Powell River Project

The Powell River Project is a cooperative program of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), other educational institutions serving southwestern Virginia's coalfield counties, and southwestern Virginia's natural resource industries.

Mission

The Powell River Project conducts research and education programs to enhance restoration of mined lands and to benefit communities and businesses in southwestern Virginia's coalfield region.

Research Programs

Powell River Project research has focused on developing practical, cost-effective solutions to natural resource problems in central Appalachian coal mining areas. Topics addressed include mine reclamation and environmental protection practices by coal mining operations; use of reclaimed mined lands for forests, agriculture, and homes; and water and timber resources.

Education Programs

Powell River Project education programs disseminate the results of completed research, with the goal of putting research results into practice. A series of "how-to" publications, published by Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, describe practical results of completed research.

Powell River Project staff work with school teachers and students to demonstrate scientific concepts in the field at the Powell River Project Education Center in Wise County, Virginia. This 1100-acre center, owned by Penn Virginia Resource Partners LLC, hosts active coal mining, gas and timber production, and former mines, as well as long-term research sites and field-based education programs that focus on coal mining and the environment.

Summary

Powell River Project, a unique public-private partnership, has produced many positive impacts since it's 1980 beginning; research has developed effective, cost-efficient mine reclamation and environmental protection practices that are helping the Appalachian coal industry remain competitive while protecting the environment, and over 20,000 students and teachers from local schools have participated in environmental education programs at the Education Center.

Contacts

For further information on Powell River Project programs, contact Carl Zipper, Director - Powell River Project. Mail Code 0404. Virginia Tech. Blacksburg, Virginia 24061. (540) 231-9782. czip@vt.edu

Parties wishing to visit Powell River Project Education Center should contact Jon Rockett, Area Extension Agent Mined Land Develpment and Natural Resource Management, in Wise County at 276-328-0162, jrockett@vt.edu. School groups and natural resource professionals are especially welcome.

Persons wishing to obtain information about Powell River Project research results may contact either of the above parties or the research leaders.

This page created and maintained by Carl Z
26 February 99
czip@vt.edu