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
Persons wishing to obtain information about Powell River Project research results may the above party or the research leaders.
This page created and maintained by Carl Z
26 February 99
czip@vt.edu