
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 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 Virginiaâs 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.
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 by Virginia Division of Mined Land Reclamaton,
Kentucky Department of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Current work is extending
reforestation guidelines developed for pines to native hardwood species
such as the oaks, ash, and tulip poplar. This research is co-sponsored
by 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 mineable
coal reserves in southwestern Virginia. This is being accomplished by assembling
a comprehensive database of coal-reserve information from public sources,
and analyzing that data to determine mineable reserves using criteria such
as coal thickness, coal quality, and restrictions to mining imposed by
land use and environmental conditions. The resulting model will be capable
of generating mineable coal reserve estimates that are sensitive to market
sales 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 Environmental Sciences, and Biology
The mine-water treatment technology
that is the focus of this research has proven capable removing iron from
mine waters, and raising pH. The technology uses commonly available materials,
such as organic compost, mulch and limestone, and does not utilize bulk
chemicals such as sodium hydroxide. The goal of this project is to develop
design and construction guidelines that are sensitive to mine-water discharge
quality and quantity. The work began in 1997, and is scheduled to conclude
in 1999.
Teaching Environmental Issues, from Coal to Electricity. Tom Sherman, Department of Teaching and Learning, and Mary Quillen, Wise County Public Schools.
This program has been in operation
since 1997. In 1999, 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 Virginiaâs 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.
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 residential
wastewater disposal technologies that are suitable for use in locations
that do not contain soils suitable for conventional septic drain fields,
such as reclaimed surface mines. The investigators maintain two research
sites in southwestern Virginia: A re-circulating media filter system that
compares the effectiveness of two different media ("black beauty" bottom
ash and VDOT number 9 aggregate); and a pilot-scale installation of three
technologies (low-pressure distribution, spray irrigation, and constructed
wetland) on a reclaimed mine site. All systems are being monitored for
effective removal of biological and chemical contaminants, and for hydraulic
performance. Development of on-site septic wastewater disposal technologies
suitable for use on reclaimed mines will expand land-use opportunities
in 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 Water Supplies. Tamim Younos, Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Thomas Burbey, Geological Sciences Department, John Novak, Civil Engineering Department, Dixie Watts Reaves, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
The goal of this project is to evaluate
the potential of mine-cavity water supplies to provide safe and cost-effective
water to small communities that are not likely to be served by public water
systems due to distance from water lines. In the Virginia coal fields,
many residents of such communities lack access to reliable, drinking-quality
water at this time. This study will evaluate the potential of waters that
accumulate in underground cavities created by coal mining to serve the
needs of such communities, considering factors such as geology, water treatment
technology and costs, and legal and liability issues.
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 Governorâs 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-â97 research by the Governorâs 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.
Hardwood Trees and Christmas Trees on Reclaimed Surface Mined Land. Chuks Ogbannaya and Jay Blevins, Mountain Empire Community College.
This multi-phase project is conducted
by Mountain Empire students under the direction of Drs. Ogbannaya and Blevins
at Powell River Project Education Center. Green ash, black alder, sycamore,
and red oak trees were established in 1988 on mine soils that had been
reclaimed using several experimental treatments (sawdust, fertilizer, composted
biosolids, and a "no treatment" control); these trees are monitored by
the students for survival and growth. The students also maintain a Christmas
tree plantation, where individual trees of various species were established.
Students maintain the Christmas trees, harvesting those that reach marketable
sizes 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 analyzing ground cover species composition and biomass production at the Powell River Project Education Center. Sixteen cover-crop treatments were established on a reclaimed mine area at the Center in 1990. The persistence of each ground cover treatment is being monitored by measuring botanical composition, stand density, biomass, and soil nutrient status. Virginia Tech students enrolled in a course entitled, "Plant Materials for Environmental Restoration" are actively involved in this project.