Powell River Project

Properties and Land Use Potentials of Surface Mined Landscapes in the Virginia Coal Fields.
W. L. Daniels and James Baker, Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.

This multiple-year project began in 1998. Using their own experience and the results of completed research, the investigators are developing soil interpretation and mapping protocols for mined landscapes. The work is being conducted in close cooperation with U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), which has begun a multiple-year effort to prepare updated soil surveys for Virginia's coal counties, and Virginia Soil Survey. Soil maps that accurately represent the land-use capability of reclaimed mine areas will be useful to local governments and land owners for land-use planning purposes. Buchanan County is being mapped currently; Wise and Dickenson Counties will follow.

Reforestation of Mined Land for Timber Production and Environmental Quality. James A. Burger, Department of Forestry

This work is developing reforestation methods that can be used by coal-mining operators during mine reclamation. Project goals are to develop reforestation practices that are cost-efficient for the mining operators, effective in producing productive timber lands, and compliant with environmental regulations governing the coal industry; and to assist land owners and mine operators in application of these properties. Reforestation guidelines developed by this research have been recognized in regulatory program amendments in Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Current work is extending reforestation guidelines developed for pines to native hardwood species such as the oaks, ash, and tulip poplar, and developing data on the carbon sequestration potential of forests grown on reclaimed mine soils. This research is co-sponsored by Georgia Pacific Corporation and Pocahontas Land Corporation.

This project is identifying major acid mine drainage (AMD) sources in 11 tributaries feeding the North Fork of the Powell and the Powell River, and to determining how the AMD being released into those tributaries may influence biota at the tributaries' confluences with the Powell River and the Powell's North Fork.  Researchers are using Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) as surrogate organisms for freshwater mussels in in situ toxicity tests to determine the impacts of metal loading from each of the 11 tributaries. The potential for metal movement from water column to sediment and attached algae (periphyton) into clams is being quantified to determine if AMD-associated metals are causing the demise of the mussel fauna in the river system.  This is a two-year study. 

An Ongoing Study of Christmas Tree Production on Soils Disturbed by Mining Activities. Vaughn K. Lester, Southwest Virginia Community College.

This program is a joint educational venture between the Region V Governor's School for Science and Technology at Southwest Virginia Community College and the Powell River Project. Field exercises conducted at the Powell River Project Education Center provide 60 students with the opportunity to engage in original research. Students investigate problems associated with Christmas tree production on soils disturbed by coal mining activities. Students perform hands-on data collection in the field, including measurements of soil color, texture, chemistry, and nutrient content. Modern land surveying equipment is used to establish precise locations of the tree plantations. Different species of Christmas trees are evaluated for quality and growth characteristics. Students use computer software tools to interpret results and prepare a report of their findings. The 1996-97 research by the Governor's School students established base line data for comparison purposes for future years of investigation.

Beef Cattle Production on Reclaimed Surface Mined Land.
W. D. Whittier, College of Veterinary Medicine, B. R. McKinnon, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Paul Peterson, Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.

This project is demonstrating efficient and profitable production of beef cattle on surface mined land in southwestern Virginia. A herd of thirty beef cows is maintained at the Powell River Project Education Center in Wise County. Virginia Tech, through the co-investigators, provides advice and assistance with breeding and health management, marketing, maintenance of pasture productivity, record keeping, selection of sires as needed and strategies for obtaining replacements over time. Virginia Tech students participate in herd management. The project leaders use the information gained to prepare published reports, demonstrations, and field days to inform beef cattle producers in the region and elsewhere of the results on a regular basis. The goal is sustainable beef cattle production with minimum inputs so that costs can be kept low enough to generate profit.

The Effects of Two Cultural Treatments on Four Christmas Tree Species Grown on Reclaimed Mined Land. Chuks Ogbannaya and Jay Blevins, Mountain Empire Community College.

This multi-phase project is conducted by Mountain Empire Community College students under the direction of Drs. Ogbannaya and Blevins at Powell River Project Education Center. The students will analyze the effects of two cultural treatments -- brush blankets and fertilizer tablets -- of five species of Christmas trees: white pine, Norway spruce, douglas fir, blue spruce, and scotch pine. Students will collect data on annual survival rates,diameter at breast height, and tree height. The student research will take place over a five-year period.

Plant Materials for Mined Land Reclamation.
A. O. Abaye, Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.

Virginia Tech students enrolled in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences (CSES) 3644, "Plant Materials for Environmental Restoration," visit Powell River Project Education Center each year. During this field trip, students measure ground cover and biomass production on research plots estabished in 1990. The data produced by these measurements are analyzed by the students. The activities at Powell River Project Education Center are essential to CSES 3644 learning objectives.

Teaching Environmental Issues, from Coal to Electricity.
Tom Sherman and Mary Quillen, Department of Teaching and Learning.

This program has been in operation since 1997. During summer, 2001, up to 20 Virginia classroom teachers will participate in a
two-week summer instruction program. One week of instruction at Virginia Tech will involve presentations by
Virginia Tech faculty, and representatives of public agencies and southwest Virginia's industry. During the second
week, teachers will visit coal mines, reclamation sites, and power plants. Participating teachers will gain knowledge
that will help them integrate Virginia energy concepts into their classroom teaching programs. The program is
co-sponsored by American Electric Power, Center for Energy and Economic Development, CSX Corporation,
Norfolk Southern, Pittston Coal, and Virginia Power.