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 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.