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, and West Virginia. 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.

Estimating Mineable Coal Reserves in Southwestern Virginia: Internet Site Development. E. Westman, Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering

In 1996, this investigator began a 3-year project, with the goal of developing a realistic estimate of Virgini's mineable coal reserves which considers such factors as restrictions to mining and coal market prices. During the project's current phase, the investigator is developing an interactive internet site that will make project results available to the general public and other interested parties.

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 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.

Influence of Acid Mine Drainage from Abandoned Mines on Mussels in the Powell River. Don Cherry and David Soucek, Department of Biology.

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.

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 a re-circulating media filter system that is designed to compare the effectiveness of two different media ("black beauty" bottom ash and VDOT number 9 aggregate) at the Powell River Project Education Center. The system is 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. This project is co-sponsored by Virginia Department of Health.

The Effect of Coal Surface Mine Revegetation Practices on Long-Term Vegetation Recovery. Karen Holl, University of California, Santa Cruz.

The goals of this project are to document long-term vegetation recovery on reclaimed surface mines,and to determine the influence of ground cover on forest ecosystem development. The work will be a continuation of Dr. Holl's earlier research, conducted in the early 1990s when she was a graduate student in Virginia Tech's Department of Biology. She will revisit the sites utilized in her earlier research, document the status of vegetation and ecosystem development at each site, and compare each site's current status to measurements taken in 1992 and 1993. A total of 23 sites will be resurveyed. The results will document long-term changes in vegetation and will determine the effect of different revegetation practices over time.

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 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.

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 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.