over time. Although mining has occurred for over a century, concerted
reclamation efforts for coal mines began in response to laws such as the Wyoming Environmental
Quality Act (WEQA) of 1973, and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of
1977. Reclamation that has been successful allows surface coal-mine operators to redeem bonds that
they posted prior to the making their initial disturbances. These reclamation bonds are required by
SMCRA and WEQA.
The roots of reclamation science lie in the conservation practices developed during the Dust Bowl and
Depression years of the 1930's. Many of the practices developed, and much of the work done during
that time, were funded by Federal and State governments. For this reason, many of the names
associated with early reclamation of mined lands McKell; Bjugstad; Power, Sandoval, and Ries;
Aldon; Plummer; Richardson and Farmer; and Hodder are also names from the Soil Conservation
Service, the Agricultural Research Stations, and land-grant universities. Early mine reclamation was so
closely associated with agriculture that reclamation and revegetation were considered virtually
synonymous.
While some agricultural emphasis continues today, the technology has expanded greatly to embrace
hydrology, wildlife, and compliance. Reclamation science has responded to legal requirements,
reconstruction of endangered habitats, revitalization of damaged environmental systems, and
establishment of wetlands. Reclamation methods are used to minimize the impact of human
development in housing subdivisions, on ski slopes, and in highway reconstruction.
Early reclamation investigations in the arid and semi-arid Western United States were based on
research trials for replacing soils and reestablishing vegetation. Cook et al. (1974), Power et al.
(1976), the U.S. Forest Service Surface Environment and Mining Program (1979), and DePuit and
Coenenberg (1981) are good examples of earlier efforts that continue today in work by Schumann et
al. (1993). Plant-materials centers and agricultural research stations continue to provide tools for
reclamation efforts (e.g., Ries et al. [1976], Aldon [1981], Bjugstad [1984], and Majerus et al.
[1985]).
Researchers such as Shroeder (1985), Toy (1983), and Toy and Parsons (1987) produced research
on geomorphic processes such as erosion, infiltration, and sediment yield, while Beauchamp (1973),
Dollhopf (1978), Berg (1983), and Halvorson and Doll (1985) investigated spoil and soil in the
reclaimed environment. A great deal of applied research has been conducted by mining companies
interested in seeking new solutions to reclamation problems. Much of this work is reported in the
annual reports required by State agencies for each active mine.
Postovit (1981), Hingtgen and Clark (1984a and 1984b), Yoakum (1984), Clark and Medcraft
(1986), and Medcraft and Clark (1986) studied the effects of mining on wildlife populations.
Olendorf et al. (1981) and Nelson et al. (1978) described techniques for wildlife-habitat restoration.
Methods and classification for reconstruction of stream channels are being developed by Wesche et al.
(1993) and Rathburn et al. (1993).
There are many works that suggest technologies of various kinds, report on field trials, and
recommend plant species for use in reclamation. However, 20 years after the earliest efforts,
a considerable body of practical knowledge has been developed among the specialists charged
with the duty of complying with State and Federal statutes and regulations governing reclamation
of mined lands. For the most part, this knowledge has never been formalized and made generally
accessible until its presentation in this handbook.
The original Handbook of Western Reclamation Techniques was designed in a binder format with the
capability of adding or replacing sections as new techniques are developed. Plans and diagrams can be
easily removed to make working copies of a subsection. This handbook has been written and
assembled by the volunteer labor of interested authors and a smaller volunteer editorial committee.
Many of these people gained their experience in the surface coal mines of Wyoming. Abandoned Coal
Mined-Land Research Program funds were utilized for support services such as administration,
assembly, drafting, literature review, and word processing. The handbook was printed by the Office of
Surface Mining.
It is the intent of the authors to present in this handbook, in an accessible format, economical and
successful reclamation techniques that have survived the test of practical application. Many of the
techniques are a cumulation of scientific studies and practical experience. Since some of these
methodologies may not have been previously documented, the authors feel compiling this handbook is
an important contribution to reclamation. It is the hope of the authors that the distribution of these
techniques will positively affect not only the reclamation of surface coal-mined lands, but will also be of
potential service in many reclamation fields.
Download the entire documents
Download individual chapters
|
