Contour Mining and Reclamation: Final Reclamation Stage
This is a typical view of the final stage of reclamation under the Surface Mining Law. If you compare this illustration with the view of mining before the Surface Mining Law (page 5), you will see the very dramatic improvement this Law is making. Click on the red numbers for a description of what is happening, or here for an 8 1/2" x 11" higher resolution copy of the illustration that you can print on a laser printer and color.
Key
Contour Mining and Reclamation: Final Reclamation Stage
Under the Surface Mining Law
1. In the far distance the mining operation is still in progress, followed by backfilling and rough grading.
2. The valley fill has been completed and grass cover planted. The sedimentation pond at the toe of the fill will remain in place until all the vegetation is established and the danger of sediment leaving the reclaimed site eliminated.
3. The Regulatory Authority has approved the use of terraces on this restored land. The diversion above the highwall is the fist terrace. These terraces have a gentle gradient to direct the flow of water to a safe discharge point, in this case, the stone riprap channel leading to the sedimentation pond (4).
4. The sedimentation pond is being cleaned out. This must be done if sediment accumulates to 60% of the design storage volume. All sedimentation ponds will remain until the site is revegetated or approved as permanent ponds on the reclaimed land.
5. The farm has operated without any incident during the mining operation. The reclamation of the land immediately following the mining has minimized any nuisance caused by the operation and the view from the farmhouse will return to its natural appearance in a short time.
6. The dozer seen here is establishing the final grade on the reclaimed land. The slope is to steep for cultivation along the contour; but, the cleat marks of the tracks help prevent erosion and provide a 'foothold' for grass to become established.
7. Lime and fertilizer are applied and the hillside is cultivated with a slope disc.
8. Seed, fertilizer, and mulch are being applied to the steep slopes in one mix by a hydroseeder.
9. Hand planting of trees and shrubs is being carried out on the steep slopes. These seedling plants will grow quickly and provide the beginning of a reestablished natural forest.
10. The erosion gully which has occurred here must be filled and reseeded. This gully was the result of a very heavy thunderstorm that caused erosion before the plants were fully established.
11. The undisturbed natural barrier, that was left at the beginning of the mining operation to prevent any water running down the slope, has been incorporated into the final grade of the land. Just as it did during the mining operation, this small barrier of soil is still preventing any gully erosion off the mine site.
