Areawide Environmental Assessment for
Issuing New Source NPDES Permits
for Coal Mines,
Gauley River Basin, West Virginia
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
Sixth and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
January, 1980
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THE PRESIDENT'S VIEW OF COAL
It is absolute folly for the United States to ship billions of dollars overseas each year to
bring tankers of foreign oil to our shores while beneath our feet . . . lie more than
300 years of coal reserves just waiting to be used. It is folly that. . . we have idle mine
capacity, mines not being used, because our Nation has failed so far to develop
creative ideas to use our vast coal potential.
The United States is the Saudi Arabia of coal. In all the world, the United States
owns 31 percent of a/1 coal reserves. We are blessed with the largest reserves in the
whole world. And I am determined to see our coal supplies light the way of our country
towardthe future of energy security. I want to see America's coal mines producing—not
only new energy supplies for our country, but new revenues for our economy, new jobs
for the American people and new security for our Nation.
President Jimmy Carter
Louisville, Kentucky
July 31, 1979
Energy: What Happened to Coal?
President Carter's statement exemplifies America's frustration with our
current energy situation. Coal is America's greatest energy resource. The
demonstrated reserve base of US coal and lignite is approximately 398
billion metric tons. This reserve is equal in energy content to all the proven
oil reserves in the world, three times over. This is enough to replace all
other energy sources and provide 100% of our present energy demand for
the next 125 years.
Yet coal production has failed to keep pace with our energy appetite and is
now a distant third to oil and natural gas as an energy source, providing
less than one quarter of our demand. Coal's decline stems from its
undesirable effects on air quality, its history of land and stream
degradation, and its inability to compete with clean, cheap, versatile, and
easily transported oil and natural gas.
Today oil and gas are neither so cheap nor so abundant as in the past. We
are indiscriminate in their use and have become dangerously dependent
on foreign energy sources. Oil and natural gas have replaced coal in many
uses where coal, coupled with appropriate environmental controls, is the
more appropriate fuel.
To regain our energy independence, coal must resume its role in our
energy stockpile, so that oil and gas can be reserved for the uses to which
they are best suited. At the same time, care must be taken to protect our
precious environmental resources.
Coal, the Clean Water Act, and NEPA
With the enactment of Public Law 92-500, the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act Amendments of 1972 (now known as the Clean Water Act
[CWA]), it became a national goal to achieve "fishable and swimmable"
waters throughout the United States by July 1, 1983. By 1 985 there is to
be no discharge of pollutants into navigable waters. To achieve these
ends, Section 402 of the CWA established the "National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System" (NPDES).
To implement this system, a permit program was developed that
established effluent discharge limitations for existing point sources of
pollution, according to category of discharge or industry. The performance
standards for existing sources were followed by stricter limitations for
"New Sources," which also are being issued industry by industry.
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Because they are point sources of water pollution, coal mines must meet
NPDES standards. All coal mines that begin construction after January
12, 1979, are subject to the New Source Standards of Performance. If they
propose to discharge wastewater into surface waters, they must meet the
applicable National New Source Effluent Limitations detailed in the
following table.
New Source coal mines include three basic categories of operation
established by the EPA regulations: new coal preparation plants, new
surface or underground mines, and substantially new mines. First, new
coal preparation plants, independent of mines, are considered New
Sources as of January 1 2, 1 979, unless there were binding contractual
obligations to purchase unique facilities or equipment prior to the January
12 promulgation date. Second, surface and underground mines that
are assigned identifying numbers by the Mine Safety and Health
Administration subsequent to January 12, 1979, automatically are
considered to be New Sources, again unless there were binding contracts
prior to that date. Third, other mines may be regarded by EPA as
"substantially new" operations for NPDES permits, if they: (i) begin to
mine a new coal seam not previously extracted by that mine, (ii) discharge
effluent to a new drainage area not previously affected by that mine, (iii)
cause extensive new surface disruption, (iv) begin construction of a new
New Source Effluent Limitations for the Coal Mining Point Source Category.
Parameter
Total suspended solids
Total iron3
Total manganese
pH range6 (pH units)
Coal Preparation Plants
With Acidic Wastewater
Before Treatment2
1-day
maximum
70.0
6.0
4.0
Average of
30 consecutive
daily values
35.0
3.0
2.0
6 to 9
Acid or Ferruginous
Mine Drainage4
1-day
maximum
70.0
6.0
4.0
Average of
30 consecutive
daily values
35.0
3.0
2.0
6 to 9
Alkaline Mine
Drainage4
Average of
1 -day 30 consecutive
maximum daily values
70.0 35.0
6.0 3.0
— —
6 to 9
'The nationwide minimum NPDES performance standards are for
wastewater discharged after application of the best available
demonstrated control technology by New Sources. The limitations are
not applicable to excess water discharged as a result of precipitation or
snow melt in excess of the 10-year, 24-hour precipitation event. Units
are milligrams per liter (mg/l) except as otherwise indicated (40 CFR
434; 44 FR 9:2582-2596; January 12, 1979).
2No discharge to navigable waterways is allowed from facilities that do not
recycle wastewater for use in processing.
3Total iron limitations are lower than the 7.0(1-day maximum) and 3.5
(average of 30 consecutive daily values) maxima set for existing
sources.
4Drainage that is not from an active mining area (for example, a regraded
area) is not required to meet the stated limitations unless it is mixed
with untreated mine drainage that is subject to the limitations.
5S lightly higher pH may be a I lowed if necessary to achieve the manganese
limitation.
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shaft, slope, or drift, (v) make significant additional capital investment in
equipment or facilities, or (vi) otherwise have characteristics deemed
appropriate by the Regional Administrator to place them in the New
Source category. Numerous existing mines may qualify as "substantially
new." The determination of whether a mine is a New Source will be
conducted case by case, based largely on the information supplied with
the permit application to EPA.
Congress, through the Clean Water Act, has determined that the New
Source Permit Program is a "major Federal action" and falls under the
mandate of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Section
102(2)(C), which states:
[All agencies of the Federal Government shall] include in every recom-
mendation or report on proposals for legislation and other major Federal
actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment,
a detailed statement [an Environmental Impact Statement or EIS] by the
responsible official on:
I. the environmental impact of the proposed action
ii. any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should
the proposal be implemented
Hi. alternatives to the proposed action
iv. the relationship between local short-term uses of man's environ-
ment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term pro-
ductivity, and
v. any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which
would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.
NEPA binds EPA to a comprehensive environmental permit review
process for coal mining applications in West Virginia, so long as EPA
issues NPDES permits. The New Source NPDES program offers signi-
ficantly enhanced opportunity, as compared with the Existing Source
program, for (i) public and inter-agency input to the Federal NPDES permit
review process before mine construction begins, (ii) effective environ-
mental review and consideration of alternatives that may avoid or
minimize adverse effects, and (iii) implementation of environmentally
protective permit conditions on mine planning, operation, and shutdown.
Additionally, NEPA reviews can assist substantially in maintaining and
protecting the present environmental, aesthetic, and recreational re-
sources of the coal regions of West Virginia.
Congress, by enacting the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of
1 977 (SMCRA), also established a national environmental, public health,
and safety regulatory scheme for surface coal mining and reclamatioi
operations. Under the SMCRA, detailed environmental protectior,
performance standards applicable to the coal industry are to be applied
through a phased, comprehensive regulatory program. The permanent
regulatory program (44 FR 15311-15463; March 13,1979) requires more
detailed Federal standards than those set in the initial, interim program,
and they are to be imposed through a permit system.
The SMCRA permit program for privately owned lands may in the future be
delegated to the States, upon approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
Mining activity on Federal lands will continue to require Federal agency
review. Most coal lands in West Virginia are privately owned.
The EPA is currently working with the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) in
the Department of the Interior to develop procedures for coordinating the
New Source NPDES environmental review process for coal mining
industry applications with the similar permit review mandated for those
mines regulated by the Office of Surface Mining under the SMCRA. This
coordination will reduce potential duplication of requirements and will
result in an efficient and comprehensive review process.
Currently, EPA issues NPDES permits in West Virginia. Section 402(a)5 of
the CWA authorizes the Regional Administrator to delegate the permit
program to any State "which he determines has the capability of
administering a permit program which will carry out the objective of this
Act." The State of West Virginia is working to obtain delegation and
probably will be ready to issue NPDES permits sometime in 1 981.
NPDES permits issued through delegated State programs are not
considered significant Federal actions. Hence they are not subject to
NEPA review. The procedure used by EPA in implementing the New
Source NPDES permit program NEPA reviews in West Virginia, therefore,
is expected to be an interim'procedure until the State assumes the
program.
The EPA Permit Environmental Review Process:
An Areawide Approach
The mandated NEPA review has culminated in this Environmental
Assessment of New Source coal mining in the Gauley River Basin. The
basic goal of this Assessment and any subsequent environmental reviews
associated with NPDES permits is to maximize compatibility between the
mining industry and environmental values. EPA has determined that for
West Virginia the most effective way to comply with NEPA on New Source
coal mine permits is to assess new coal activity on an areawide basis. [An]
environmental analysis . . . will document the full range of impacts . . .
apply NEPA effectively to new mining operations and at the same time
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avoid significant disruption to the permitting of new and needed
operations that are environmentally sound(41 FR 1 9840; May 1 3, 1 976).
EPA approached the areawide analysis of impacts in West Virginia on the
basis of river drainage basins. Assessments were completed for the
Gauley and Monongahela Basins during 1979. Assessments for the
remaining basins with coal mining will be completed during 1980.
Baseline information detailing the existing environment: geography and
geology; historic, aesthetic, and recreational sites; environmentally
sensitive areas; stream water quality categories; and other potential areas
of concern was compiled in a uniform format for this Assessment.
Together with the Supplemental Information Form submitted with each
permit application, the Assessment baseline data on USGS topographic
maps now allow rapid initial review of New Source coal mining
applications. This relieves the applicant of the often expensive and time-
consuming burden of environmental data development in areas shown by
these inventories to be environmentally non-sensitive.
All information collected for the Assessment is presented in a Supple-
mental Information Document (SID). Included as part of that document is a
survey of mining methods and associated environmental impacts, to-
gether with an inventory of environmental resources and past coal mining
in the Gauley Basin. The SID also points out in detail the significant
deficiencies in present knowledge of various environmental resources.
Hence, it represents a major step in the practical implementation of
regulations designed to eliminate or minimize the adverse effecfs
traditionally associated with coal mining in the Basin. The intensity of
NEPA review given to mining permit applications will vary with the
environmental sensitivity of the permit area. Three basic classes of areas
are depicted on the map of the Basin.
The accompanying map identifies areas in which mining will have no
significant adverse impacts so long as all permit requirements are met.
For mining industry permits from those areas, this document serves as a
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), provided that all other local.
State, and Federal permit and approval requirements are satisfied.
New Source applications for mining activities in Mitigation Areas will
require additional scrutiny. Mitigation Areas contain specific, individual,
sensitive resources. If the mil igative measure appropriate for the sensitive
resource is stipulated in the New Source application, then the permit can
be issued under the basin-wide FONSI. Alternatively, if the applicant can
demonstrate that there will be no impact, the permit can be issued under
the FONSI. If the appropriate mitigative measure is not specified in the
EPA NEW SOURCE NPDES PERMIT
NEPA REVIEW PROCESS
COAL MINING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY
AREAWIDE
FINDING OF NO
SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT
ISSUE
OR
DENY
PERMIT
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New Source application, however, then a detailed NEPA review ordinarily
will be required of the proposed project to develop the suitable mitigative
condition for the permit.
Applicants for permits in Mitigation Areas are expected to contact EPA to
find out what resources may need mitigative measures. If the mitigation
can be achieved by an appropriate measure agreeable to the applicant,
then the NEPA review process can be expedited. If the appropriate
mitigation is not proposed by the applicant, a more intensive review will be
mandatory. The most extensive Mitigation Areas are associated with the
high quality (Category II) streams of the Basin, which are discussed
subsequently. Localized Mitigation Areas surround wetlands, National
Register historic sites, and other noteworthy resources.
A detailed review of New Source mines and other coal facilities on a case-
by-case basis will be warranted in those areas designated as Potentially
Significant Impact Areas (PSIA's) because of anticipated multiple adverse
effects on various resources such as the following:
Archaeological sites
Sensitive ecosystems
Habitats of endangered species
Historic sites
Wild and scenic rivers
Wetlands
Prime agricultural lands
Significant surface water or groundwater pollution
Mining in a saturated zone
Presence of toxic overburden
Presence of high sulfur coal
Mining of slopes steeper than 25%
Mining of alluvial valley floors
Recreational land uses
Air quality
Noise levels
Quality of life
Other characteristics identified by the Regional Administrator.
New Source applications within the PSIA's will automatically require
more detailed NEPA review to evaluate possible measures or alternatives
to prevent or minimize the negative impacts of the proposed mining
activities. An EIS may be required. If alternatives or mitigation cannot
sufficiently protect these clusters of sensitive resources, the perm it will be
denied.
EPA recognizes the serious pollution problem posed by abandoned mines
in West Virginia. Therefore it expects to expedite its permit review pro-
cess to accommodate with priority any application for the re-mining of
abandoned mine sites, so long as the proposal anticipates that waste-
water discharges and reclamation will satisfy all the currently applicable
standards.
Environmental Assessment for the Gauley River Basin
The Gauley River Basin encompasses about 3,365 sq km (1,420 sq mi) in
West Virginia. No county is entirely wit hint he Basin, which includes parts
of Kanawha, Clay, Nicholas, Fayette, Greenbrier, Summers, Webster,
Randolph, and Pocahontas Counties. The Basin is in the Appalachian
Plateau physiographic section of central West Virginia and is west of the
principal ridges of the Allegheny Mountains. Water from the Gauley River
joins that of the New River at Gauley Bridge to form the Kanawha River,
which is tributary to the Ohio River.
This Assessment addresses the natural and cultural resources of the
Basin that may be affected by future coal mining in compliance with New
Source NPDES wastewater discharge permits issued by EPA or the West
Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WV-DNR). It also reports on the
extent and economic importance of coal mining activities. Particular
attention is given those resources that may be affected adversely by future
mining in the Basin.
The Basin is sparsely populated and has no urban centers. Much of the
area is remote and forested. Developed land represents about 2% of the
Basin; pasture and cropland, 9% and 4%, respectively. The eastern part of
the Basin is within the authorized boundary of the Monongahela National
Forest. Substantial sections have Federal surface ownership, but the
limited Federal ownership of subsurface mineral rights includes almost
none of the coal beneath the Basin.
The coal resources found throughout the Basin generally are of high
quality and are mined by both surface and underground methods. Past
mining activity has contributed to water quality degradation in several
parts of the Basin, but in most streams the water quality is considered to
be high. Substantial mining may occur in the future in the rugged terrain
of the Basin. Coal production and employment vary markedly in response
to the National demand for coal.
A large area in the eastern section of the Basin has been designated by
Congress as a wilderness study area. A State moratorium has been placed
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on new mining in the study area through 1 980. Controversy is sharp over
the conflict between mining and other land uses, both in the proposed
wilderness area and elsewhere in the Basin, because recreation is a major
source of local income. The Basin attracts tourists to various facilities such
as the Summersville Dam, and a major tourist center at White Sulphur
Springs is less than 35 km (20 mi) southeast of the Basin. The entire
Gauley River, together with two of its tributaries (the Cranberry River and
the Meadow River), was recognized by Congress during 1978 as a
potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
The terrestrial and aquatic biota of the Basin are relatively poorly known.
Several small wetlands have been identified, and extensive unspoiled
natural areas remain.
Population in the Basin has fluctuated from a high of 1 63,802 in 1950 to a
low of 1 22,653 in 1 970. As of 1 975, 1 29,1 00 people lived in the Basin
(a 21% drop since 1950). The Basin is sparsely populated and has no
urban centers or towns with more than 2,500 people.
In 1975 there were 35,493 employed persons in the Basin. Government
represented the largest single employment sector (22%), followed by
manufacturing (16.9%), mining (16.8%), services (15.7%), and trade
(1 5.5%). Agriculture accounted for less than 1 % of employment. Mining
employment for the State as a whole dropped 50% from 1950 to 1 975, but
it dropped 70% for the Gauley Basin.
Recreation
In the Gauley Basin, Summersville Lake is the single completed Army
Corps of Engineers project. Situated on the Gauley mainstem near
Summersville, the Lake and adjoining lands are utilized for conservation
of fish and wildlife, as well as for various recreational activities such as
fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking.
As of late 1978, one additional Army Corps of Engineers dam had been
proposed for the Gauley River mainstem near Swiss, downstream from
the Summersville Dam. The project was under moratorium pending study
of the River as a candidate for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Three State administered public hunting and fishing areas and one State
historical park are located in the Basin.
Cultural Resources
Three historic archaeological sites have been identified in the Basin. One
of these sites, in the Kessler Cross Lanes vicinity, was the scene of a Civil
War battle. Now protected as the Carnifex Ferry State Park, it is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places. The two remaining Civil War sites
(Gauley Bridge and Meadow Bluff Breastworks) are recorded in the files
of the West Virginia Department of Culture and History, Historic
Preservation Unit, in Charleston. Additional unidentified or unreported
historic sites may exist in the Gauley Basin.
The State is surveying historic and prehistoric sites, but no data were
made available for this Assessment. Many significant resources may
remain to be discovered, and no comprehensive inventories are planned.
These resources are highly susceptible to damage by the mining of coal,
particularly surface mining. Therefore, archaeological reconnaissance of
individual mine sites may be required of an applicant wherever past
research has not demonstrated a lack of archaeological potential.
Black Bear Habitat
At present, the State black bear population is dependent on five areas of
suitable size and habitat for breeding. All of these are within or in close
proximity to the authorized boundary of the Mo nongahel a National Forest.
Two of these areas are in the Gauley River Basin—the Cranberry Back
Country and Cold Knob.
As a game species, black bears are managed by the State as a renewable
resource that can sustain firearm big game hunting for approximately
three weeks each year. Bow hunting for bears is open from mid-October
until the end of December. It is legal to hunt black bears in ten counties,
including the five black bear breeding areas. Adult bears are considered
legal game only if they are not accompanied by a cub. In the Gauley Basin,
black bears may be hunted in Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph, and
Webster Counties, exclusive of the Cranberry Back Country.
Endangered Species
No plant species known to inhabit the Gauley Basin is classified by Federal
or State agencies as endangered.
At the Federal level, two West Virginia mammals are considered to be in
danger of extinction. The Indiana bat possibly is resident in the Basin, but
the presence of the eastern cougar is doubtful. The southern bald eagle
and the American peregrine falcon are both considered endangered
species. Both of these birds are known migrants through the Basin, and at
times are seasonal visitors. The Kirtland's warbler, also an endangered
species, may pass through the Gauley Basin. No specimens, recognizable
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photographs, or verified sight records of Kirtland's warbler, however, have
been established during recent years in West Virginia. No local fish has
been listed as threatened or endangered.
The Coal Resource
Coal mining is the largest industry in West Virginia. Increased coal
production will greatly benefit the economy of the State and the Nation.
Statewide, the recreation industry ranks a very close second. In the past
these two industries have been in frequent conflict for the use of the West
Virginia landscape.
Today, West Virginia is famous for its rugged terrain and its wild and
pristine mountain streams. From 345 to 130 million years ago West
Virginia was covered by inland seas, rather than by mountains, and these
seas were surrounded by swamps and estuarine marshes. It was during
this period that our Nation's coal was formed by the deposition and
accumulation of organic debris from the lush tropical environment. These
layers of organic material were later buried by coarse-grained sediments.
Coal was formed by the subsequent heating and compaction.
Many separate depositional events, each lasting millions of years, were
coupled with geologic shifts of the terrain. These events produced many
discontinuous coal seams, each representing an ancient, buried swamp.
The size and longevity of each swamp determined the extent and
thickness of each individual coal seam.
The quality of the coal seams in West Virginia relates directly to the
depositional environments of individual swamps and the depth and
duration of burial. Acid-forming, sulfur-bearing minerals known as pyrite
and marcasite (iron sulfides) formed in depositional environments
associated with slowly sinking river deltas and bays. In general, the coal of
the Gauley Basin has low sulfur content and is of value for steam and
coking.
Coal Production
With about 1 8% of total tonnage, West Virginia now ranks second in the
Nation in coal production. Its annual tonnage declined from 1 32.4 million
metric tons in 1950 to 99.1 million metric tons in 1975. This trend was
reversed during the late 1 960's and early 1 970's. The 1 970 production of
130.1 million metric tons nearly reached the 1950 level.
Over this period, the contribution of surface mining increased significantly
in West Virginia. In 1950, 9% of the State's coal production came from
surface mining. By 1 975 surface mines produced about 20% of the coal
For the Gauley Basin, surface mining accounted for about 25% of 1976
coal production.
The State average coal production per man-day worked is 11.2 metric tons
for underground mines and 28.5 metric tons for surface mines. The
combination of decreased production and increased productivity resulted
in a 50% decrease in mining employment and contributed to the 10%
decline in population in the State between 1950 and 1975.
Mining Techniques
The decision to mine coal using surface or underground techniques
generally is based on site-specific factors. The depth of cover and the seam
thickness beneath the permit area are the most important. Development
costs for underground mines are significantly higher than for surface
mines. This differential results in a higher cost per ton for coal mined by
underground methods. To amortize the higher development costs,
underground mines generally produce coal over a longer term than
surface mines. On average, surface mining removes approximately 90%
of the coal seam whereas underground mining extracts about 50% of the
minable coal. Production efficiency depends on the chosen mining
techniques and other site-specific characteristics.
In 1976 there were virtually the same number of surface mines (151) as
underground mines (149) in the Gauley River Basin. Surface mining is
expected to predominate as more operators use the newer surface mining
techniques such as mountaintop removal for coal extraction from steep
slopes.
Of the 352 surface mines in the Gauley and Monongahela Basins
reporting to the State during 1976, 58% (205) used open cut; 33% (118),
open cut plus auger mining (drilling horizontally into the face of the
exposed coal seam); and 9% (29), other kinds of operations including
mountaintop removal.
Economics
Since 1975 the State has levied a coal severance tax at the rate of $3.85
per $100 of gross coal sales. Of this, $3.50 goes to the State Genera I Fund.
Most (75%) of the remaining 35C is distributed to county governments
according to county coal production, and the last 25%, according to county
population.
Mining employment is mostly male, more so than other sectors of
economic activity. Thus, where mining accounts for a large proportion of
total employment, the proportion of female to total employment is low. The
8
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inter-industry multiplier effect of the mining sector on the local economy
is limited. That is to say, little money from this industry is spent to buy
goods and services from other industries in the area, thus creating few
additional jobs and relatively little income for the residents of the region.
Purchases by the mining industry for purposes of producing coal are in
general made outside the area (except, of course, for direct mining labor).
Relatively, coal is a minor factor of production for other industries in the
Basin. Of the coal, 70% is used for electrical power generation, 1 5% for
coke and gas plants, and 15% for other industrial uses. Only 13% of West
Virginia coal is consumed in-state. To the extent that such economic
leakage (flow of money out of the State) occurs, employment in the sectors
providing the mining industry with goods and services is correspondingly
reduced. To some extent, this offsets the stimulus provided by the
relatively high earnings of the mining sector. About 44% of the revenue
generated by the mining industry leaves West Virginia.
On the other hand, it is estimated that from 55% to 63% of every dollar in
travel industry sales is generated by out-of-state travelers, a nd that 83% of
the travel dollar remains in-state. The 83% remaining in-state compares
with 66% of chemical industry sales. Hence, the local multiplier impact of
the travel industry is considerably greater than that of the coal mining or
chemical industries, dollar for dollar.
During 1976-1977 the travel industry sales for the State totaled $647
million. Travel employed 36,425 people directly and an additional 5,755
indirectly. In the Gauley Basin, 9% of employed workers were in the travel
industry and 17% in coal mining according to 1975 data.
Environmental Impacts
There are four prime environmental receptors of impacts from coal
mining:
Groundwater resources
Terrestrial biota
Slopes and waterways (erosion/sedimentation)
Surface waters (water quality).
Groundwater impacts are caused by the disruption of surface soils and
geologic strata. Possible results are reductions in groundwater recharge,
dewatering of local water tables, and leaching of pollutants from toxic or
acid-forming overburdens or mine waste piles.
Terrestrial impacts are those which destroy timber and other vegetation
and which affect wildlife by habitat destruction, primarily as a result of
blasting, overburden removal, and hauling operations. Present State and
Federal reclamation requirements should reduce these adverse effects
over the long term from past levels.
Sediment-laden runoff water generated by the erosion of disturbed soils is
a common but significant problem encountered in managing mine sites.
Erosion and the resulting stream sedimentation contribute to the
exposure of toxic substances, to on-site and off-site water pollution, and to
the loss of soil nutrients leading to reduced soil productivity. Estimates of
erosion from unreclaimed sites vary from a few tons per acre to more than
300 tons per acre. Aquatic organisms can be buried and suffocated or
forced downstream by the silt and sediment. At the same time, the slopes
that have lost soil material are difficult sites for vegetation to reoccupy.
How the Map Was Developed
The map of the Basin shows the relative sensitivity of areas to mining
activity, based on information available to EPA. White areas have no
reported resources of high value. Watersheds of streams with high water
quality, and that are likely to require stringent iron limitations, are shown
in blue. Local, individual resources (such as wetlands or historic sites) that
may necessitate various mitigating measures are shown by green dots.
The Potentially Significant Impact Area (PSIA) is shown in dark green.
Here several resources are likely to require mitigation of potential adverse
impacts.
The delineation of PSIA's began with an inventory of sensitive resources
and past mining activities. The available data were reduced to basin-wide
overlay maps at a scale of 1:125,000 for superimposition and analysis.
In preparing the maps, attention was focused on areas withclusters of the
sensitive resources listed earlier. Such areas require closer evaluation
than non-sensitive areas. After examination of the basin-wide maps,
three classes of resources were given relatively little weight in the
significant area delineation: floodplains, prime agricultural lands, and
urban areas or townsites.
Because floodplains are found along all of the streams in the Basin, they
are not considered to have special importance for PSIA development. The
actual extent of only a few floodplains has been mapped in the Basin;
therefore, floodplain impacts will be appropriately addressed as locally
sensitive resources during individual permit reviews. In general, little
mining is expected in floodplains.
Prime agricultural land in farm use generally will have to be restored after
surface mining pursuant to the SMCRA. The known significant farmlands
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are scattered widely in the Basin and do not form clustered patterns. Prime
agricultural lands within the Basin have been identified and mapped by
EPA from SCS data to allow their protection during initial permit review.
Urbanized areas account for a very small percentage of the Basin. They are
afforded protection from mining by the State and Federal prohibitions on
disturbing buildings without permission from owners or occupants.
Archaeological remains of one or more groups of prehistoric inhabitants
may be found in virtually every type of environmental setting in the Basin.
The absence of presently recorded prehistoric sites does not accurately
reflect the number of sites that are probably present. The five known
historic and archaeological sites were included in the delineation of
Mitigation Areas, but were not used to develop PSIA's.
Important stands of remnant vegetation and other terrestrial biological
resources were considered carefully in defining the PSIA. Aquatic
resources also were weighted heavily, and they are described in the
following paragraphs.
Potentially Significant Impact Area
The Gauley Basin has been studied relatively little, and there are only a
few, scattered reports of noteworthy terrestrial biota. Relatively
generalized indicators of sensitive resources, therefore, were used: high
quality streams, wilderness study areas, and black bear habitat. The result
was a single, large impact area in the upper Basin conterminous with the
authorized boundary of the Monongahela National Forest.
The PSIA extends upstream from the West Virginia Route 20 Bridge in
Nicholas County and includes about one third of the entire Gauley Basin.
Parts of Nicholas, Greenbrier, Webster, Pocahontas, and Randolph
Counties are represented in the roughly rectangular PSIA, which
encompasses about 750 sq km (290 sq mi).
This remote, mountainous PSIA includes numerous streams reported by
the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources to have high quality.
Most of the streams have little buffering capacity, have low productivity
but diverse fauna, and are extraordinarily sensitive even to treated mine
discharges. The high quality streams are tributaries of the Cherry,
Cranberry, Williams, an.d upper Gauley Rivers. There are several
indigenous fish of limited distribution. The Cherry and Gauley Rivers are
reported to be degraded as a result of acid mine drainage; there were few
active surface or underground mines except in these two watersheds as of
1 977. The area is reported to be prime black bear habitat, and much of it is
a sanctuary closed to bear hunting. The forest is a mixture of deciduous
and coniferous trees; rhododendron is a prominent shrub. There are
several scenic features but no known historic sites, and there are no
sizable towns.
In the Monongahela National Forest sect ion of the Gauley River Basin, the
21,400 ha (53,000 ac) Cranberry Back Country has been designated a
Special Interest Area by the US Forest Service. About 1 5,700 ha (36,300
ac) of the Back Country and additional adjacent land were designated a
wilderness study area by PL 93-622, a 1975 amendment to the
Wilderness Act of 1964.
Between 1 910 and 1926, the Cherry River Boom and Lumber Company of
Richmond, Virginia, removed most of the virgin timber from the area
presently designated as the Cranberry Back Country. During 1939, the
Federal Government purchased most of the surface rights to the area, but
40 years later more than 95% of the mineral rights remained in private
ownership. Shortly after surface acquisition by the Federal Government,
the Cranberry Back Country was closed to the public as a fire protection
measure. Since it was reopened to the public during 1945 for non-
motorized travel, the Back Country has been managed by the Forest
Service.
The Forest Service currently recommends that most of the study area be
designated as a National Wilderness. Other areas to the north, east, west,
and south of the study area have been identified as candidates for
designation as roadless areas by the Forest Service.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the designation of part of the
Cranberry Wilderness Study Area as a Wilderness was issued during
1978. All of the surface in the study area is Federally owned, and there are
no surface mining rights outstanding. Most of the study area is under
lease for oil and gas exploration, but there is no current production. The
Forest Service is to complete its study and report its recommendations to
Congress through the President by January 3, 1980.
The PSIA is underlain by privately owned coal, except for small tracts of
Federal fee-simple land surrounding the Cranberry Glades Botanical
Area. Much but not all of the surface land is Federally owned. The Forest
Service at present has little or no control over coal mining, but it does not
allow surface mining where the Federal Government owns the land
surface. A State moratorium prohibits mining in the wilderness study area
prior to 1 981, but mining is allowed elsewhere in the PSIA. Future mining
can be expected to be controversial, and at least one mining plan is
currently in litigation.
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Stream Water Quality
The primary EPA responsibility in administering the NPDES permit
program is to preserve and enhance water quality. TheGauley River Basin
contains approximately 465 named streams. Only a small proportion has
been classified individually in any way.
The following paragraphs explain the State stream classifications. Then
they outline the EPA stream categories that were developed from these
classifications with special attention to the potential for adverse mining
impacts and the need for special mitigative measures.
West Virginia possesses 8,000 streams with a total length of 1 2,000 km
(7,600 mi), 91% of which are classified as warm-water streams. Some
4,730 km (2,850 mi) are polluted by acid mine drainage.
Section 303 of the Clean Water Act requires each State to categorize its
streams according to their ability to meet established surface water
quality criteria at a time when both effluent discharge limitations imposed
by the CWA and available pollution control technology have been applied
to municipal and industrial point source discharges. The streams (or
stream segments) are designated as either Effluent Limited or Water
Quality Limited.
Effluent Limited streams are those which are expected to meet applicable
State water quality standards when pollution control measures are in
effect. Water Quality Limited streams (or segments) are those which are
not expected to achieve State water quality goals even after reasonable
measures are in effect.
The Gauley River mainstem and seven other streams are classified as
Water Quality Limited as a result of acid mine drainage. The Meadow and
Cherry Rivers receive sewage as well as acidic pollution. The rest of the
Basin is regarded as Effluent Limited. Nationwide New Source
Performance Standards limitations (which apply treatment technology
based on both state-of-the-art and economic considerations on a broad
national scale) are applied by EPA to New Source facilities that discharge
to Effluent Limited streams. More stringent discharge limitations may be
necessary for Water Quality Limited streams to achieve the State
designated water quality criteria, because the general effluent limitations
are not stringent enough to implement the State standards within a
margin of safety, but no such limitations are proposed by EPA atthistime.
Surface waters are affected by many chemical parameters. The most
important are acidity and iron. Through a complicated process, not
completely understood at present, exposed iron sulfides are dissolved and
oxidized into sulfuric acid and iron hydroxide. The resulting solution is
known as acid mine drainage. Depending on the degree of acid stream
degradation and the capability of the chemical buffer system to maintain
an acceptable pH, fish growth may be halted, reproduction prevented, or
aquatic biota eliminated. Iron discharged with mine waste can toe very
toxic to aquatic organisms. It kills fish by coating gills with iron hydroxide
precipitates ("yellow boy") and by coating stream bottoms, thus burying
macroinvertebrates and other food organisms.
The four special classes of streams identified by the State of West Virginia
are trout streams, high quality streams, low nutrient streams, and critical
streams. In the Gauley Basin 1 5 trout streams have been designated; 21
high quality streams have been named; 4 low nutrient streams have been
identified; and 4 critical streams have been flagged. The West Virginia
Department of Natural Resources can add or remove streams from these
classes as more information is collected.
Trout streams, designated by the State Water Resources Board, are those
cold-water streams (temperatures less than 21 °C or 70°F) which support
trout populations. Water quality standards for trout streams are" generally
the same as for other streams but are more stringent for dissolved oxygen
and temperature. Only about 1,1 80 km (675 mi) of cold-water streams in
West Virginia are reported to be capable of supporting trout.
Because trout are representative of the pristine streams and contribute to
the large recreation industry of West Virginia, they are a key index to the
environmental quality of many of the State's waters. Trout spawn on
loosely compacted beds of gravel in cold-water streams called redds.
Rapid circulation of oxygen-rich water through the redds is crucial for
survival of trout eggs. As the iron precipitates, it forms floes or a gel which
clogs the beds and kills the spawn.
High quality streams (41 0 statewide) have been identified by the Division
of Wildlife Resources, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources,
according to the following criteria:
All streams which are reported to contain native trout populations
All streams which are stocked with trout (167 streams)
Warm-water streams more than 8 km (5 mi) long which have both
desirable fish populations and public use.
Although the Department of Natural Resources pays special attention to
surface mining applications that may affect designated high quality
streams, some have been polluted by acid mine drainage.
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Low nutrient streams are characterized by high water quality and low
alkalinity. These streams are not highly productive of fish, because they
have few dissolved nutrients to support aquatic life. Nevertheless, such
streams do support trout where sufficient nutrients and favorable pH
levels are present, and they have a diverse native aquatic fauna.
Approximately half of West Virginia's native brook trout streams and half
of the stocked trout streams are low nutrient streams.
Critical streams, identified by the West Virginia Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Reclamation, in conformance with the SMCRA, are
those streams with less than 1 5 ppm methyl orange alkalinity (to pH 4.5)
and conductivity less than 50 umhos/cm. When surface mining is
proposed in watersheds of such streams, the premining application for a
permit is to contain the results of analyses of samples of the overburden
that is to be encountered. Special measures to prevent stream pollution by
runoff from such overburden may be required from applicants for State
surface mining permits.
Based in part on these classes, EPA established three categories of
streams for the purpose of minimizing adverse effects from coal mining
under the New Source NPDES permit program.
Category I streams are not known to have high water quality, native trout,
or other noteworthy endemic fish. This applies to many Water Quality and
Effluent Limited streams. The nationwide NPDES limitations are
appropriate, including limits for total iron at 6.0mg/l(max. 1 -day average)
and 3.0 mg/l (max. 30-day average).
Category II streams are known or presumed (1) to have water quality
substantially higher than the applicable State water quality criteria, (2) to
allow trout reproduction and maintenance, or (3) to have low nutrient
concentrations and poor buffering capacity for discharged pollutants.
Therefore, low iron concentrations are necessary to ensure that such
streams are not degraded by future mining activity. The watersheds of
Category II streams are shown on the map and listed in the following table.
Currently two trout streams are considered to be mine-acid degraded
streams, but they can support catchable-size trout when stocked and
hence provide recreational opportunity for "put and take" fishing. These
streams have an average pH of 6.0. There are 8 other reported mine-acid
degraded streams in the Basin that have not been designated for trout.
West Virginia has not yet established a water quality standard for iron.
EPA intends to maintain and recommends that the State adopt, a 1 mg/l
in-stream iron level in Category II streams (as recommended in the EPA
Quality Criteria for Water). EPA will defer to this water quality standard if
and when the State of West Virginia adopts it. Until such time, EPA will
maintain this level in the following ways.
New Source coal mining applicants proposing to discharge to Category II
streams may receive a New Source NPDES permit by stipulating that the
permitted discharge will not exceed a 1.0 mg/l, 30-day average and a 3.0
mg/l, 1-day maximum iron concentration. If an agreement on such a
stipulation cannot be reached, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
will be prepared on an individual, case-by-case basis. If the EIS finds that
significant adverse impacts would occur from the coal mine discharge, a
permit will be issued only if measures are developed which are sufficient
to mitigate the adverse impacts of the proposed discharge on the Category
II stream. Alternatively, if the applicant for a proposed mine within a
delineated Category II watershed can demonstrate to EPA that the
proposed discharge will not affect a Category II stream, the standard New
Source NPDES permit conditions will apply to the discharge (3.0 mg/l,
30-day average and 6.0 mg/l, 1-day maximum iron concentrations).
In summary, a permit may be issued for a proposed mine in a Category II
watershed if (1) the applicant consents to the stipulation of a 1.0 mg/l, 30-
day average and 3.0 mg/l, 1 -day maximum iron discharge concentration
in the New Source NPDES permit; (2) the applicant demonstrates that the
proposed discharge will not impact a Category II stream; or (3) an EIS is
prepared and after reviewing the EIS and public comments, the Regional
Administrator determines that adverse impacts will be mitigated
adequately. Otherwise, the permit will be denied.
Category III stream segments are streams where there is spawning by
native trout or other noteworthy indigenous species of fish. Wherever
possible, such areas should be protected from mine effluent discharges. A
limitation of no measurable suspended iron may be necessary for
discharges to these areas to protect the fish during spawning, the most
vulnerable part of their life cycle. Special attention will be afforded to
alternatives that would avoid Category III areas. Category III stream
segments have not yet been identified.
In the future a fourth category may be appropriate, which would include
streams with habitat critical for the survival of an aquatic species that has
been designated officially by the Secretary of the Interior as endangered or
threatened with extinction. EPA will not issue NewSource NPDES permits
for coal mining activities in these areas prior to full review of potential
environmental effects. No endangered or threatened aquatic animals are
known to inhabit streams in the Gauley River Basin.
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Category II High Quality Streams, Presented in Geographical Order.
Name
Major Sub-basin
Trout
High
Quality
Low
Nutrient
Critical
Water
Quality
Limited
Segment
Number
Gauley Mainstem
Twenty Mile Creek
Otter Creek
Meadow Creek
Meadow River
Meadow River
Fallrock Branch
Anglins Creek
Wolfpen Creek
Big Clear Creek
South Fork
Little Clear Creek
Laurel Creek
X
X
X
X
Gauley Mainstem
Hominy Creek
Deer Creek
Cherry River
Cherry River
Laurel Creek
Little Laurel Creek
Baber Branch
Improvement Branch
South Fork
Shiras Run
Briery Run
Beech Lick Run
Elk Lick Run
Rock Run
Rough Fork
Little Rocky Run
Becky Run
Cold Knob Fork
Blue Knob Branch
Blizzard Run
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
441
412
443
444
444
413
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High Quality Streams (continued).
Name Major Sub-basin
Trout
High
Quality
Low
Nutrient
Critical
Water
Quality
Limited
Segment
Number
Little Blizzard Run
Big Run
North Fork
Hunters Run
Coats Run
Windy Run
Armstrong Run
Hamrick Run
Carpenter Run
Deacon Run
Fallen Timber Run
Cranberry River
Cranberry River
Jakeman Run
Aldrich Branch
Lower Twin Branch
Upper Twin Branch
Queer Branch
Lick Branch
Hanging Rock Branch
Baldwin Branch
Rough Run
Little Rough Run
Goose Hollow
Pheasant Hollow
Cold Run
Dogway Fork
Birchlog Run
Tumbling Rock Run
North Fork
Hunting Run
Cashcamp Run
Left Fork
South Fork
Red Run
Little Branch
Charles Creek
Enoch Branch
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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High Quality Streams (concluded).
Name Major Sub-basin
Trout
High
Quality
Low
Nutrient
Critical
Water
Quality
Limited
Segment
Number
Big Laurel Creek
Little Laurel Run
Williams River
Williams River
Craig Run
Jonathan Run
Little Fork
Middle Fork
Beechy Run
Laurelly Branch
Hell for Certain Branch
Sheets Gordon Run
Slick Rock Run
Slade Branch
Hammond Run
Coal Run
McClintock Run
North Branch
Kins Creek
Tea Creek
Lick Creek
Right Fork
Sugar Creek
Gauley Mainstem
Miller Run
Big Run
Turkey Creek
Right Fork
Dilly Fork
Coal Fork
Big Run
Straight Creek
South Fork
Middle Fork
North Fork
Panther Run
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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United States
Environmental Protection Agency POSTAGE & FEES PAID
Region III U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
6th & Walnut Streets EPA-335
Philadelphia, PA. 19106
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use S300
(3IR61)
MAJOR ROADWAY
COUNTY BOUNDARY
MAJOR STREAM
DRAINAGE BASIN BOUNDARY
CATEGORY II STREAM WATERSHED
OTHER KNOWN MITIGATION AREA
POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AREA
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