Powell River Project Programs, 1998-99
In 1998-99, Powell River
Project funding was used to support programs in the following areas:
Research:
Septic Wastewater Management and Disposal
Cattle Production on Reclaimed Mines
Undergraduate Student Research:
Mountain Empire Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College
Curriculum Development
Properties and Land Use Potentialsof 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 beganin 1998. Using their own experience and the results of completed research,the investigators are developing soil interpretation and mapping protocolsfor mined landscapes. The work is being conducted in close cooperationwith U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resource Conservation Service(NRCS), which has begun a multiple-year effort to prepare updated soilsurveys for Virginiaâs coal counties, and Virginia Soil Survey. Soilmaps that accurately represent the land-use capability of reclaimed mineareas will be useful to local governments and land owners for land-useplanning purposes.
Reforestation of Mined Land for Timber Production and Environmental Quality.James A. Burger, Department of Forestry
This work is developing reforestationmethods that can be used by coal-mining operators during mine reclamation.Project goals are to develop reforestation practices that are cost-efficientfor 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 recognizedin regulatory program amendments by Virginia Division of Mined Land Reclamaton,Kentucky Department of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, andWest Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Current work is extendingreforestation guidelines developed for pines to native hardwood speciessuch as the oaks, ash, and tulip poplar. This research is co-sponsoredby Georgia Pacific Corporation and Pocahontas Land Corporation.
Estimating Mineable Coal Reserves in Southwestern Virginia. C. Haycocks, M.Karmis, E. Topuz, and E. Westman, Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering
The goal of this three-year project,begun in 1996, is to develop an improved estimate of remaining mineablecoal reserves in southwestern Virginia. This is being accomplished by assemblinga comprehensive database of coal-reserve information from public sources,and analyzing that data to determine mineable reserves using criteria suchas coal thickness, coal quality, and restrictions to mining imposed byland use and environmental conditions. The resulting model will be capableof generating mineable coal reserve estimates that are sensitive to marketsales price. Project results should be available in summer, 1999.
Use of Subsurface-Flow "Passive" Technology to Renovate Acid Mine Drainage.C.Zipper, A. C. Hendricks, and C. Jage, Department of Crop and Soil EnvironmentalSciences, and Biology
The mine-water treatment technologythat is the focus of this research has proven capable removing iron frommine waters, and raising pH. The technology uses commonly available materials,such as organic compost, mulch and limestone, and does not utilize bulkchemicals such as sodium hydroxide. The goal of this project is to developdesign and construction guidelines that are sensitive to mine-water dischargequality and quantity. The work began in 1997, and is scheduled to concludein 1999.
Teaching Environmental Issues, from Coal to Electricity. Tom Sherman, Departmentof Teaching and Learning, and Mary Quillen, Wise County Public Schools.
This program has been in operationsince 1997. In 1999, Up to 20 Virginia classroom teachers will participatein a two-week summer instruction program. One week of instruction at VirginiaTech will involve presentations by Virginia Tech faculty, and representativesof public agencies and southwest Virginiaâs industry. During thesecond week, teachers will visit coal mines, reclamation sites, and powerplants. Participating teachers will gain knowledge that will help themintegrate Virginia energy concepts into their classroom teaching programs.The program is co-sponsored by American Electric Power, Center for Energyand Economic Development, CSX Corporation, Norfolk Southern, Pittston Coal,and Virginia Power.
Feasibility Study of On-Site Wastewater Disposal Technologies in Virginia. R.B. Reneau and C. Hagedorn, Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.
This project seeks to develop residentialwastewater disposal technologies that are suitable for use in locationsthat do not contain soils suitable for conventional septic drain fields,such as reclaimed surface mines. The investigators maintain two researchsites in southwestern Virginia: A re-circulating media filter system thatcompares the effectiveness of two different media ("black beauty" bottomash and VDOT number 9 aggregate); and a pilot-scale installation of threetechnologies (low-pressure distribution, spray irrigation, and constructedwetland) on a reclaimed mine site. All systems are being monitored foreffective removal of biological and chemical contaminants, and for hydraulicperformance. Development of on-site septic wastewater disposal technologiessuitable for use on reclaimed mines will expand land-use opportunitiesin the coal field region. Co-sponsored by Virginia Department of Health.
Alternative Small-Scale Water Supplies for Coal Field Communities: Mine Cavity Water for Drinking WaterSupplies. TamimYounos, Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Thomas Burbey, GeologicalSciences Department, John Novak, Civil Engineering Department, Dixie WattsReaves, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
The goal of this project is to evaluatethe potential of mine-cavity water supplies to provide safe and cost-effectivewater to small communities that are not likely to be served by public watersystems due to distance from water lines. In the Virginia coal fields,many residents of such communities lack access to reliable, drinking-qualitywater at this time. This study will evaluate the potential of waters thataccumulate in underground cavities created by coal mining to serve theneeds of such communities, considering factors such as geology, water treatmenttechnology and costs, and legal and liability issues.
An Ongoing Study of ChristmasTree Production on Soils Disturbed by Mining Activities.Vaughn K. Lester, Southwest Virginia Community College.
This program is a joint educationalventure between the Region V Governorâs School for Science and Technologyat Southwest Virginia Community College and the Powell River Project. Fieldexercises conducted at the Powell River Project Education Center provide60 students with the opportunity to engage in original research. Studentsinvestigate problems associated with Christmas tree production on soilsdisturbed by coal mining activities. Students perform hands-on data collectionin the field, including measurements of soil color, texture, chemistry,and nutrient content. Modern land surveying equipment is used to establishprecise locations of the tree plantations. Different species of Christmastrees are evaluated for quality and growth characteristics. Students usecomputer software tools to interpret results and prepare a report of theirfindings. The 1996-â97 research by the Governorâs School studentsestablished base line data for comparison purposes for future years ofinvestigation.
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 efficientand profitable production of beef cattle on surface mined land in southwesternVirginia. A herd of thirty beef cows is maintained at the Powell RiverProject 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 siresas needed and strategies for obtaining replacements over time. VirginiaTech students participate in herd management. The project leaders use theinformation gained to prepare published reports, demonstrations, and fielddays to inform beef cattle producers in the region and elsewhere of theresults on a regular basis. The goal is sustainable beef cattle productionwith minimum inputs so that costs can be kept low enough to generate profit.
Hardwood Trees and ChristmasTrees on Reclaimed Surface Mined Land. ChuksOgbannaya and Jay Blevins, Mountain Empire Community College.
This multi-phase project is conductedby Mountain Empire students under the direction of Drs. Ogbannaya and Blevinsat Powell River Project Education Center. Green ash, black alder, sycamore,and red oak trees were established in 1988 on mine soils that had beenreclaimed using several experimental treatments (sawdust, fertilizer, compostedbiosolids, and a "no treatment" control); these trees are monitored bythe students for survival and growth. The students also maintain a Christmastree plantation, where individual trees of various species were established.Students maintain the Christmas trees, harvesting those that reach marketablesizes and using the proceeds for educational purposes.
Plant Materials for Mined Land Reclamation. A. O. Abaye and G. K. Evanylo,Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.
These researchers are analyzingground cover species composition and biomass production at the Powell RiverProject Education Center. Sixteen cover-crop treatments were establishedon a reclaimed mine area at the Center in 1990. The persistence of eachground cover treatment is being monitored by measuring botanical composition,stand density, biomass, and soil nutrient status. Virginia Tech studentsenrolled in a course entitled, "Plant Materials for Environmental Restoration"are actively involved in this project.