United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research EPA-600 7-79-062
Laboratory July 1979
Cincinnati OH 45268
Research and Development
v*EPA
Environmental
Assessment of
Surface Mining
Methods
Head-of-Hollow
Fill and
Mountaintop
Removal
Interagency
Energy/Environment
R&D Program
Report
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7. Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the INTERAGENCY ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT series. Reports in this series result from the
effort funded under the 17-agency Federal Energy/Environment Research and
Development Program. These studies relate to EPA's mission to protect the public
health and welfare from adverse effects of pollutants associated with energy sys-
tems. The goal of the Program is to assure the rapid development of domestic
energy supplies in an environmentally-compatible manner by providing the nec-
essary environmental data and control technology. Investigations include analy-
ses of the transport of energy-related pollutants and their health and ecological
effects; assessments of, and development of, control technologies for energy
systems; and integrated assessments of a wide range of energy-related environ-
mental issues.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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EPA-600/7-79-062
July 1979
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF SURFACE MINING METHODS:
HEAD-OF-HOLLOW FILL AND MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL
Interim Report
by
Skelly and Loy
Engineers - Consultants
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110
Contract No, 68-03-2356
Project Officer
John F. Martin
Extraction Technology Branch
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Industrial Environmental Re-
search Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved
for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily
reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute en-
dorsement or recommendation for use.
11
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FOREWORD
When energy and material resources are extracted, processed, converted,
and used, the related pollutional impacts on our environment and even on
our health often require that new and increasingly more efficient pollution
control methods be used. The Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory-
Cincinnati (IERL-CI) assists in developing and demonstrating new and improved
methodologies that will meet these needs both efficiently and economically.
This interim report addresses the current state-of-the-art for the
mountaintop removal and head-o£-hollow fill method of surface mining. The
report presents a general environmental assessment of these techniques for
several West Virginia and Kentucky mine sites, and evaluates the environ-
mental acceptability of this mining method in view of its effectiveness in
minimizing off-site environmental degradation and enhancing land use of re-
claimed areas.
This report will be of interest to the mining industry and State and
Federal agencies associated with coal extraction. For further information
contact the Extraction Technology Branch of the Resource Extraction and
Handling Division.
David G. Stephan
Director
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati
111
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ABSTRACT
This study explores the environmental impact of the mining and
reclamation techniques employed in West Virginia and Kentucky mountain-
top removal and head-of-hollow fill sites. The project is divided into four
major phases, the first three of which are discussed in this Interim Report.
I. State-of-the-Art Review
II. General Environmental Assessment of West Virginia and
Kentucky Mine Sites
HI. Intensive Mine Site Monitoring and Environmental Assessment
in Both States
IV. Evaluation and Update of Construction Guidelines
In addition to a comprehensive literature review completed during
Phase I, a series of detailed investigations was conducted at ten mine sites
in West Virginia and Kentucky over a period of one year. The purpose of
these investigations was to assess the impacts of variable physical factors
such as geology, topography, and climatology in relation to the mining and
reclamation criteria employed. Study mine site case histories are pre-
sented, as well as conclusions and recommendations drawn from data and
observations gathered during this course of study.
This report was submitted in fulfillment of Contract Number 68-03-
2356 by Skelly and Ley under the sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. This interim report covers the first year (November
4, 1975 to January 1, 1977) and work was completed as of March 1, 1977,
however the study is not complete until February 4, 1979.
iv
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CONTENTS
Foreword ill
Abstract iv
Figures vi
Tables x
Conversion Table - English to Metric xv
Acknowledgment xvi
1. Introduction 1
2. Conclusions 6
3. Recommendations 9
4. Background Information 16
5. Phase I - State-of-the-Art Review 25
Mountaintop removal technique 25
Head-of-hollow fill disposal method 30
6. Phase II - General Site Assessment 53
Site selection criteria 53
West Virginia case histories 56
Kentucky case histories ..... 93
7. Discussion of Study Findings 135
8. Project Status - Phase III 193
References 198
Appendix 199
v
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FIGURES
Number Page
1 Illustration of recommended modification for
head-of-hollow fills 13
2 Cross sections of recommended modification for
head-of-hollow fills 14
3 Cross section D—D' alternate toe stabilization designs
for head-of-hollow fills 15
4 West Virginia head-of-hollow fill 31
5 Cross section of typical West Virginia head-of-hollow
fill 32
6 Kentucky head-of-hollow fill 38
7 Cross section of typical Kentucky head-of-hollow fill ... 39
8 Sequence of Kentucky head-of-hollow fill construction
not utilizing fill pushdown techniques 42
9 Sequence of Kentucky head-of-hollow fill construction
meeting 48 hour pushdown requirements 44
10 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site BA 57
11 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site BA . . 58
12 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site HA 64
13 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site HA . . 65
VI
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FIGURES (Continued)
Number Page
14 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site MA 71
15 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site MA . . 72
16 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site OA 80
17 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site OA . . 81
18 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site PA 87
19 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site PA . . 88
20 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site EA 94
21 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site EA . . 95
22 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site FA 102
23 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site FA . . 1O3
24 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site GA 111
25 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site GA . . 112
26 Typical rock sequence for mining hazard no. 5A 114
27 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site IA 121
VI1
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FIGURES (Continued)
Number Page
28 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site IA . . . 122
29 Temperature records in 1976 by month for mine
site KA 128
30 Total precipitation in 1976 by month for mine site KA . . 129
31 Applecore 144
32 Mountaintop site 144
33 Excavated pond 145
34 Gabion dam 145
35 Clearing and grubbing a mine site 146
36 Windrowed vegetation 146
37 Loader/truck combination 146
38 Power shovel/truck combination 147
39 Pan scraper 148
4O Dragline 148
41 Typical blasting 149
42 Dust control 149
43 Mountaintop lake 150
44 West Virginia hollow fill 152
viii
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FIGURES (Continued)
Number Page
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
Kentucky hollow fill
Rock core drain construction
Elevated rock core
Slip area in hollow fill
Erosion of outslope in West Virginia
Long uninterrupted outslope in a Kentucky fill
Kentucky fill outslope benched for erosion protection . , .
Regrading a hollow fill
Revegetated mountaintop site
Revegetated head-of-hollow fill
Water quality monitoring equipment
Typical internal structure of hollow fills
153
153
154
154
155
156
156
157
157
158
158
159
159
160
161
161
169
IX
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TABLES
Number Page
1 Description of General Assessment Sites 5
2 Hydrologic Data - West Virginia Study Region 19
3 Hydrologic Data - Kentucky Study Region 23
4 Specifications for Temporary Slope Drains 48
5 Kentucky Highway Erosion Control 52
6 Water Quality at Mine Site BA's Sediment Pond 61
7 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site BA 62
8 Equipment Used at Mine Site HA 66
9 Water Quality at Mine Site HA's Sediment Pond 69
10 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site HA 70
11 Overburden at Mine Site MA 73
12 Equipment Used at Mine Site MA 75
13 Water Quality at Mine Site MA's Sediment Pond 77
14 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site MA 78
15 Equipment Used at Mine Site OA 82
16 Water Quality at Mine Site OA's Sediment Pond 84
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TABLES (Continued)
Number Page
17 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site OA 85
18 Equipment Used at Mine Site PA 89
19 Water Quality at Mine Site PA's Sediment Pond 91
20 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site PA 92
21 Overburden at Mine Site EA 96
22 Equipment Used at Mine Site EA 97
23 Water Quality at Mine Site EA's Sediment Pond 99
24 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site EA 100
25 Overburden at Mine Site FA . 104
26 Equipment Used at Mine Site FA 106
27 Water Quality at Mine Site FA's Sediment Pond 108
28 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site FA 109
29 Overburden at Mine Site GA 113
30 Equipment Used at Mine Site GA 116
31 Water Quality at Mine Site GA's Sediment Pond 118
XI
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TABLES (Continued)
Number Page
32 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site GA 1 19
33 Equipment Used at Mine Site IA 123
34 Water Quality at Mine Site IA's Sediment Pond 125
35 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site IA 126
36 Equipment Used at Mine Site KA . 131
37 Water Quality at Mine Site KA's Sediment Pond 133
38 Climatological Conditions During Water Quality
Sampling Periods at Mine Site KA 134
39 Advantages and Disadvantages of Mountaintop
Removal Mining in West Virginia and Kentucky 135
40 Advantages and Disadvantages of West Virginia's
Head-of-Hollow Fill Construction Techniques 138
41 Advantages and Disadvantages of Kentucky's Head-
of-Hollow Fill Construction Techniques 141
42 Areas of Environmental Impact Associated with
Head-of-Hollow Fills 143
43 West Virginia Mountaintop Site Assessment 162
44 Kentucky Mountaintop Site Assessment 163
45 West Virginia Head-of-Hollow Fill Site Assessment . . . 164
xii
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TABLES (Continued)
Number Page
46 Kentucky Head-of-Hollow Fill Site Assessment 166
47 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site BA 171
48 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site HA 172
49 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site MA 173
50 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site OA . 174
51 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site PA 175
52 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site EA 176
53 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site FA 177
54 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site GA 178
55 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site IA 179
56 Fill Characteristics for Mine Site KA 180
57 Water Quality Data General Assessment Sites
(West Virginia Influent) 181
58 Water Quality Data General Assessment Sites
(West Virginia Effluent) 182
59 Water Quality Data General Assessment Sites
(Kentucky Influent) 183
6O Water Quality Data General Assessment Sites
(Kentucky Effluent) 184
sdii
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TABLES (Continued)
Number Page
61 Summary of Effluent Key Mine Drainage Parameters . . 185
62 Summary of Effluent Metal Analyses of Mine Drainage . . 186
63 Summary Description of West Virginia Highway
Disposal Sites (Hollow Fills) 189
64 Alternative Uses of Some Reclaimed Surface Mines . . . 191
65 Time Table of Events for Mine Site LA 193
66 Water Quality Analyses 195
67 Time Table of Events for Mine Site SA 197
68 Climatological Conditions for Mine Site FA 199
69 Climatological Conditions for Mine Site GA 200
70 Climatological Conditions for Mine Site IA 20t
71 Climatological Conditions for Mine Site HA 2O2
72 Climatological Conditions for Mine Site MA 203
xiv
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CONVERSION TABLE - ENGLISH TO METRIC
Multiply (English Units)
English Unit Abbreviation
acre ac
acre—feet ac ft
British Thermal
Unit BTU
cubic feet/minute cfm
cubic feet/second cfs
cubic feet cu ft
cubic feet cu ft
cubic inches cu in
degree Fahrenheit °F
feet ft
gallon gal
gallon/minute gpm
inches in
pounds Ib
mile mi
square feet sq ft
square inches sq in
ton (short) ton
yard yd
by
Conversion
0.4047
1233.5
To Obtain (Metric Units)
Abbreviation Metric Unit
ha
cu m
0.252
O.O28
1.7
0.028
28.32
16.39
0.555 (°F-32)*
0.3048
3.785
O.O631
2.54
0.454
1.609
0.0929
6.452
0.907
kg cal
cu m/min
cu m/min
cu m
I
cu cm
°C
m
I
I/sec
cm
kg
km
sq m
sq cm
kkg
0.9144
m
hectares
cubic meters
kilogram-calories
cubic meters/minute
cubic meters/minute
cubic meters
liters
cubic centimeters
degree Centigrade
meters
liters
liters/second
centimeters
kilograms
kilometer
square meters
square centimeters
metric ton (1OOO
kilograms)
meter
Actual conversion, not a multiplier.
xv
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ACKNOWLEDGMFMT
The data presented within this report would not have been possible
without the unprecedented cooperation provided by the personnel at the study
mine sites. Because these companies prefer to remain anonymous, indi-
viduals or company affiliation will not be identified; we would, however,
like those involved in this study to know that their help during the past year
is gratefully acknowledged.
A special thanks to Mr. Ben Greene, Mr. William Raney, and
Mr. James Pitsenbarger of the West Virginia Department of Natural Re-
sources Division of Reclamation and to Mr. Ralph Waddle, Mr. Vernal
Chaffins, and Mr. Edward Boggs of the Kentucky Department for Natural
Resources and Environmental Protection for their continued assistance
throughout this project.
Project Officers for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
during this past year were Mr. Elmore C. Grim and Mr. John F. Martin.
xvi
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
It is encouraging that, as the United States celebrates two hundred
years of progress and development, we are finally realizing that our abun-
dant natural resources are limited and will someday run dry. This is a
dramatic change in attitude from the early years of our country, when we
used and abused our resources without restraint. The rationale of this
philosophy during early exploration and development of the nation is well
documented; however, recent fluctuations in the availability of energy
resources have brought the inherent long term problems associated with
a "cowboy economy" to the attention of each citizen. Personal shortages
coupled with man's new perspective of spaceship Earth have led to a
growing grassroots concern for the economic and environmental aspects
of energy development, distribution and consumption.
In response to its current energy supply dependence on foreign
nations, the United States has undertaken the prodigious task of attaining
self-sufficiency as soon as possible. Necessarily, a portion of the drive
for self-sufficiency is aimed at development of new energy sources or
innovative methods for low entropy utilization of existing resources.
Until these breakthroughs occur, however, we are forced to rely on
existing fuel acquisition and utilization technologies.
It is imperative that energy resource recovery of established
reserves be maximized to avoid intensifying the already critical situation.
Coal is our nation's most abundant energy source. Measured reserves in
Appalachia amount to 106.6 billion metric tons (117.6 billion tons), 61%
of the coal resources found in eastern United States. Due to environmental
constraints, extraction of coal is in danger of being curtailed in the steep-
sloped regions of West Virginia (which contain 33% of Appalachia's
reserves), and Kentucky (with 22% of Appalachia's reserves).
Conventional contour stripping techniques are now under close
scrutiny and could be abolished in some of the steeper terrain common to
these areas. It cannot be denied: this mining method, as employed in the
past, created serious environmental problems. General practices
employed deposition of overburden material (spoil) beyond the low wall in
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large unconsolidated piles on the steep hillside. Spoil, thus exposed to
erosion and weathering, allowed sediment, acid and other toxins to wash
into adjacent streams. Landslides resulted in destruction of downslope
vegetation and loss of spoil material necessary for reclamation.
In addition to the environmental considerations, large untapped
coal reserves resulting from the uneconomical stripping ratios of contour
mining techniques is a major concern. Quite often, due to fluctuating coal
market conditions and cash flow problems, economics dictated the abandon-
ment of contour mine sites as overburden depths increased. This practice
resulted in unsightly "applecores" or "biscuits" of isolated mountaintops
completely surrounded by highwalls. When the area is reclaimed, subse-
quent coal extraction is costly and unattractive. Auger mining can recover
a very small amount of this trapped resource; however, with current
practices, this would render mining the remaining portion of the seam
unfeasible.
In 1967 a new mining method - mountaintop removal - was first
employed at a large operation in West Virginia. Mountaintop removal was
designed to minimize the environmental impact of contour mining while
meeting the requirements of current surface mining regulations. Essen-
tially, it makes possible total recovery of the coal seam by removal of all
overburden.
The large volumes of spoil resulting from mountaintop removal
require special handling to protect the environment. Head-of-hollow fill
disposal was developed to provide storage space for the excess overburden.
Use of this fill method permits construction of a large, stable area rather
than unsightly sinuous bands of unstable, highly erodable spoil outslopes.
Despite the fact that head-of-hollow fill construction and mountain-
top removal methodologies have been in use for a number of years through-
out southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, their environmental
effects have never been fully investigated. A major goal of this study is to
assess the environmental impacts common to these associated techniques,
and to evaluate the reclamation process. A second and equally important
objective is the development of guidelines for environmentally sound moun-
taintop removal mining and head-of-hollow fill construction based on
evaluations of premine planning, site selection criteria, operating proce-
dures, reclamation plans, and sediment and erosion control. Final recom-
mendations for both techniques will provide guidelines, which, if properly
employed, will minimize off-site environmental degradation and produce
usable mountaintop land.
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SCOPE
The study, Environmental Assessment of Surface Mining Methods:
Head-of-Hollow Fill and Mountaintop Removal, is divided into five (5)
phases:
I Technical Review of Current State-of-the-Art
II General Environmental Assessments of West Virginia
and Kentucky Mine Sites
III Intensive Environmental Assessments of Mine Sites
in West Virginia and Kentucky
IV Evaluation and Update of Guidelines
V Final Report
This Interim Report presents study findings for Phases I and II, and
defines project status for Phases III and IV.
STUDY DEVELOPMENT
Phase I - State-of—the-Art Review
A prerequisite for any research investigation is an in-depth
understanding of existing technology and previous research efforts.
Phase I was divided into three areas of effort:
• Collection of background information on techniques
• Land use evaluation
• Primary field evaluation
For ease of presentation and understanding, the results of this review
have been incorporated into two sections;
Section 4 Background Information
• Physical Description of the West Virginia
Study Region
• Physical Description of the Kentucky Study
Region
Section 5 Phase I - State-of-the-Art
• Mountaintop Removal Technique
• Head-of-Hollow Fill Spoil Disposal Method
Physical conditions in the coal regions of West Virginia and Kentucky
which have necessitated the development and utilization of these two
innovative techniques are described in Section 5. In addition to the sur-
face mining industry, highway construction divisions of both states have
used head-of-hollow fills during interstate highway construction projects.
A comparative evaluation will be made between methods of spoil disposal
used by the states and those used by industry.
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Phase II — General Site Assessment
General site assessments have been conducted at ten mining opera-
tions for a period of one year. These sites were selected from a group
of 26 possible coal and highway operations in the steep-sloped terrain of
southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. A brief description of
each mine is presented in Table 1. Study sites at the time of selection
were in various stages of construction, enabling evaluation of all aspects
of planning, mining, fill construction and reclamation, particularly as
they relate to the environmental assessment at each site.
Periodic field visits in Phase II were conducted for environmental
evaluation of each mine site with respect to water quality, land use and
socioeconomic considerations. The results and discussion of these
assessments are presented in Section 6.
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TABLE 1. DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL ASSESSMENT SITES
MINE
SITES
BA
HA
MA
OA
PA
EA
FA
GA
IA
KA
LOCATION
West Virginia
X
X
X
X
X
Kentucky
X
X
X
X
X
SIZE*
A
X
X
X
B
X
X
X
X
c
X
X
X
TYPE MINE
Mountaintop
Removal
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Contour
Strip
X
X
COAL SEAM
Single
Seam
X
X
X
Multiple
Seams
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
HEAD-OF-
HOLLOW FILL
No
Yes
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
*A = <180,000 metric Ton/Year
B = > A <450,000 metric Ton/Year
C = > B <1,36O,OOO metric Ton/Year
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SECTION 2
CONCLUSIONS
Mountaintop removal mining is an environmentally desirable surface
mining technique in the steep sloped terrain of southwestern West
Virginia and eastern Kentucky when conducted in compliance with exist-
ing reclamation criteria.
Head-of-hollow fill reclamation can reduce adverse environmental
impacts occasionally associated with other reclamation practices such
as contour regrading in steep terrain or downslope spoil casting. Spe-
cifically, these improvements are realized in erosion and sedimentation
control, spoil stabilization, revegetation success and land use potential.
Land use potential can be dramatically improved when mountaintop
removal mining is accompanied by well-designed and constructed head-
of-hollow fills.
Successful head-of-hollow fill reclamation is dependent upon a number
of variables including fill site topography, spoil characteristics and
composition, construction techniques, fill compaction, internal and ex-
ternal drainage systems, final face slope, and revegetation techniques,
as well as intended land use. Various construction techniques can be
successfully employed if adequate safeguards are provided for these
physical constraints.
Carrying the rock core drainage system to the surface of West Virginia
head—of—hollow fill operations is expensive, may serve little purpose
after construction is completed, and severely restricts the land use
potential of the completed site.
Kentucky's head—of-hollow fill reclamation regulations are not as
restrictive as West Virginia's. Consequently, given the same mining
conditions, the Kentucky operators must take more care during con-
struction to achieve the same degree of reclamation success.
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Due to the nature of spoil material and fill placement techniques in West
Virginia fills, particle alignment will tend to be perpendicular to the
typical failure plane, a desirable construction feature. In normal
Kentucky end-dumped fills the particle alignment will tend to be in the
direction of the failure plane, offering less resistance to slippage.
Kentucky's requirement for reducing the outslope in hollow fills every
48 hours may effectively eliminate the natural formation of an under-
drainage system by mixing fine materials with the large french drain
forming spoil. This will tend to clog any drain which is formed.
Kentucky fill drainage system efficiency may be reduced further if a
high percentage of shale is permitted in the bottom of the fill mass.
Rapid decomposition of shale in the underdrain causes the same type of
clogging and failure as does the fine grained spoil.
Woody vegetation removed from the mine or hollow fill area is frequently
windrowed between the toe of the fill and its associated sedimentation
pond. However, carelessly placed vegetation may be buried by fill
material, which may lead to subsequent failure of the fill mass.
Directing surface water runoff through a rock core (West Virginia) in
head-of-hollow fill sites appears to have a filtering effect, thereby
limiting the suspended solids concentration of drainage entering the
sediment pond. This can be beneficial to pond maintenance.
Sedimentation basins in both West Virginia and Kentucky are frequently
far removed from the actual mining. As a result, drainage areas and
influent water volumes are significantly increased, which causes either
a decrease in detention time and settling efficiency, or requires a much
larger pond capacity.
Although West Virginia surge ponds located at the head of the rock core
are not intended to retain water for long periods of time, those con-
structed in clay material often do just this. In such cases, stability
problems occur from pond seepage which slowly saturates the fill, thus
reducing particle integrity or causing direct seepage through the fill
face.
During mining, sediment control is accomplished by diverting all sui—
face water through hollows where sediment ponds have been constructed.
In West Virginia, water passing down a hollow fill site will have little
erosion impact due to the rock core; however, water draining over a
Kentucky fill can cause serious erosion of the fill.
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Rock cores protruding above the fill mass can contribute to fill face
erosion if the surface of the core becomes silted at the bench-core inter-
face. This malfunction of the water diversion system causes water to
pond on the bench and then flow down the fill face.
Long uninterrupted slopes of the typical Kentucky hollow fill present a
greater erosion potential than the steeper but shorter benched slopes of
the West Virginia fills.
Greater precautions for erosion control must be taken in Kentucky during
fill construction, because the unvegetated slope is exposed to possible
erosion for long periods due to construction techniques. In West Vir-
ginia each lift is revegetated immediately upon fill completion thus
stabilizing the surface; however, in Kentucky, the entire fill must be
completed before revegetation begins.
Ultimate stability of West Virginia and Kentucky head-of-hollow fills are
unknown. «Further tests need to be conducted such as compaction and
consolidation tests, grain size distribution, Atterburg limits, shear
strength and water movement within the fill.
Regulations and construction guidelines for waste disposal sites (head-
of—hollow fills) of the highway industry are less restrictive than surface
mining requirements in both West Virginia and Kentucky. Rock cores
are not required in West Virginia highway fills, although a surface rip-
rap drain is generally provided as an erosion control system.
8
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SECTION 3
RECOMMENDATIONS
SITE SELECTION
• Hollow fill sites should be free of spring or wet weather seeps, unless
the mining plan provides for lateral drains to be constructed from the
wet area to the main underdrain.
• Slope of the hollow at the proposed toe of the fill should not exceed 10°
unless additional stabilizing structures, such as keyway cuts and/or
rock buttresses are utilized.
SITE PREPARATION
• Sediment control ponds should be constructed near the proposed toe of
the fill.
• Clearing and grubbing should take place just ahead of the spoil place-
ment. All organic material must be removed from the fill zone, not
buried within it.
FILL CONSTRUCTION
• If the toe of the fill lies on steep terrain with "V"-shaped valleys
(Figures 1 and 2), a keyway cut should be installed at the toe to in-
crease stability and minimize the risk of failure. Its trapezoidal shape
and minimum dimensions are illustrated in Figure 3 part A:
Depth: 1.5 meters (5 ft.) into consolidated material
Side slopes: No flatter than 1^:1
Bottom width: No less than 3 meters (10 ft.)
In fills < 765,000 cubic meters, an alternate design to the trapezoid
keyway cut is the benched fill shown in Figure 3 part B:
Side slope: No natter than 1^:1
Bottom width: No less than 3 meters (10 ft.)
Regardless of design shape, the keyway should be filled with durable
sandstone rock for maximum effectiveness. Where detailed soils analy-
-------
ses indicate adequate foundation stability, the keyway cut may be
eliminated.
In addition to a keyway cut, in large head-of-hollow fill operations
( >765,000 cubic meters -1.0 million cubic yards) a rock toe buttress
should be constructed to further stabilize the fill mass.
A rock underdrainage system should be constructed along the hollow's
natural drainway with lateral drains to each spring or seep.
1. In fills containing less than 765,000 cubic meters or
1,OOO,OOO cubic yards of predominantly sandstone, the
main drain dimensions should be not less than 2.4 meters
wide by 1.2 meters high (8 ft. by 4 ft.); if overburden is
predominantly shale, the underdrain should be not less than
4.9 meters by 2.4 meters (16 ft. by 8 ft.).
2. In fills containing more than 765,OOO cubic meters of pre-
dominantly sandstone, the main drain dimensions should not
be less than 4.9 meters by 2.4 meters (16 ft. by 8 ft.); if
overburden is predominantly shale, the underdrain should not
be less than 4.9 meters by 4.9 meters (16 ft. by 16 ft.).
These underdrains (both main and lateral) should be designed
by a qualified engineer based on assessment of site specific
geologic and physical factors.
All underdrains should be of durable rock with no more than 10% of a size
<0.3 meters (12 inches) and no material larger than 25% of the drain
width.
(NOTE: The preceding size restrictions are designed to provide assured
drainage with relatively little control, and are, therefore, considerably
larger than would be required should the operator elect to construct a
more carefully designed underdrainage system such as a graded rock
system with the requisite filter blanket.- •
Spoil placement can be accomplished as follows:
1. > 65% sandstone, material can be sidedumped and need not be
compacted but should be worked in level benches at the end of
each shift.
2. < 65% sandstone, material can be sidedumped, but should be
picked up at bottom of dump point and placed on fill bench in
1.2 meters (4 ft.) layers and compacted.
3. In steep terrain with >9O% sandstone overburden, underdratn-
age systems can be constructed through natural segregation
by sidedumping.
(NOTE: Sidedumping can only be accomplished effectively in
relatively steep terrain).
10
-------
• When fills are constructed by clumping from a higher elevation, there
should be a good mix of end dumping and sidedumping (spoil tends to be
plate shaped and dumping from one location will align material in a single
plane creating slip failure planes).
' The fill should be benched for increased stability as shown in Figure 2,
sections B through BB1:
Vertical lift height; 15 meters (50 ft.) maximum
Bench width: 6 meters (20 ft.) minimum
Slope toward diversion ditches: 3-5%
Slope toward fill mass: 3-5%
Surface stabilization: revegetation concurrent with construction
" All surface drainage should be diverted away from the fill site to diver-
sion ditches constructed in undisturbed material — these ditches should
be protected by riprap or other means in steep grades such as outslopes.
The preceding recommends guidelines for the construction of environ-
mentally stable head-of-hollow fill spoil disposal. Two points must be
emphasized however: 1) each mine site is physically different and any
adopted criteria should provide for alternative construction techniques
considerate of these physical variations; and 2) these criteria should
allow flexibility in the surface reclamation for sculpting the final land-
form to harmonize with the local environment and regional land use plan.
The stability of a fill mass is generally dependent upon four factors —
drainage control, fill site topography, characteristics of the spoil, and
method of placement — with the latter three being site variable. There-
fore, the mine operator should have the option to choose the construction
method which will meet the objective of creating an environmentally sound
fill in the most cost-efficient manner, as dictated by specific mine site
conditions.
• There are numerous construction and reclamation schemes which can be
successfully utilized depending upon site specific physical factors and
ultimate land use goals and objectives. Regardless of the particular
scheme employed, the fill should be designed by a qualified engineer
based on analyses of the composition of spoil materials and the physical
character of the proposed fill site.
COMMENTS CONCERNING CURRENT OPERATIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA
AND KENTUCKY
" In mining operations where overburden is comprised largely of shales or
clays ( >35%), the internal drainage system is crucial for ultimate fill
stability. Spoil should be hauled to the fill lift and compacted by equip-
11
-------
ment, with the most durable sandstone selected for placement into the
drainage system (rock core or french drain).
In Kentucky fill sites, water diverted from the active mine site should not
be permitted to run through the fill unless conveyed by a riprap channel or
pipe. These fills are unconsolidated and easily eroded, thus acute envi-
ronmental damage can occur.
Long uninterrupted fill slopes, generally occurring in Kentucky, should
be avoided by cutting diversion ditches (10° maximum slope) across the
fill face, thus reducing the erosion potential of these long slopes.
Vegetative material should not be windrowed immediately adjacent to the
anticipated final outslope of the hollow fill. Quite often this material be-
comes covered during the fill operation, thereby decreasing fill mass
stability.
Surge pond's placed at the head of the West Virginia hollow fill cores
should be constructed to completely drain through the core. Any water
retained in this pond can only cause instability by saturating fill material
or creating seeps within the fill.
Sedimentation basins should be constructed in close proximity to the
actual mining operation, thereby reducing the drainage area and volume
of water through the pond.
Reclamation schemes for mountaintop removal mine sites should be care-
fully reviewed by the responsible regulatory agencies to assure that they
are considerate of the regional aesthetic environment. Unless the cumula-
tive effect of individual reclamation plans are considered, we run the risk
of creating visually monotonous ranges of leveled mountaintops in areas
characterized by their Innate rustic beauty — a region that has very
limited potential for development of these leveled areas.
More diligent use should be made of the artist/designer in the final recla-
mation scheme to sculpture the land to a form that harmonizes with the
surrounding environment while reflecting or expressing the function or
afte r-use of the site .
12
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HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
to fig
RIP-RAP DRAIN
BENCH
lI'llJl'l
UNDERDRAIN
SEDIMENT
CONTROL POND
Figure 1. Illustration of recommended modification
for head-of-hollow fills.
-------
CROW N FILL SURFACE
RIP-RAP DRAIN
RIP-RAP DRAIN
SLOPE 3%-5%
ORIGINAL GROUND
UNDERDRAIN
SECTION A-A'
BENCH
SLOPE 3%-5%
RIP-RAP DRAIN
FILL OUTSLOPE
SLOPE 2:1
BENCH
LOPE 3 %-5 %
BENCH SLOPE
3% TO 5 %
RIP-RAP
DRAIN
FILL MASS
NATURAL HOLLOW SLOPE
UNDERDRAIN
SECTION B THRU BB'
FIRST BENCH
RIP-RAP DRAIN
SLOPE 3%- 5%
RIP-RAP DRAIN
SLOPE 3%-5% —•
ORIGINAL GROUND
UNDERDRAIN
SEE TEXT
SECTION C-C'
Figure 2. Cross sections of recommended
modification for head-of-hollow fills.
14
-------
20' BENCH
RIP-RAP
DRAINWAY
FILL OUTSLOPE 2:1
RIP-RAP
DRAINWAY
ORIGINAL GROUND
UNDERDRAIN
SLOPE 1.5:1
K E Y W A Y
CUT
A. TRAPEZOIDAL KEYWAY CUT
20' BENCH
FILL OUTSLOPE 2 : 1
ORIGINAL GROUND
U NDERDRAIN
SLOPE 1.5:1
B. BENCHED KEYWAY CUT
Figure 3. Cross section D-D' alternate
toe stabilization designs for
head-of-hollow fills.
IS
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SECTION 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WEST VIRGINIA STUDY REGION
Topography
Most of West Virginia can be divided into two major geographic
divisions. Except for the eastern panhandle which lies in the Ridge and
Valley Province, the state lies in the Appalachian Plateau. Because the
Allegheny Mountain Chain is the most pronounced feature of the eastern
part of the plateau, it is appropriate to consider this section individually.
The Allegheny Mountain Chain contains the highest land in the
state. Peak elevations range from about 762 meters (2,500 feet) to
1,481 meters (4,86O feet) above sea level at Spruce Knob. Two topogra-
phic characteristics justify recognition of this area as a separate unit.
First, the altitudes and the degree of dissection are greater here than in
the plateau to the west. Secondly, the rocks of this section are mildly
folded, and erosion on anticlines and synclines has produced a number of
structurally controlled ridges and valleys that give the topography a pro-
nounced lineation.
The Appalachian Plateau covers the western two-thirds of the state
and includes the study region for this project. Along this division the
Allegheny Front segregates the waters destined to the Atlantic Ocean and
those flowing to the Gulf of Mexico. The central and western thirds of the
plateau slope generally westward to the Ohio River which lies about 168 to
193 meters (550 to 650 feet) above sea level. It is a region severely dis-
sected by dendritic water courses into a maze-like network of steep hills
and narrow valleys. In places, the original plateau surface shows as the
uniform top levels of the remaining ridges, although this characteristic is
more prevalent in the south where the erosion has been somewhat less
than that found in the northern sections. Altitudes are lowest on the
western side of the plateau, where they average 366 to 427 meters (1,200
to 1,400 feet), and increase eastward as they approach the Allegheny
Front. The highest point is at its eastern margin in West Virginia where
peaks may rise above 1,219 meters (4,000 feet). Cut 610 meters (2,000
16
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feet) below the plateau surface level, the New River gorge is a well known
landmark in the Eastern United States.
Climatology
The variety of climatic conditions in West Virginia can only be
understood in light of the diverse topographic features of the state.
Located 241 kilometers (150 miles) from the ocean, West Virginia is
characterized by a humid continental climate except for a marine modifi-
cation on the lower panhandle. The most outstanding aspect of this type
of climate is the marked contrast in temperature between summer and
winter. The nature of the terrain and general topography, including the
fact that the highest elevation on the plateau is along the eastern border,
have important climatic effects.
Temperature variations across the state illustrate the effect of the
topography. There is about as much temperature change across the state
from east to west as there is in twice the distance from north to south.
This variation is due to the mountains in the east where lower temperatures
may be expected. Average winter minimum temperatures range from
-7 C (20°F) in the mountains of the eastern and northern Panhandle, to
near -1°C (30 F) in the extreme southern and southwestern corners of the
state, where this study has been concentrated. Average winter maximums
vary from 7°C to 10°C (45° F to 50°F), except in the mountains where they
are several degrees lower. Summer brings temperatures that consis-
tently average over 29 C (85 F) with similar geographic variations. Aver-
age minimums in summer range from 13 C (55 F) in the mountains to
18 C (65°F) elsewhere. Spring and autumn mean temperatures average
between 10 C to 15 C (50 F to 59°F) and are also lower in the eastern
mountains.
The last freezing day in the study area can be expected some time
in mid-April. Temperatures of over 38 C (100 F) have been recorded at
all stations in the state, up to 44 C f112°F) in one instance. Very low
temperatures have been noted to -38 C (-37 F) at Lewisburg. During an
average winter, cold waves with -18°C (0 F) or lower temperatures arrive
about three times, but usually do not last more than three or four days.
Precipitation characteristics in the state are also largely a result
of topographic effects. Yearly total averages, the greatest in the central
section of the state, are in excess of 127 - 152 cms (50 - 60 inches).
West of this section, amounts decrease to about 101 cms (40 inches) near
the Ohio River. East of the central sector, precipitation decreases drama-
tically to about 76 cms (30 inches) with an increase to about 101 cms (40
inches) at the extreme eastern tip of the state. This trend is due to pre-
cipitation producing atmospheric currents that generally travel eastward.
17
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As they move toward the Appalachian Mountains, they are subject to oro-
graphic lifting which causes the release of potential precipitation or intensi-
fication of present precipitation, resulting in substantial increases from
west to east. Annual snowfall exhibits the same characteristics. Snow
usually does not stay on the ground for extended periods, since snowstorms
are followed by a thawing period; therefore, there is seldom large scale
melting in the spring.
West Virginia experiences only 40 percent possible sunshine in the
winter, increasing to about 60 percent in the late summer. Cloudiness is
most outstanding over the mountains. The annual number of clear days
averages from about 8O in the mountains to about 120 in the west.
Another factor inhibiting direct sunlight hours is the fog often prev-
alent in the state, especially in the valleys. The circumstances contributing
to the distribution of fog in the state are diverse. Radiation type valley fogs
occur when a high-pressure area is centered over the state, a common
occurrence in late summer and fall. Low clouds and fog in the mountains
are usually orographic in nature, caused by moist winds moving upslope.
Often, due to this phenomenon, there are great differences in these condi-
tions on opposite sides of a ridge.
Thunderstorms occur from 40 to 50 days of the year and are often
accompanied by violent local winds. These storms are more common in
June and July and often cause flash flooding in the narrow valleys that cut
through the plateau. Precipitation accumulations over a 24 hour period have
exceeded 13 centimeters (5 inches) all over the state due to these storms.
In the northern part of the state, rainfall in excess of 25 centimeters (10
inches) has been recorded. Large area storms are more common during
the colder half-year. These are caused by exceptionally strong specimens
of the ordinary lows that affect West Virginia quite frequently. Storms of
this nature produce high winds and heavy rain or snow and, in some cases,
lead to flooding of river towns.
Because diverse topographic conditions exist in the study region,
diverse climatic conditions exist. When compared to the state as a whole,
this region shows less severe temperature patterns, but higher than average
precipitation rates, since the region is on the windward side of the Appala-
chian range.
Geology of Soils
The topographic divisions of the state are defined by its geologic
setting. The eastern panhandle, with its narrow, linear ridges and
valleys, is composed of Middle and Lower Paleozoic sedimentary forma-
tions. The harder formations, principally sandstones, form the ridges,
18
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while the less resistant limestone formations form the valleys.
The Allegheny Mountain Chain is located on the eastern edge of the
Appalachian Plateau. The mountain chain differs from the less elevated
portions of the plateau to the west because the strata located here are
more severely folded. The remainder of the plateau, in which the study
region is located, is composed of these Late Paleozoic sedimentary forma-
tions, containing many coal seams.
Most of the soil types found in West Virginia can be defined as
Dystrochepts (Sols Bruns Acides). The soils are warm, moist Inceptisols
which exhibit weakly differentiated horizons showing alteration of parent
materials. These soils are also low in bases and have no free carbonates
in the subsurface horizons.
Local soil types vary considerably depending on slope and parent
material. Any analysis of the implications of soil types within the study
region must depend on site specific data.
Hydrology
West Virginia is drained by the Ohio and Potomac Rivers. The
valley and ridge section of the state is included in the Potomac Basin,
while the entire Appalachian Plateau is drained by the Ohio River.
Several tributaries of the Ohio River drain the study region,
including the Big Sandy (Tug), Guyandotte, and Kanawha Rivers. Table 2
includes significant hydrologic data for these rivers. Generally, these
three tributaries drain in a northwesterly direction with a dendritic
pattern.
TABLE 2. HYDROLOGIC DATA-WEST VIRGINIA STUDY REGION
RIVER
Big Sandy
Guyandotte
Kanawha
Ohio
LOCATION
Fort Gay
Branchland
Charleston
Huntington
DRAINAGE
AREA
(km2)
10,88O
3,175
26,985
144,800
AVERAGE
DISCHARGE
(mVs)
121
45
410
Unknown
EXTREME DISCHARGE (m3/s)
HIGH
2,530
1,260
6,120
1,850
LOW
Unknown
.1
29
91
(Discharge regulated by Dams and Locks)
19
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Vegetation and Wildlife
Vegetation in West Virginia is typical of the deciduous forest
biome. Oak, hickory, cherry, and maple are the prevalent hardwood
species, intermingled with shortleaf, loblolly, Virginia pine and northern
balsam fir. Natural understories include a variety of shrubs, forbs and
grasses; farmlands support corn, small grains, cotton, tobacco and
pasture.
A large number of animal species are common to the deciduous
forest biome. Nuts and fruits provide food for animals such as the gray
squirrel and eastern chipmunk; important mammals include the white-
tailed deer, the eastern mole, black bear, gray and red fox, bobcat,
raccoon, fox squirrel, New England cottontail, shortail shrew, opossum,
southern flying squirrel and whitefooted mouse.
Two particular plant associations within the deciduous forest
biome, the oa^k-hickory and maple-beech-birch associations, define wild-
life species peculiar to those plant associations. Mammal populations are
low in the oak-hickory portion of the biome; however, wild turkeys feed on
shrubs, vines and seeds (acorns) found in this association. The associa-
tion also contains a wide variety of birds. Common reptiles include
copperheads, rough green snakes, rat snakes, coachwhips, and speckled
king snakes.
Among tine birds in the maple-beech-birch association are the
solitary vireo, black throated blue warbler, blackburnian warbler, and
rose breasted grosbeak. Typical reptiles in this association include the
eastern garter snake, red-bellied snake, milk snake and eastern ringneck
snake.
The maple-beech-birch association is located in the eastern section
of the state, while the western section and the study region is dominated
by oak-hickory association.
Land Use
Land use is controlled by topography. Throughout West Virginia,
intensive land use is confined to the stream valleys, leaving the steep
mountainsides for forests and mining. In the eastern portion of the state,
the stream valleys are very narrow, so that most land is forested and
ungrazed woodland. In the western part of the state, stream valleys be-
come wider with more land devoted to cropland and pasture.
All the major urban areas in West Virginia are located in stream
valleys: Huntington, Parkersburg and Wheeling are located along the
20
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Ohio River; Charleston is located on the Kanawha. Nearly all transporta-
tion routes linking urban areas follow stream valleys. The result of this
pattern is intensive strip development in these stream valleys, which are
highly susceptible to flood damage.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EASTERN KENTUCKY STUDY
REGION
Topography
Gradually sloping in a westerly direction, the rugged Cumberland
Plateau of eastern Kentucky contains approximately 27,195,000 square
kilometers (10,500 square miles), or roughly one-fourth of the total land
in the state. Through geological history, three principal rivers, the
Cumberland, the Big Sandy, and the Kentucky, along with their large tri-
butaries, have transformed -the region into an area of long narrow valleys
and steep ridges.
The parallel Pine and Cumberland Mountain Ranges in the south-
east, carved from the upturned edges of hard sandstones, meet at their
extreme termini to form the Middlesboro Basin. This basin contains two
additional minor ranges, the Little, and Big Black Mountain Ranges. It
is here that the highest mountain in the state is found, Big Black Mountain,
with an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters (4,150 feet) above sea
level. The general altitude of the adjacent Cumberland Plateau is approxi-
mately 600 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level and tapers westwardly
reaching the Interior Low Plateaus where the elevation ranges from 76 to
122 meters (250 to 400 feet) above sea level.
Climatology
Moderate best describes Kentucky's climate. The mean annual
temperature is around 16°C (60°F); average midsummer temperatures
range between 24°C and 27°C (75° - 80°F). The daily average midwinter
temperature is approximately 2°C to 3°C (36 - 40 F) with nights some-
times considerably colder. Temperatures in excess of 33 C (100 F) and
below —18°C (0 F) occur with a frequency of about once a year, although
record temperatures ranging from 46°C (114 F) to a low of -34 C (-30°F)
have been recorded.
Frost-free days on the Cumberland Plateau range from 160 to 180
in the central area, and 180 to 200 on the peripheral edges. The first
killing frost usually occurs between October 13th and 21st, and the last
between April 18th and 23rd. Thus, the average growing season is from
174 to 189 days.
21
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Rainfall usually averages from 97 to 102 centimeters (33 - 40
inches), with approximately 51 centimeters (20 inches) of snow falling on
the plateau in the winter. The average number of rainy days is about 118
a year with the autumn months generally the driest. Rainy and snowy
days are 30% - 50% more frequent in the months from December to August.
Approximately 40 to 50 thunderstorms occur per year, with less
than six tornadoes per decade. Days are sunny a minimum of 52% of the
year.
Winds in eastern Kentucky, as in the rest of the state, prevail
from the south and southwest, and from the north and northwest in the
winter.
Geology and Soils
The geologic divisions of the Cumberland Plateau are almost en-
tirely of the Pennsylvania System, composed of interbedded sandstones,
siltstones, shales, and coals. Variation in the region occurs when the
ratio of these four constituents changes.
Older Mississippian formations are found in the valley floors, and
the limestones characteristic of the Ordovician period contribute greatly
to the fertility of the soils. However, these limestone Ordovician period
deposits do not become a dominant feature until the Cumberland Plateau
tapers off into the central portion of Kentucky known as tine Bluegrass
region, which lies adjacent to this study area.
The soils found in the valleys, the primary urban and agricultural
areas, are generally flood plain soils such as Pope and Cuba while on the
stream terraces and 1/2 and 2/3 of the way up the sides of the ridges,
colluvial soils such as Allegheny and acidic Shelocta types are found.
The upper ridge slopes are covered primarily with denser, acidic clay-
shale soils, and are of a much more shallow depth than the alkaline
alluvial valley soils.
Hydrology
Four major rivers drain the interior of the Cumberland Plateau:
the Cumberland, the Kentucky, and Big Sandy, and the Licking (for a
summary of hydrologic data, refer to Table 3). Only the Kentucky has
the necessary depth to be considered a navigable inland waterway by the
U. S. Water Resources Council.
The Kentucky, Big Sandy, and the Licking are part of the Ohio
River Drainage Basin; the Cumberland River is incorporated into the
22
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Tennessee-Cumberland Drainage Basin.
TABLE 3. HYDROLOGIC DATA-KENTUCKY STUDY REGION
RIVER
Kentucky
Cumberland
Big Sandy
Licking
LOCATION
Heidelberg
Rowena
Louisa
Catawba
DRAINAGE
AREA
(km2)
6,881,625
14,996,088
10,080,272
8,546,993
AVERAGE
DISCHARGE
(mVs)
1 63 . 59
384 . 55
202.81
175.42
EXTREME DISCHARGE (m3/s)
HIGH
2,282.35
1,180.82
1,633.90
1,475.32
LOW
5.64
3.17
19.03
5.75
NOTE: The flow of the Kentucky, Cumberland, and Licking is regulated
by locks and dams. The Big Sandy is only partially regulated.
Groundwater aquifers are extensive in the Cumberland Plateau,
and a major consolidated aquifer (composed of cavernous limestones)
passes through almost 50% of the plateau. Such aquifers are capable of
yielding hundreds of gallons of water per minute to individual wells.
October is the period of the lowest stream flow, and March (as a
result of spring thaws) has the highest stream flow.
Land Use
Terrain limits the land use in eastern Kentucky. Most industrial,
urban, and agricultural areas are contained within the stream and river
valleys. Commercial coal mining (a major industry), and general farm-
ing operations utilize available slope and ridge areas. " Unused" land
remains as forested areas, usually of second growth hickory and oak,
some of which is utilized by a modest timbering industry. Natural gas and
petroleum production are other important industries, with the Big Sandy
gas fields responsible for over 90% of the state's annual production.
Major transportation facilities include Interstates 75 and 34, as
well as the east-west Mountain and Daniel Boone Parkways. Due to the
topography of the land, numerous north-south state highways exist through-
out the Cumberland Plateau study area.
Vegetation and Wildlife
The deciduous forest biome of the Cumberland Plateau is charac-
terized by the most varied plant and animal life in Kentucky. Dominant
hardwood species include oak, hickory, maple, and poplar. Conifers such
23
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as the Virginia pine are found in isolated stands throughout the region.
In tine river valleys the Kentucky coffee tree, magnolia, wild plum, and
crab apple also occur. Typical understory species include laurel, huckle-
berry, and rhododendron; wildflowers include lady slipper, trillium,
violet and bluebell.
Native mammals include the eastern gray squirrel, white-tailed
deer, rabbit, chipmunk, and opossum. Major mammalian predators are
the mink, skunk, raccoon, and fox.
A large annual crop of acorns supplemented by beechnuts, walnuts,
hickorynuts, and hazelnuts supports a varied bird life. Quail, ruffed
grouse, wild turkey, and mourning dove are the principal game birds.
Song birds include the bluebird, cardinal, mockingbird, and yellow
warbler.
Although some isolated mountain streams contain good populations
of trout, warm water fish dominate the main creeks and rivers. Species
include the walleyed pike, bluegill, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, white-
sucker, channel catfish, and white perch.
Three species of poisonous snakes are found: the timber rattle-
snake, copperhead, and cottonmouth. Numerous harmless varieties
inhabit the region.
24
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SECTION 5
PHASE I - STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW
MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL TECHNIQUE
Surface Mining
The Mountaintop Removal method of surface mining is a relatively
new concept being used in the steep sloped regions of Appalachia. In 1967
the first large scale demonstration of the technique was successfully ac-
complished. Since then, the method has been gaining popularity as oper-
ators realize that a better return on investment can be attained through
total resource recovery.
Mountaintop removal may serve as an excellent alternative to con-
tour mining in these mountainous areas primarily because of the potential
for reduced environmental impact, improved reclamation, increased land
value, expanded land use potential and total resource recovery. For ex-
ample, land use potential can be realized immediately following the mining
and reclamation processes since all subsurface assets mineable under
current technology have been extracted, thus eliminating the possibility of
remining activities. Overall resource benefits must be balanced with the
aesthetic appeal of this mountainous terrain.
This technique incorporates phases similar to those utilized by any
surface mining operation:
• site feasibility
- pit exploration
— core borings
- historical geological and mining records
• mining
- preplanning
- site preparation
silt pond construction
clearing and grubbing
- drilling and blasting
— overburden removal
25
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- coal removal
reclamation
- regrading
- slope stability
- seedbed preparation
— revegetation
- land use
Extensive premine planning for all phases is an integral part of
developing an efficient mountaintop removal operation. The necessity for
preplanning becomes more apparent as the physical complexity (multiple
seams, slope steepness, pollution potential) increases.
Determination of site feasibility for mountaintop removal can be
accomplished through direct field sampling (pit exploration, core borings),
or through previously recorded data (geological and mining records). Dur-
ing the feasibility evaluation, consideration is given not only to coal quality
but also to stripping ratio. Generally, stripping ratios of 18:1 or less are
acceptable for these Appalachian coal deposits, whether the coal reserve
lies in one thick seam or is divided into several thin seams.
Associated with the advent of the mountaintop removal technique was
the appearance of large earthmoving equipment (i.e., >170 ton rock trucks,
> 14 cubic yard front-end loaders, >40 cubic yard draglines), and head-of-
hollow (valley) fill storage areas. The large equipment tends to reduce unit
operation cost and permit a greater ratio of overburden to coal, but maneu-
vering space is not available at mountainous contour stripping sites.
Necessity for the head-of—hollow fill becomes apparent considering 1) cur-
rent reclamation requirements do not permit spoil over outslopes; 2) ovei—
burden may expand by as much as one-third its original volume after
excavation; and, 3) initial available bench storage space is insufficient. A
detailed description of head-of-hollow fill planning, construction, and
reclamation is presented later in this report.
Prior to initiating the actual mining, environmental safeguards in
the form of silt basins are established. The choice of the silt pond design
is generally a matter of individual company preference. Among the options
are:
• gabion structures
• rock dams
• earthen dam with multiple-port standpipe
• excavated pond with spillway
26
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Each drainage basin interrupted by the mining operation is protected by one
or more of these silt structures.
Following the placement of sediment ponds, the first area to be
affected by the actual mining operation is scalped of all organic materials
(cleared and grubbed). If the deciduous stand is of commercial quality, this
valuable resource is usually marketed prior to the initiation of site prepa-
ration. Quite often, however, the tree cover is third or fourth growth of
questionable value. In this case, the timber is cut and discarded. It may
be windrowed at the head of the sedimentation pond as is usually done in
West Virginia and Kentucky. In some instances in Kentucky the timber is
windrowed at the edges of the fills or buried with the haulback spoil.
Segregation of topsoil and temporary storage usually follow site
preparation. In these steep sloped regions, topsoil is minimal (0-15 centi-
meters) and the size of the equipment usually prohibits isolation of this thin
layer of strata.
The drilling and blasting techniques utilized in mountaintop removal
are similar to conventional surface mining practices (i.e., area mining,
contour stripping). The major considerations of this phase of mining are
the following:
• drill bench level
. drill hole spacing
. drill hole size
. type of explosive
. type of detonating device
• detonation pattern
. explosive load
Physical features at the mine site which influence the choice of
drilling and blasting alternatives include:
• Hthology of overburden
. thickness of overburden
• fracture sizing
« noise and vibration limitations
• moisture content of overburden
. distance of overburden displacement
Final choice of drilling and blasting methods at any individual site
is dependent upon site specific overburden characteristics. Prevailing
27
-------
conditions in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky coal fields are
such that the following major components are typical:
• drill bench level - 7.6 to 15.2 m (25 to 50 ft.)
• drill hole spacing - 3.7 to 4.6 m (12 to 15 ft. centers)
• drill hole size - 17.2 to 22.9 cm (6 3/4 to 9 in. )
• type of explosive - ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)
• type of detonating device - electric cap and delays, or prima-
cord
• detonation pattern - simultaneous row, or modified
chevron
• explosive load - 45.4 to 68.0 kg/hole (100 to 150 lb./
hole)
When initiating surface operations on a virgin mountain, the first
cut is roughly parallel to the ridge at the level of the bottom coal seam to
be removed. Overburden is excavated isolating a 4.6 meter (15 foot) strip
of land at the. outslope as in a box-cut. This low wall barrier serves as a
natural seal along the outcrop to retain surface and mine water in the oper-
ation; during reclamation, it provides support for the backfilled spoil and
helps confine groundwater within the reclaimed area. Leaving the coal in
this small barrier does not appreciably alter the unit profit margin, since
this outcrop is generally of poor quality due to weathering. The process is
only required in Kentucky.
With the advent of the mountaintop removal technique, it is now
technically and economically feasible to reaffect many previously contour-
mined areas for total resource recovery. Historically, these areas were
mined solely for the readily available outcrop coal. Consequently, low wall
barriers which are sometimes required in mountaintop removal projects,
are usually not present in these reaffected sites.
Spoil storage at the onset of mining created an operational problem
prior to the origination of head-of-hollow fill. From its inception, acute
spoil storage problems (i.e., initial cut, excess spoil) have been reduced.
After the opening of the first coal pit, overburden removal is concurrent
with coal recovery.
The excavation method may vary significantly from this point,
depending upon:
• number of coal seams
• presence of toxic overburden
• spoil haulage distance
• equipment type
28
-------
• equipment size
• quantity of equipment
• geological formation
• final land formation
It should be apparent from the above discussion that site conditions diminish
the choice of options available to the operator. In this Interim Report,
specific case histories are presented to illustrate how mountaintop removal
is accomplished by varying the combination of options, but in each case
producing a valuable and aesthetically pleasing land form with minimal en-
vironmental degradation.
The reclamation plan for a mountaintop site is based on the ultimate
land use. In addition to land use, the following items play a major role in
the success of site reclamation:
• regrading - provides the final land form
• slope stability - reduces erosion and landslide potential
• seedbed preparation - ensures optimum growth conditions
• revegetation - controls erosion, improves aesthetics and provides
wildlife habitat
For soil stability, a maximum of twenty degrees (20°) in Kentucky
and twenty-six degrees (26°) in West Virginia is presently specified in
mining regulations for all final grades. The operators are permitted a
certain amount of freedom in choosing the constituents of the seedbed and
vegetative mixtures. Hydroseeders are popular in these steep sloped areas,
because one application will distribute nutrients (fertilizer, lime), seed,
mulch and water to the prepared reclamation site. The seed mixture will
include one or more species from each major category:
• nurse crop
- rye
- millet
• legumes
- red clover
- yellow clover
- crownvetch
- Kobe Lespedeza
- Korean Lespedeza
- Sericea Lespedeza
• grasses
- Kentucky 31 fescue
- redtop
- weeping lovegrass
29
-------
• trees
- locust seed
Hay, straw, tree bark and wood fiber are common mulches; how-
ever, hydroseeder compatibility necessitates the use of wood fiber.
The technique — mountaintop removal — is still in its infancy and can
only reach maturity through continuous evaluation of operating procedures.
Realizing that the final objective is total resource recovery with minimal
environmental impact, the spirit of willing cooperation must prevail be-
tween industry and government to alter ineffective procedures or regula-
tions.
HEAD-OF-HOLLOW FILL SPOIL DISPOSAL METHOD
Surface Mining
As environmental and mining regulations became more stringent,
new methods for spoil disposal were necessary if surface mining in the
steep sloped regions of Appalachia was to continue. The head-of-hollow
fill technique was developed as an alternative to outslope spoil disposal,
thus providing an economically feasible and environmentally acceptable
waste disposal method.
In southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, this method has
been successfully employed with contour surface mining, mountaintop re-
moval, and highway construction. This spoil disposal system is gaining
popularity dispite the fact that surface mining head-of-hollow fill criteria
differ drastically among states.
Although the basic head-of-hollow fill principles also apply to high-
way spoil disposal practices in the industry, their construction methodology
and final appearance are significantly different. These variations are dis-
cussed separately by state and industry in this chapter.
West Virginia—
The key elements of hollow fill procedures (Figures 4 and 5) and
current West Virginia mining and reclamation laws are as follows:
Key Elements Regulations
• Fill Site Selection 1. Narrow "V-shaped,
steep sided hollows
near ridge top
30
-------
I
' I
:. >.. ;t (
••-! " - >»
^-^ MM
HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
•
.
SURGE POND
CORE-BENCH INTERCEPT
•"•
;
INTERFACE BETWEEN
FILL AND
UNDISTURBED GROUND
DRAINAGE FROM FILL
TO SEDIMENT POND
Figure 4. West Virginia head-of-hollow fill.
-------
FILL SU RFACE
SURGE POND
ORIGINAL GROUND
HEAD OF HOLLOW
SECTION A-A'
FILL SURFACE
FILL OUTSLOPE
BENCH
ROCK CORE DRAIN
BENCH
NATURAL HOLLOW SLOPE
SECTION B-B'
ROCK CORE DRAIN
ORIGINAL GROUND
FILL MASS
SECTION C-C'
Figure 5. Cross section of typical West Virginia
head-of-hollow fill.
32
-------
Site Preparation
- Sediment pond construction
- Erosion control
- Clearing and grubbing
Fill Construction
- Core placement and dimensions
- Spoil placement
- Lift design
- Drainage pattern
No underground mine
openings or wet weath-
er springs
Head-of-hollow must
be completely filled
Pond < 283 m3 (10,000
ft.3) at head of fill to
discharge runoff
through core
Second pond below toe
before mining
Vegetation wind rowed
at toe
Area cleared of all
organic matter
Progressively con-
structed through fill:
• 4.9 m (16 ft.) wide
• 90% durable rock
> 3O.5 cm (12 in.)
dimension
• < 10% rock <30.5
cm (12 in.) dimen-
sion
Hauled and placed
beginning at toe in
1.2 m (4 ft.) layers
parallel to finished
grade and compacted
before next layer
Terrace bench 6.1 m
(20 ft.) wide
Maximum vertical
height of 15.2 m (50
ft.)
Outslope grade of 2:1
(260)
Terrace benches
sloped 3-5% toward
fill and 1% toward core
Channel on top of core
4.2 m (8 ft.) base
width x 0.6 m (2 ft.)
depth
33
-------
- Final fill form
Reclamation
— Grading
- Outslope stability
- Seedbed preparation
1. No specifications re-
garding maximum
height, width or maxi-
mum number of lifts
1. Not specified
1. 2:1 grade on outslopes
2. 6.1 m (20 ft.) wide
bench every 15.2 m
(50 ft.) vertical height
1. Material suitable to
support vegetation
spread over entire fill
excluding rock core
2. Seedbed harrowed,
disced or other method
3. Application of lime, to
adequate pH, depend-
ing on spoil material
and plant selection
4. Fertilizer - 168 kg/Ha
(150 Ibs./A) ammonia
nitrate; 111 kg/Ha
(10O Ibs./A) triple
super phosphate
1. Selected according to
site characteristics
and land use
2. Mulching - straw or
hay 2240 - 4480 kg/Ha
(1-2 T/A), wood fiber
785-1121 kg/Ha (700-
1,000 Ibs./A)
Local topographic and geologic conditions dictate the mine opera-
tor's construction and reclamation procedures. Even with these variations,
the final product must conform to current rules, regulations and guidelines
for head—of—hollow fills. In an effort to evaluate these differences in pro-
cedure, five head-of-hollow fills were investigated in southern West Vir-
ginia as part of Phase II. Detailed descriptions of fill practices at these
sites are presented later in this report.
Head-of-hollow fill design is an integral part of premine planning.
Although it is specific to each site, a generalized sequence of events can be
presented. Factors affecting fill site selection in West Virginia are:
Revegetation
34
-------
• topography of the hollow
• size of the hollow
• spoil haulage distance
• available equipment for spoil haulage
• drainage pattern
• availability and type of core material
• spoil material
After selection of the best available site, a sedimentation pond is
constructed below the proposed toe of the head-of-hollow fill prior to any
site disturbance. To ensure proper environmental safeguards for protec-
tion of downstream water quality, the following items must be considered
during the design, construction, and maintenance of the silt structure:
• design
- total drainage area
- rainfall
- topography
- exposed surface area of fill
- silt storage capacity
- water quality regulations
- baseline water quality
- detention time
• types
- initial
windrowed vegetation
rock check dam
pole structure
- final
gabion structure
rock dam
earthen dam
excavated pond
• construction
- topography
- available construction material
- access
- location
- discharge
- revegetation
• maintenance
- silt storage
- freeboard
- bank stability
35
-------
The continued necessity for the sedimentation basin after reclamation is
inversely proportional to the percent of vegetative cover on the reclaimed
fill site.
Upon completion of the silt structure, the area is cleared of all
trees. The remainder of the organic material is grubbed. Simultaneously,
diversion ditches are constructed to direct runoff through sediment ponds,
thus minimizing erosion potential.
The construction phase is initiated at the proposed toe and proceeds
in uniform horizontal lifts towards the head of the hollow. The first step is
the placement of the central rock core. When completed, the core will pro-
vide continuous water conveyance from the head of the hollow to the sedi-
ment pond. This artificial drainage system permits surface runoff and
natural water percolation to exit without saturating the fill, thereby greatly
reducing erosion and landslide potential. The importance of rock constitu-
ents of the core cannot be overemphasized for its continued proper opera-
tion. If, for any reason, the core would cease to function, the environmen-
tal consequences could be more severe than outslope spoil failure which
occurred due to past methods.
In accordance with West Virginia reclamation laws, all spoil placed
in the fill must be transported to the lift, placed and compacted. As the lift
is constructed to maximum elevation in layers of spoil 1.2 meters (4 feet)
thick, the rock core must be maintained at a minimum of 1.2 meters (4 feet)
above spoil deposition. The terracing appearance is created by recessing
each successive lift, thus incorporating an external drainage scheme into
the fill design. The resultant bench is sloped into the core, reducing the
time the fill material is exposed to storm runoff.
Reclamation begins immediately following the completion of each
lift. The prime benefits of concurrent reclamation are:
• reduced erosion
- sheet erosion
- rill erosion
• reduced core siltation
• reduced fill saturation
. increased slope stability
• prolonged sediment pond life
Fill face stability is accomplished by regrading the outslope to a
maximum of twenty-six degrees (26°). During final slope formation, the
seedbed is prepared by spreading a suitable top material over the face of
each completed lift. The dozer's cleat depressions are left to serve as
seed traps. In a one—step operation the hydroseeder applies seed,
36
-------
nutrients, mutch and water to the prepared seedbed. A certain degree of
freedom is permitted the operator in choosing the specifics of the vegetative
cover; however, by West Virginia law, the seed mixture must contain at
least one species of nurse crop, legumes and grasses.
This concurrent reclamation continues through completion of spoil
deposition at the fill site. The unmistakable appearance of the West Vir-
ginia head-of-hollow is obtained through the continuing process of construc-
tion and reclamation.
Kentucky—
The key elements of hollow fill procedures (Figures 6 and 7) and
current Kentucky mining and reclamation laws are:
Key Elements
Fill Site Selection
Site Preparation
- Sediment pond construction
- Erosion control
- Clearing and grubbing
Fill Construction
- Spoil placement and dimensions
1.
Regulations
Slope at toe of fill not
greater than 10°
Must be 30.5 m (100
ft.) from confluence
of water body
Must be installed
before mining
Water emitted from
pond must meet these
standards:
• pH - 6.0-9.0
. Iron - <7 mg/l
• Total Alkalinity -
must not exceed
total acidity
. Turbidity <150
JTU's and 330
ppm
All organic matter
removed from area
"V"-shaped hollow:
< 61 .0 m (200 ft.)
outslope end dumped
at coal seam level and
pushed in layers with
dozer
37
-------
i
'
"+*£&
T7~
, / - ^N&rWrwi
L «<- - ••', >-a£V , X^i .
X ^: ?^* %j ,". ^v.
,.
•-o. >
^••0C
^ HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
FILL
''——r- OUTSLOPE
FINE GRAINED SPOIL
UNDERDRAIN
^
OF
DRAINAGE TO
SEDIMENT POND
Figure 6. Kentucky head-of-hollow fill.
-------
FILL SURFACE
FILL SURFACE
ORIGINAL GROUND
SECTION A-A
FILL SURFACE
FILL OUTSLOPE
ORIGINAL GROUND
UNDERDRAIN
SECTION B-B
Figure 7. Cross section of typical Kentucky
head-of-hollow fill.
39
-------
- Lift design
— Drainage pattern
Final fill form
Reclamation
- Grading
- Outslope stability
- Seedbed preparation
4.
1.
Wide "U"-shaped
hollow: material
hauled and placed in
1 .2 m (4 ft.) lifts
Terrace bench mini-
mum of 9.1 m(30ft.)
width at 30.5 m (1OO
ft.) intervals on slope
Natural drainways
filled with rock to pro-
vide "french drains"
Gradient of drainway at
toe <10°
High center with grade
toward hillsides from
1-2%
Outslope <20°
No outslope when end
dumped to exceed
61 m (20O ft.)
When hauled and
placed, no outslope to
exceed 122 m (400 ft.)
All finished grades and
outslopes free of pro-
trusions so mowing
equipment can traverse
area
< 20° grade on out-
slope
9.1 m (30 ft.) wide
bench every 30.5 m
(10O ft.) on slope
Ground scarified
immediately before
seeding
Lime to raise soil to
pH 5.5
Fertilizer:
• minimum of 67 kg/
Ha (60 Ib./A) of N
• minimum of 112
kg/Ha (100 Ib./A)
of P205
40
-------
- Revegetation 1 . Perennials, annuals,
legumes
2. Seed - total 62 kg/Ha
(55 Ib./A)
3. Mulch - rate 1680 kg/
Ha (1,500 Ib./A)
4. Trees - 1482 living
plants/Ha (600/A) at
time of bond release
Local topographic and geologic conditions influence the mine opera-
tor's choice of construction and reclamation procedures. Even with these
procedural variations, the final product must conform to current Kentucky
rules, regulations and guidelines for head-of-hollow fills.
To facilitate evaluation of these differences, five head-of-hollow
fills were investigated in Kentucky as part of Phase II. Detailed descrip-
tions of fill procedures at these sites are presented in Section 6.
The methods used by Kentucky mine operators for fill site selection
and site preparation are similar to those employed in West Virginia. For
specifics, the reader is referred to pages 30 and 33.
Differences appear in the state-of-the-art for Kentucky at the fill
construction and reclamation phases.
Initiation of the construction phase takes place at the head of the
hollow. Spoil material for "V"-shaped hollows is simply end dumped; if the
hollow is "U"-shaped, spoil is hauled and placed. End dumping method of
spoil placement utilizes gravity and the natural contour of the land to segre-
gate the material by size. Theoretically, an artificial underdrain is
formed (Figure 8) thus providing a system to transport water from the head
of the hollow to the sediment pond. Erosion and landslide potential may be
reduced because surface runoff and natural water percolation occur without
saturating the fill. The fill stability depends on the proper operation of this
drainage system. Ultimate success of this construction design is still in
question and may vary with site specific conditions. Figure 9 illustrates
a potential situation that may occur in complying with Kentucky's require-
ment for regrading outslope material every 48 hours.
Spoil deposition at the face provides the advancement of the fill
down the hollow until the maximum design capacity is reached. At this
point, construction is completed and reclamation commences. The interval
between initiation of these two phases may vary from a few months to more
than a year. This time lag results because subsequent spoil disposal
affects the entire hollow fill, thereby precluding concurrent reclamation.
41
-------
END DUMPED MATERIAL
TENSION CRACK RESULTING
FROM INADEQUATE COMPACTION
FINE GRAINED SPOIL
NATURAL SLOPE
STEP 1. BEGINNING OF HE AD-OF-H OLLO W FILL
TENSION CRACK COVERED
'AT SURFACE
TENSION REMAINS IN FILL MASS
DUMPING SLOPE
UNDERDRAIN DEVELOPMENT
STEP 2. 48 HOURS LATER-NOT USING PUSH DOWN TECHNIQUES.
Figure 8.
Sequence of Kentucky head-of-hollow
fill construction not utilizing fill push
down techniques.
42
-------
SURFACE REPAIRED TENSION CRACK
SLIP AREA
UNDERDRAIN
STEP 3. PROGRESSION OF KENTUCKY HOLLOW FILL.
FILL SURFACE
SPOIL REMOVED DURING FINAL GRADING
SUBSURFACE TENSION CRACKS
FINAL GRADE 20°
UNDERDRAIN
FINE
GRAINED
POIL
STEP 4. FINAL GRADE (20° SLOPE) HOLLOW FILL
FIGURE 8. (Continued)
43
-------
END DUMPED MATERIAL
FINE GRAINED MATERIAL
LARGE ROCK
NATURAL SLOPE
STEP 1. BEGINNING OF HEAD-OF-HOLLO W FILL.
PUSH DOWN SLOPE
LARGE ROCK
FINE GRAINED SPOIL FROM
PUSH DOWN SLOPE
STEP 2. 48 HOURS LATER- SPOIL IS PUSHED DOWN
TO 20° SLOPE.
DEVELOPMENT OF
DUMPING SLOPE
FINE GRAINED SPOIL
LARGE ROCK
STEP 3. PROGRESSION OF KENTUCKY HOLLOW FILL.
Figure 9. Sequence of Kentucky head-of-hollow
fill construction meeting 48 hour push
down requirements.
44
-------
SPOIL GRADED DURING
PUSH DOWN
PUSH DOWN SLOPE 20°
FINE SPOIL INTERRUPTING
UNDERDRAIN DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSED TOE
OF FILL
STEP 4. INTERMEDIATE PHASE OF FILL CONSTRUCTION
FILL SURFACE
FINAL OUTSLOPE 20"
ZONES OF FINES
STEP 5. COMPLETED HOLLOW FILL.
FIGURE 9. (Continued)
45
-------
Outslope stability is accomplished by regrading the fill face to a
maximum of twenty degrees (20°). Seedbed preparation undertaken during
final slope formation involves removing large rocks, masking potential
sterile strata and spreading suitable top material over the face. The hydro-
seeder then broadcasts the vegetative mixture to the prepared slope. As in
West Virginia, in accordance with reclamation standards, this mixture
must contain a nurse crop, legumes and grasses with nutrients, mulch and
water included. In addition, the outslope sections of the fill must be planted
with trees. Historically, these trees have been hand planted. With the
advent of hydroseeding, the necessity for manual planting has decreased
considerably by adding locust seed to the vegetative mixture. The specifics
of the mixture will be presented in the case studies, but the composition is
determined from the major categories listed on pages 29 - 30.
Since the spoil material is at all times unprotected before hydro-
seeding and repeatedly exposed to the natural elements for extended periods,
the importance of the sedimentation pond's proper operation and mainte-
nance cannot be overemphasized.
Highway Industry
West Virginia—
As with the surface mine operator, the contractor building a highway
in West Virginia is faced with the problem of spoil disposal. It becomes the
responsibility of that contractor to dispose of all excess material encoun-
tered during the operation. In many instances the "waste" is used to form
embankments, ramps, connecting roads and approaches; to construct sub-
grades or shoulders; or for any other purpose necessary for the completion
of the project.
When, even after these applications, there is excess excavated ma-
terial, the contractor must select a suitable place for its disposal.
Spoil disposal sites, as designed and constructed by the highway
industry, are designated by the term "waste sites". These are generally
head—of-hollow fills or valley fills where topography of the sites is similar
to those used in surface mining.
Prior to actual use, waste sites must have been approved by the
West Virginia Department of Highways. Requirements for approval include:
• precautions against stream pollution
• drainage precautions
« cross sections of fill showing original and proposed elevations
. computations of amount of waste
46
-------
• establishment of a baseline
• written agreement between contractor and property owner for use
of site
• map showing location of site
• topographic map showing:
- proposed final grade
- sediment basins and pollution control details
• detailed written description of:
- types and sizes of erosion control facilities to be used
- schedule of events and timetable
- permanent erosion controls to prevent downstream sedimenta-
tion after waste site is no longer in use
Construction specifications for highway related valley fills differ
substantially from fill sites associated with surface mines. Regulations
governing all aspects of highway fill site construction are found in the
state's comprehensive Standard Specifications. It is left to the contractor
to design suitable drainage schemes and erosion control facilities using
guidelines enumerated in the West Virginia Department of Highway's Ero-
sion and Sedimentation Control Manual. The manual calls for sediment
structures to be constructed at all locations where water is concentrated or
has been collected from an area where it will pick up soil particles. There
are three types of "sediment structures" that may be utilized according to
site conditions:
• A sediment trap is a small excavated storage area without special
inlet and outlet controls or defined side slopes and is limited to
drainage areas of 4 hectares (10 acres) or less.
• A sediment pond is an excavated storage area with rock riprap
placed in inlet and outlet areas with defined side slopes and by
itself is limited to drainage areas of 20 hectares (50 acres) or
less.
• A sediment basin consists of a dam created to impound water with
or without an excavated storage area and is limited to drainage
areas of 81 hectares (200 acres) or less.
Sediment structures should be constructed as close as possible to
the source of sediment and outside existing watercourses to minimize the
quantity of water to be treated. These silt control structures must be built
prior to clearing and grubbing to realize their maximum benefits.
Temporary ridges or "berms" are suggested for use at the top of the
fill site to divert and direct runoff from the surrounding area to temporary
outlets.where water is disposed of with minimum potential for erosion.
47
-------
These berms are used at the top of newly constructed slopes to prevent
excessive erosion until permanent controls are installed and/or slopes are
stabilized.
When temporary berms are installed, interceptor berms transverse
to centerline may be used on all grades in excess of 1% and at all locations
where water is to be carried down the fill slope by temporary or permanent
slope drains.
Temporary slope drains carry water accumulating on the fills down
the slopes prior to installation of permanent facilities or growth of adequate
ground cover on the slopes. These drains may be fiber mats; plastic
sheets; stone, concrete or asphalt gutters; smooth, corrugated or half-
round pipes. Although the type of drain to be used is not specified, drainage
areas and size requirements for the gutters and pipes are given in Table 4.
TABLE* 4. SPECIFICATIONS FOR TEMPORARY SLOPE DRAINS
DRAINAGE
AREA
(sq. meters)
0-32,000
32,000-48,500
48,500-65,000
65,000-81,000
81,000-97,000
METAL PIPE DRAINS
SMOOTH
(cm)
20.3
25.4
30.5
38.1
45.7
CORRUGATED
(cm)
30.5
38.1
45.7
53.3
61.0
HALF-ROUND
(cm)
45.7
53.3
61.0
76.2
91.4
GUTTERS
DEPTH
(meters)
.23
.305
.305
.305
.305
WIDTH
(meters).
.610
.610
1.22
1.83
2.44
Anchoring drains to prevent disruption by the force of flowing water
may be necessary. Surface water must be directed into the inlet end of the
drain with some means provided to dissipate the water's energy. A dumped
rock gutter or small sediment basin can accomplish this, as well as trap
some sediment.
Before fill construction begins, the area is cleared of all trees,
underbrush, stumps and other foreign matter. Waste disposal sites with a
fill depth of less than 1.5 meters (5 feet) must be completely cleared and
grubbed before any spoil is dumped; fill sites of greater depth need not be
grubbed, but tree stumps are to be, at the most, 0.15 meters (6 inches)
high. Near the toe, no stump is to extend above a point 0.31 meter (1 foot)
beneath the new slope surface. Disposal of timber obtained from the clear-
ing operation is the contractor's responsibility.
48
-------
The outer 4.9 meters (16 feet) of the waste site must be compacted
with heavy equipment similar to the types used to achieve specification
compaction requirements on similar material in the road embankment. To
control erosion, compaction at the edge of slopes and shaping and sealing
the top of the waste area at the termination of each day's operations are
emphasized.
Deposition of material is to begin at the lowest point of the fill.
Constructed approximately parallel with the finished grade (26° or 2:1
slope), each layer is to be leveled and compacted before the next is started.
When disposing of material adjacent to a stream, the outer slope must be
lined with suitable rock up to the high water line to prevent erosion.
Topsoil is applied to the graded waste in accordance with criteria
stated in Standards pec if icat ions.
Seeding and mulching is a continuous operation on all waste sites
during the construction process. All disturbed areas to remain exposed
during critical erosion, such as diversion ditches, sediment dams, areas
around sediment structures, haul road slopes, and cleared and grubbed
areas are to be seeded when necessary to eliminate erosion. Temporary
seeding is to be performed on a continuous basis starting when earthmoving
begins in the spring and stopping when work ceases,in the winter. Perma-
nent seeding follows temporary seeding, but is permitted only during favor-
able seeding seasons. On slopes susceptible to critical erosion, application
of mulch may be required. The contractor must assure that the seeded area
will have a 75% stand of vegetation after one growing season. Any reseeding
on the fill is done during regular growing seasons after re-establishing the
original condition and grade.
The highway industry's criteria for waste disposal sites in West
Virginia are not as stringent as regulations for the fills associated with
surface mining.
Kentucky —
Generally speaking, waste excavation surpluses generated during
highway construction are minimal; consequently, such materials are easily
disposed of adjacent to, or uniformly incorporated into, the normal embank-
ment construction. However, in cases where large volumes of excess
excavated waste are generated and the capacity of the general right-of-way
to accommodate such waste is exceeded, waste fill areas are designated
and acquired.
49
-------
The following considerations are usually used in assessing the suit-
ability of an area for the relocation of excavated earth:
• Industrial potential of the site(s) in question
• Appearance of waste materials
• Drainage of area
• Approval of site
This first criteria is most important, as land deemed desirable for
industrial development shall not be used for the purpose of a waste fill site.
If the Department of Commerce declares that the site under consid-
eration is not a potential industrial area, then the Division of Design, Ken-
tucky Department of Transportation, can proceed with plans for acquiring
the waste site as a construction easement.
In cases where the site under consideration is deemed desirable for
Industrial Development,
"the designer will then prepare a preliminary plan for the proposed
waste area. The Division of Design shall submit to the Department
of Commerce, along with preliminary cost estimates, a request to
the Department of Commerce for a recommendation as to the feasi-
bility of the area. Cost estimates shall include:
a) Right-of-way showing difference between fee simple (perma-
nent) and construction (temporary easement);
b) Construction (cost required to make the site available for
industry such as access roads, which may not be required if
taken as a construction easement), and
c) Utility (adjustment, protection and/or relocation of existing
utilities that would not be required if the site is acquired in
easement. "9)
If the second reply from the Department of Commerce indicates that
the cost of developing the site for industrial use is economically feasible,
"then the Division of Design shall obtain approval of the Commis-
sioner of Highways via the State Highway Engineers Office prior to
the finalizing of plans for permanent right-of-way (fee simple title)
for the waste area in question. "1O)
Secondly, waste materials in an area open to view from a public
road must be distributed so as to avoid an unsightly appearance, thus the
cost of making waste earth acceptable to public view must be considered.
50
-------
The third criteria considers the drainage system of the highway and
surrounding area. Waste materials can at no time offer an obstruction to
the planned drainage system.
Finally, the areas under consideration must have been approved
from the appropriate regulatory agencies, as waste storage areas cannot be
utilized without the prior approval of the Department of Natural Resources
and Environmental Protection, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Coast Guard
(where applicable), and the Planning and Zoning Commissions. In addition,
written copies of approval from the property owner(s), if any, as well as
the owners of any utilities (of any nature) which may exist within the pro-
posed area must be included.
In addition, "the Engineer may require the contractor to submit
drainage of proposed waste areas, showing the configuration of the
original ground and the anticipated configuration of the area upon
completion of the waste operation; any preparatory work such as
benching; provisions for surface and subsurface drainage of the
area after wasting is completed and any other information the Engi-
neer may require before considering approval of the proposed waste
area."11)
In relocating excavation materials, the same general specifications
regarding erosion and seeding procedures must be followed, i.e., the
application rates of agricultural limestone, fertilizer, seed and mulch must
be the same as those used on similar areas within the project (see Table 5
on Erosion Control). However, upon the written request of the property
owner, the variety of seed and/or plant cover may be altered. The applica-
tion of this ground cover and soil conditioners also applies to the areas used
for temporary haul roads during the waste relocation process.
Needless to say, top and subsoils are the principal components of the
displaced waste; however, in cases where stones in excess of % cubic meter
(1/3 cubic yard) are found, such stones and boulders must be placed in an
area (either highway or construction waste easement) that can be covered
with a minimum of twelve inches of soil, thus disguising their presence.
Also in accordance with sound highway construction practices,
stones of such size are at no time to be placed under a road or road shoul-
der, where in time, they might rise to the surface.
In general, the Kentucky highway criteria are less stringent than the
surface mining regulations; however, the design criteria for highways does
take into consideration the future land use of the waste disposal site.
51
-------
TABLE 5. KENTUCKY HIGHWAY EROSION CONTROL
TYPE
QUALITY & QUANTITY REQUIRED
1) Agricultural Limestone
Limestone
2) 100 - Mesh Ground Limestone
1) Agricultural Limestone: Shall contain sufficient
calcium and magnesium carbonates to be equiva-
lent to no less than 8O percent calcium carbonate.
2) 1OO - Mesh Ground Limestone: Shall conform to
the same requirements as Agricultural Limestone.
Limestone shall be applied uniformly at the rates
specified in the contract; 100 - Mesh Ground Lime-
stone shall be applied in lieu of agricultural lime-
stone where the steepness of the slope of the soil
surface makes it impractical to apply the agricul-
tural limestone by conventional methods.
Fertilizer
Only commercial fertilizers com-
plying with the Kentucky Fertilizer
Law may be used on State Highway
Projects.
For Permanent Seeding; Fertilizer used and weight
applied must conform with contract specifications.
For Temporary Seeding: Minimum ratio of plant
nutrients, nitrogen, phosphate, and soluble potash
in a ratio of 1O:1O:1O applied at an approximate rate of
O.5 metric tons/Ha (12 pounds per 1,OOO square feet).
1) Grasses: Bent Grass, Bermuda
Grass, Blue Grass, Brome,
Canary Grass, Fescue, Orchard
Grass, Red Top, Ryegrass, Love-
Seed grass, Oat, Rye, Timothy, Clover,
and Wheat.
2) Legumes; Alfalfa, Clover, Crown-
vetch, Lespedeza, Sweet Clover,
and Trefoil.
Seed for permanent planting must be approved by the
Bureau. Typical mixtures of seed for permanent
planting include:
Mixture I Mixture II
7O% Kentucky 31 Fescue - 5O%
15% Creeping Red Fescue - 35%
1O% Red Top - 10%
5% White Dutch - 5%
Note: Only crownvetch may be sown on slopes greater
than 3:1, and on areas consisting of soil and broken
rock mixtures, as well as on soil seams and crevices
within or adjacent to rock cuts.
Unless otherwise specified seed mixtures shall be sown
at a minimum rate of 0.1 metric tons/Ha (2 pounds per
1, OOO square feet).
Mulch
1) Straws; Baled wheat, oats, bar-
ley, or rye straw.
2) Wood Fiber: Excelsior wood fiber.
1) Straws: Free of Johnson Grass, Canada Thistle,
or Nodding Thistle, and reasonably free of other
foreign matter.
2) Wood Fiber: Fiber cut at a slight angle so as to
allow splintering of fiber when weathering occurs.
Mulch shall be applied, where applicable, at rate of
approximately 1.1 -4.4 metric tons/Ha (0.5 to 2 tons
per acre).
52
-------
SECTION 6
PHASE II - GENERAL SITE ASSESSMENT
SITE SELECTION CRITERIA
The evaluation of potential test sites was concentrated in the steep
sloped areas of eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia where moun-
taintop removal mining has been gaining prominence. Initial research indi-
cated that these two regions contain a very high percentage of the mining
industry's currently active mountaintop removal and head-of-hollow fill
operations.
Personnel in the Reclamation Division of the West Virginia Depart-
ment of Natural Resources at Charleston and the Kentucky Department for
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection at Frankfort were called
on to provide specific information regarding the adequacy of particular
sites, the reputation of specific operators when complying with regulations,
and potential willingness of the operators to cooperate in a study of this
scope. Valuable information was also obtained from District Reclamation
Inspectors, who are most familiar with active mine sites in their respective
regions.
An in-house data retrieval system was initiated early in the pro-
ject. Through previous and concurrent research projects, extensive back-
ground has been compiled on surface mining operations in Appalachia, and
project personnel have developed a close rapport with many operators.
These interactions have served as a basis for continued cooperation with
numerous companies. A comprehensive file on mining and reclamation
techniques, as well as a collection of published materials on the subjects of
mountaintop removal and associated fill techniques were obtained. Utilized
in this effort to update our "state-of-the-art" base of knowledge were the
"computerized information system" of the Ohio State University, the West
Virginia University Library, and the libraries of the Geological Sciences
Department and the Engineering Department of the Pennsylvania State Uni-
versity, along with private sources.
53
-------
Information was classified into six categories from the myriad of
published information reviewed. These categories are:
• Mining; Mountaintop mining, head-of-hollow fill technology and
equipment usage.
• E nvi r on me ntal; Benefits and detriments.
• Land Use; Current use of mined mountaintop and constructed
head-of-hollow fills, and potential for future development.
• Construction and Compaction: Techniques for head-of-hollow fill
construction with emphasis on problems.
• Premining Plans: Techniques applied and information developed.
• Regulations: Division of Reclamation regulations for various
states, and construction specifications for Highway Department
spoil disposal fill sites.
With information received from the agencies contacted, a list of
potentially suitable test sites was assembled for West Virginia and Ken-
tucky. Over 20 mine operations encompassing 60 head-of-hollow fill sites
were initially considered for inclusion in the study. Each operator was
contacted by phone and by mail to solicit his cooperation. For the compa-
nies responding favorably to the inquiries, preliminary field investigations
were scheduled. Field tours included visits to each state's Reclamation
Division, mining companies and highway departments. A "Preliminary
Field Investigation" data form was developed for use in recording informa-
tion gathered on these tours. Criteria recorded during the first visit con-
cerned stage of mine development, premine engineering and planning, mine
operations, and fill operations. Detailed inquiries were made about recla-
mation and fill site construction. Operator attitude towards the study was
also an important consideration.
Mining and reclamation requirements vary between West Virginia
and Kentucky, so five representative sites were chosen for each state.
Operations selected showed widely divergent conditions encountered in sur-
face mining including: 1) topography, 2) general geologic conditions
(chemical/physical characteristics of overburden and fill material),
3) drainage pattern, 4) equipment employed, 5) reclamation procedures,
and 6) stage of mine development. In-depth investigation was concentrated
on the following variables:
• Site investigation and selection
• Engineering design
• Clearing and grubbing
• Topsoil segregation
• Blasting
• Overburden removal
54
-------
• Coal extraction
• Spoil placement, terracing and compaction
• Drainage system construction
• Erosion control
• Revegetation
To accurately assess the capabilities and limitations of updated
mountaintop removal and associated spoil disposal techniques and equip-
ment, it was imperative to consolidate all information regarding these vari-
ables. By contrasting the data collected during the preliminary field in-
vestigations, operations could be selected that provided an excellent cross-
sectional view of mountaintop removal methodologies now in use within the
two states.
It was important that sites selected utilized good mining practices
with efficient production. Adherence to state regulations was also con-
sidered in site selection.
An example of physical variations investigated were those found in
design and construction of rock drain channels through hollow fills. Vari-
ables considered were materials used, relative drainage area above the fill,
and presence of toxic overburden. It was very important to know how the
operator actually handled these variations within the fill site. Fill config-
uration, lift height, compaction and construction techniques, and types of
equipment were also noted as important dimensions in the study.
From all of the preliminary data, ten mountaintop removal — head-
of-hollow fill operations were selected to present a valid cross-sectional
view of the techniques presently being used in the coal fields of Appalachia.
The ten mine sites for the study were selected and coded as follows:
West Virginia Kentucky
BA EA
HA FA
MA GA
OA IA
PA KA
These sites were selected, in part, because they typify the best mining and
reclamation practices currently employed in their respective states. Where
progress was insufficient to accurately determine mining or reclamation
quality, selection was based on the reputation of the operator and his pre-
vious work at other sites.
55
-------
MINE SITE BA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location
• Terrain
• Elevation
• Slope
• Area
. Vegetation
Climatology
• Local storms
. Runoff
• Erosion potential
• Annual precipitation
• Local temperature
• Local precipitation
Geology
. Strata
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
' Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Volatile matter -
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
• Minor soils
- Southern West Virginia
- Steep erosion valleys and mountains
- 57O m (1,870 ft.) to 732 m (2,40O ft.)
- 32° on sidewalls, 8° at toe of hollow
- 203 Ha (502 A)
— Northern Deciduous forest
— Intense thunderstorms average 40 days/
year
38 cm (15 in.)/year
Severe
114 cm (45 in.)
See Figure 1O
See Figure 11
Above Stockton-Lewiston seam, 85%
sandstone, 15% shale; below Stockton-
Lewiston seam, 61 m to Winifrede,
variable sandstones, clays and shales
Middle Pennsylvanian
Stockton-Lewiston and Winifrede
Stockton-Lewiston Winifrede
13,6OO
0.8%
6%
36%
14,200
0.7%
5%
35%
Muskingum
Shallow to moderately deep, well
drained, derived from acidic sand-
stones and shales
None significant
Mining Technique; Mountaintop Removal
Operations
• Area
. Employees
• Work schedule
• Coal series
202 Ha (500 A)
40
Two 9-hour shifts/day for 5 days/week
Upper Pottsville
56
-------
cn
40-
-* 30-
0>
-Q
03
w.
O)
— 20-
*- *-**
C
0)
O
o
*"* 10-
IU
or
D
1- 0-
oc
UJ
Q_
LLJ
L_
-20-
x/x "^ *r""*"*~ »>
x' *"x>. ^i'"*' ~~^~~^
^& "^^1*'^^ ^^"" '•^•^
gl^^ ^B ^^^w
xx
/^ T.
y ^ ^*il^-fc *fl
/' -pr .xx ^*^li"
*' J* V
^2$~~ NT
^^•"•JC .A.. x>. T
^ir _...-•*'' ' x ""^
jf***'
..*-""* LEGEND
A A.
— MAXIMUM
A
.• « « l~ * A 1 ""
.* -«^^ — ^ MtAlv
.•
,.4t ................ MINIMUM
..•'*'" "1" DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
A''*
- 100
- 90
- 80
- 70
- 60
- 50
- 40
-30
- 20
- 10
- 0
--10
^^
4_,
—
0)
c
(D
(0
LL
O
^^
HI
CC
ID
H
OC
Q.
LU
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 1O. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site BA.
-------
CJl
00
15.0-
14.0-
^ 13.0-
co
-------
Mining Techniques
• Exploration
• Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
• Overburden
• Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
. Regrad ing
. Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Trees
. Intended land use
Stratigraphic core borings
Road berms, diversion ditches, and
sediment ponds
8-15 m (25-50 ft.)
3-4 m (10-12 ft.)
18 cm (7 in.)
ANFO
Electric cap and delays
Simultaneous row and modified
91 kg (200 lbs.)/hole
Greater than 60 m (200 ft.) acid
forming
Front-end loaders/trucks, hauled
1 .6 km (1 mile) to fill
1,814 metric (2,000 short) tons/day
Front-end loader/truck
Six miles to prep plant
Utility steam
• Seed mixture
- Dozer
- 81 Ha (200 A)
- Hydroseeder
- 561 kg/Ha (500 Ibs./A) of 10-20-10
- 840 kg/Ha (750 Ibs./A) wood fiber
- Commercial development, wildlife habitat,
and pasture
- Kentucky 31 fescue - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
- Redtop - 12 kg/Ha (1O Ibs./A)
- Serecia Lespedeza - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
- Crownvetch - 7 kg/Ha (5.5 tbs./A)
- Black locust -7 kg/Ha (5.5 Ibs./A)
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
• Volume
• Slope
• Spoil haulage distance
42 million cubic m (55 million cubic
yds.)
23° on sidewalls, 6° at toe of fill
Less than 0.8 km (J£ mile)
59
-------
Site Preparation
• Sediment pond
Location
Type
Size
• Erosion control
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
• Underdrainage system
• Spoil placement
• Lift design
• Final fill form
Slope
Area
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Seed mixture
Water Quality
• Periodic samples
• Weather condition during
91 m (300 ft.) from toe of fill
Excavated; surge pool also added
Surge pool, diversion ditches, and
berms
Oak, maple, hickory, second-third
growth
Cut and dozered
Wind rowed
Fractured sandstone core
Placed by dozers and trucks
adjacent to core
5 lifts, graded toward center rock
core
Maximum outslope 26°
30.2 Ha (74.5 A)
Principal machinery: trucks and
dozers
Same as described for the moun-
taintop revegetation.
- See Table 6
collection - See Table 7
MINE SITE HA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location
• Terrain
• Elevation
• Slope
• Area
• Vegetation
Southern West Virginia
Steep erosion valleys and mountains
553 m (1,815 ft.) to 585 m (1,920 ft.)
26° on sidewalls, 9° at toe of hollows
13 Ha (33 A)
Second-third generation Northern Deciduous
forest, principally oak, maple, beech and
hemlock
60
-------
TABLE 6. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE BA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
F
L
U
E
N
T
1
N
L
U
E
N
T
MONTH
June
September
November
December
AVERAGE
September
November
AVERAGE
I
o.
6.7
6.7
7.3
7.4
-
7.9
7.2
-
ALKALINITY
58
66
60
44
57
180
126
121
*-*
O
I
0
<
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL IRON
.20
.43
.34
1.0
.49
.63
.72
1.01
TURBIDITY
10
<5
<5
6.5
<6.6
<5
<5
15
SULFATE
270
260
180
290
250
330
250
277
CO
OTAL SOLID
t-
550
510
401
420
470
627
620
672
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
14
26
3
13
14
8
12
53
CALCIUM
60
76
59
73
67
100
110
107
MAGNESIUM
39
63
40
37
45
124
66
84
MANGANESE
-
.41
.53
.47
.47
1 .5
1 .1
1.2
ALUMINUM
.10
.2
<••
.2
<.2
<. 1
.1
.3
COPPER
<.01
C.01
<.o,
C.01
<.o,
<.«
<.01
.01
o
z
N
.17
.40
.05
.20
.21
.29
.24
.30
CADMIUM
<.«,
< 01
C.01
<.01
< .01
< .01
<.01
.01
NICKEL
-
C.03
C.03
C.03
<.03
<.03
<.03
.03
DISSOLVED
IRON
-
.13
C.01
.01
<.05
. 14
<.01
.05
>
SPECIFIC
ONDUCTIVIT
(M.RI hot/cm)
O
640
955
500
410
626
865
870
828
Note: AH units mg/l except where noted.
*Average - includes results for data not shown on Table.
Months Added; Influent for December, 1976.
-------
TABLE 7. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE BA
cc
<
HI
>-
CD
N
05
T~
f-.
r».
05
i—
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F>
DAILY
MIN.
-3
(26)
0
(32)
18
(64)
12
(54)
-3
(27)
12
(53)
DAILY
MAX.
11
(52)
20
(68)
30
(86)
23
(73)
12
(54)
24
(75)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
0
0
o
0
0
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DA YS
3
1
1
4
2
1
AMOUNT
CM (IN)
0.13
(0.05)
0.08
(0.03)
0.15
(0.06)
3.6
(1.4)
0.53
(0.21)
0.25
(0.10)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
70
40
90
90
0
100
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
69.47
(27.35)
69.47
(27.35)
69.88
(27.51)
70.35
(27.70)
70.10
(27. 6O)
70.21
(27.64)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
32
30
52
40
36
48
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPH)
23.3
(14.5)
7.1
(4.4)
12.2
(7.6)
7.4
(4.8)
8.5
(5.3)
18.3
(11.4)
DIRECTION
21
31
19
14
18
14
COMMENTS
Sunny, windy
and warm
Sunny
Cloudy
Cloudy
Clean
Cloudy and warm
0)
-------
Climatology
Local storms
Runoff
Erosion potential
Annual precipitation
Local temperature
Local precipitation
Geology
• Strata
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Volatile matter -
Pedology
Major soil association
Description
Minor soils
Intense thunderstorms average 40 days/
year
38 cm (15 in.)/year
Severe
114 cm (45 in. )
See Figure 12
See Figure 13
30 m (1OO ft.) total above Sewell 60%
shale, 35% sandstone; 15 m (50 ft.)
below Sewell lies Welch seam, prin-
cipally shale
Lower Pennsylvanian
Sewell and Welch
Sewell Welch
14,600
0.9%
4%
22%
14,300
0.5%
7%
18%
Musktngum
Shallow to moderately deep, well
drained, derived from acidic sand-
stones and shales
None significant
Mining Technique: Mountaintop Removal
Operations
• Area
Employees
Work schedule
Coal series
Equipment - See Table 8
Mining Techniques
Exploration
Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
13 Ha (33 A)
40
Two 9-hour shifts/day for 6 days/week
Lower Pottsville
Core borings
Diversion ditches, berms, and sedi-
ment ponds
14 m (45 ft.)
4x 4 m (12 ft. by 12ft.)
23 cm (9 in.)
ANFO
Primacord
63
-------
40-
^^ 3O-
d)
•o
CO
O)
~ 20-
c
(1)
O
o
10-
LU
a:
D
J— 0-
oc
LU
Q.
S -10-
iii
H
-20-
^ ^,*-+ -.
X' '"'••^ ^"*"'*'' - *** *v
X *'»"^ X
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lir \ / **""•*••
,--"'' ..--.... ""'I
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.-••'
LEGEND
MAXIMUM \
A* ,-_..-_. .----_-, l\/l 1 M I I\A I 1 A/I
~ •••• ' IVI 1 iv 1 IVI U IVi
1" DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
-100
- 90
- 80
- 7n
» u
-60
- 50
-40
-30
- 20
- 10
- 0
--10
^^
*-
'CD
i=
c
CD
f~
CO
U.
0
111
DC
D
h-
QC
111
0.
HI
1-
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 12. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site HA.
-------
15.0-
14.0-
— 13.0-
w
0 12.0-
*-
® 11.0-
E
*••
•£ 10.0-
0)
O 9.0-
8.0-
z
o 7-°-
< 6.0-
t 5.0-
O 4.0-
UJ
? 3.0-
DL
2.0-
1.0-
n-
\
I
r/\ 1
/ \
\ -
\
\
\
\
\
1
/
i
\
\
\
I
1
/
''
r
A
>
ff
1
f
j :
' :
/ ;
• :
/
/
:/
i
r
_
•
I
I
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I
I
i
i
I
t
i
1
\
I
I
\
1
I
I
I
1
LEGEND
r T
/
/
il
----- 7976 TOTAL
"1" DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
-6.0
-5.0
^_^
OT
0
JT
O
-4.0 c
~"
w
b
PITATION
-2.0 O
LU
DC
Q_
— 10
1 • W
-n
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 13. Total precipitation in 1976 by month
for mine site HA.
-------
TABLE 8. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE HA
Equipment
Road Grader
Cat 14
No. of
Pieces
Capacity
Age
(Years)
1-5
Condition
Good
Pan Scrapers
Cat 651
Euclid T524
Drill
Robbins
Drill Tech
Trucks (on-road)
2
2
1
1
1-5
1-5
9" 1 -5
6 3/4" 1 -5
Good
Good
Good
Good
Kenmore
22-25 T
1-5
Good
Trucks (off-road)
Euclid R-50
50 T
1-5
Good
Dozers
D-9
D-8
TD-25
4-D41
5
1
1
1
1-5
1-5
1-5
1-5
Good
Good
Good
Good
Front-End Loaders
Cat 988
Cat 992
Head-of-Hollow Fill
2 5 1/2 cu. yd. 1-5
2 10 cu. yd. 1-5
Good
Good
Fill Decription
• Volume
• Slope
• Spoil haulage distance
Site Preparation
. Sediment pond
Location
Type
Size
• Erosion control
153,000 cubic m (200,000 cu. yds.)
26° on sidewalls, 7° at toe
4 km (2.5 miles)
274 m (900 ft.) from toe of fill
Excavated
Capacity - 8511 cubic m (6.9 ac.-ft.)
Berms, diversion ditches, surge
ponds
66
-------
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
Overburden
Spoil transport
Straight row
113 kg (250 lbs.)/hole
46 m (150 ft.) acid-producing over-
burden
Pan scrapers or front-end loaders
into 50 ton trucks, hauled 0.8 km
(1/2 mile) to hollow fill or strip
bench
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
• Regrading
. Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Trees
Intended land use
Seed mixture
. Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
. Underdrainage system
. Spoil placement
. Lift design
- 910 metric (1,000 short) tons/day
- Front-end loaders, haul trucks
- 6.4 km (4 miles) round trip to prep
plant
- Metallurgical coal
- Bulldozer
- 13 Ha (33 A)
- Hydroseeder
- 560 kg/Ha (500 Ibs./A) of 10-20-10
- 839-1121 kg/Ha (75O to 1,000 Ibs./
A) wood fiber
- Black Locust 1235/Ha (500/A),
Autumn Olive 1235/Ha (500/A) hand
planted
- Agriculture or woodland
- Kentucky 31 fescue - 22 kg/Ha
(20 Ibs./A)
- Lovegrass - 3 kg/Ha (3 Ibs./A)
- Rye - 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
- Lespedeza - 17 kg/Ha (15 Ibs./A)
- Oak, hickory, maple, second-third
growth
- Cut and dozered
- Wind rowed at base of fill
- Shale rock core
- Placed adjacent to core by dozers
and trucks
- Three lifts, graded toward rock
core
67
-------
• Final fill form
Slope - Maximum outslope 26°
Area - 3.0 Ha (7.4 A)
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Seed mixture
Water Quality
• Periodic samples - See Table 9
• Weather condition during collection - See Table 10
- Truck and dozer
- 3.0 Ha (7.4 A)
Same as described for the mountaintop re-
vegetation.
MINE SITE MA
Physical Description
t
Topography
• Location
• Terrain
Elevation
• Slope
• Area
• Vegetation
Climatology
• Local storms -
• Runoff
• Erosion potential -
• Annual precipitation -
• Local temperature -
• Local precipitation -
Geology
• Strata
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
• Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Volatile matter -
Pedology
• Major soil association
Southern West Virginia
Steep erosion valleys and mountains
351 m (1,220 ft.) to 372 m (1,150 ft.)
above sea level
23° on sidewalls, 7° on valley bottoms
22 Ha (55 A)
Mixed Mesophytic oak-hickory forest,
second or third growth
40 to 50 days/year
51 cm (20 in.)/year
Severe
122 cm (48 in.)/year
See Figure 14
See Figure 15
See Table 11
Middle to Upper Pennsylvanian
Pittsburg
13,800
2.2%
7%
37%
- Muskingum-Upshur
68
-------
TABLE 9. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE HA'S SEDIMENT POND
o\
UJ
SOURCE
E
F
F
L
I)
E
N
T
I
N
F
L
U
E
N
T
MONTH
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
A VERA GE
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
AVERAGE
I
a
6.7
6.5
6.8
6.6
7.2
7.2
-
7.7
6.6
—
ALKALINITY
24
28
70
66
44
46
46.3
132
44
88
^
ACIDITY (HOI
0
2
0
0
0
0
.3
0
0
0
TOTAL IRON
.18
.11
.51
.57
.30
.64
.39
.36
.36
TURBIDITY
5
5
5
45
10
1 7
14
< 5
2
4
SULFATE
140
175
700
130
175
175
249
540
700
62O
CO
TOTAL SOLID
350
390
1170
362
349
350
495
1094
1270
1182
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
16
4
3
32
24
11
15
< 1
6
4
CALCIUM
36
70
92
31
79
60
61
200
200
MAGNESIUM
21
60
49
24
37
34
38
140
140
MANGANESE
.10
.15
-
.53
.09
.33
.24
1 .1
1 .1
ALUMINUM
<,
<. 1
.10
.3
.2
.2
.2
.1
.1
COPPER
,0,
<.01
....
<. 01
<.o,
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
0
z
N
.02
.04
.07
.14
,0,
.2
.08
.44
.44
CADMIUM
c.01
•C.01
..0,
<.01
<.o,
<,01
<.o,
< .01
<.01
NICKEL
.03
C.03
-
<.03
<.03
C.03
<. 03
<.03
<.03
DISSOLVED
IRON
<.„,
C.01
-
1 .1
.07
.08
.25
.01
.03
.02
b-
SPECIFIC
CONDUCTIVIT1
(MTihoi/cm)
460
515
1240
390
430
450
580
1305
1360
1333
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
-------
TABLE 10. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE HA
oc
<
Ul
>
<£>
h-
0>
T~
!>.
h-
0)
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
DAILY
MIN.
0
(38)
-4
(24)
14
(57)
11
(52)
-2
(28)
9
(49)
DAIL Y
MAX.
20
(68)
19
(66)
29
(84)
17
(63)
10
(50)
24
(75)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
0.33
(0.13)
0
0
0.23
(0.09)
Trace
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DAYS
4
2
1
1
3
1
AMOUNT
CM (INI
Trace
Trace
0.18
(0.07)
0.69
(0.27)
0.53
(0.21)
0.25
(0.10)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
70
10
90
84
90
100
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
69.55
(27.38)
69.52
(27.37)
69.57
(27.39)
69.83
(27.49)
69.62
(27.41)
70.21
(27.64)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
58
27
76
90
71
48
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH tMPH)
23.5
(14.6)
7.1
(4.4)
14.0
(8.7)
11 .9
(7.4)
13.7
(8.5)
18.3
(11.4)
DIRECTION
28
31
15
22
23
14
COMMENTS
Cloudy, rain
Sunny
Cloudy
Cloudy
Cloudy
Cloudy and warm
-------
40-
""» 30-
CD
CO
O)
•- 20-
c
0)
O
o
"" 10-
LU
DC
i n-
f— U
DC
LU
*> -10-
LU
i
r—
-20-
^m jjl^*.^^*jm***t^L
/^^^— _^^&t^^*^^ ^""^^
t^ ^^"— • ^0*^^^ """^k.
-^^ ^B^ "^
\^
X' ^— Jt*^j[ "^-^
-rrS "^vlT ""^"-s-
y^ ^y "•
•*••'* **>
*^C A. ^V N~
*3£~~ S'' ''"'•:. *\
A'' x'"" '"* 4 \T
"EC/-3- / \ ^ IT
•r • \ "»^LJ
..A*
\
•*••' LEGEND "...
*
MAXIMUM *A....
.•*' ***•«.
- ..•'" MINIMUM
Of •••••••• "^^ /w* / v i jvt \jivt
"0" DEPARTURE FROM 4 YEAR AVERAGE
-100
- 90
- 80
- 70
- 60
- 50
-40
-30
-20
- 10
--10
***>
+_t
~
_
c
0)
.c
CO
LU
o
*"*
LU
GC
Z>
H
<
DC
QL
«E
H
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. 3EPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 14. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site MA
-------
K3
19.0-
18.0-
17.0-
16.0-
15.0-
14.0-
~+ 13.0-
IM
® 11.0-
~ 10.0-
0"
< 6.0-
t 5.0-
CL
O 4.0-
LU
OC 3.0-
Q.
2.0-
1.0-
0-
I
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\-r
\
*
i
1
1
1
\l
1
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
1
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
»
f
TT/
kr
U
/
f
»
/
1
\
\
\
\
^
s.
\
\
\
\
^
\
J
\
\
s
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\ ^- d
\
\ I
\ 1
\ 1
\ /
\ 1
\ 1
\ 1
\ 1
\ 1
%-/
\ 1
T
' -J
\
X
s
\
\
\
\
\
s
\
—
^
1
\
V,
\
"\
\ i
:',
^ |
\ _
\ f
s 1
: \
L \
/ i
i 1
I
I "
1
1
I
LEGEND 1
"0" DEPAh
TOTAL \
UURE FROM
1975 DATA
J
*
/
'
1
-7.0
-6.0
-5.0
co
0)
O
-4.0 £
™"
ro co
b b
ECIPITATION
or
Q.
-1.0
— n
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT
TIME
NOV.
DEC.
Figure 15. Total precipitation in 1976 by month
for mine site MA
-------
TABLE 11. OVERBURDEN AT MINE SITE MA
CORE
CHARACTER-
ISTICS
3
4
5
AVG
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
ROCK TYPE
SANDSTONE
10. 1
(33)
46.5
10.4
(34)
56.7
14.3
(47)
78.3
7.9
(26)
39.4
14.3
(47)
71.2
11.4
(37.4)
55.8
SOAPSTONE
4.0
(13)
18.3
4.9
(16)
26.7
1.2
(4)
6.67
7.3
(24)
36.4
3.7
(12)
18.2
4.2
(13.8)
20.6
SHALE
7.6
(25)
35.2
3.1
(10)
16.7
2.7
(9)
15.0
4.9
(16)
24.2
1.2
(4)
6.06
3.9
(12.8)
19. 1
_J
0
(0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.9
(3)
4.55
.9
(3)
4.48
TOTAL
21.6
(71)
100.0
18.3
(60)
100.0
18.3
(60)
1OO.O
20.1
(66)
100.0
20. 1
(66)
100.0
20.4
(67)
100.0
Thickness is In meters and (feet).
73
-------
Description
• Minor soils
- Moderately deep and well drained,
derived from alkaline shales, red
clay subsoil
- None significant
Mining Technique: Mountaintop Removal
Operations
• Area
• Employees
• Work schedule
• Coal series
Equipment - See Table 12
Mining Techniques
• Exploration
• Erosion control
- Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
• Overburden
• Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Trees
• Intended land use
22 Ha (55 A)
30
Two 8-hour shifts/day for 5 days/
week
Lower Monongahela
- Stratigraphic core borings
- Berms, erosion ditches, and sedi-
ment ponds
- 12 m (40 ft.)
- 3 x 5 m (10 ft. by 15 ft.)
- 14 cm (15^ in.)
- ANFO
- Electric cap and primacord
- Simultaneous row
- 45 to 113 kg (200 to 250 lbs.)/hole
- See Table 11
- Front-end loaders or 50 ton trucks
- 45,35O metric (50,OOO short) tons/
year
- Front-end loaders, haul trucks
- 6.4 km (4 miles) round trip
- Utility steam
- Bulldozer
- 22 Ha (55 A)
- Hydroseeder, broadcast seeder and
helicopter
- 10-20-10
- 1680 kg/Ha (1,500 Ibs./A) wood fiber
- Locust seed 44 kg/Ha (40 Ibs./A)
- Pasture lands and meadows
74
-------
Seed mixture - Kentucky 31 fescue - 44 kg/Ha (40 lbs./A)
- Birdsfoot trefoil - 44 kg/Ha (40 lbs./A)
- Clover - 44 kg/Ha (40 lbs./A)
- Rye - 44 kg/Ha (40 lbs./A)
TABLE 12. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE MA
Equipment
Front-End Loaders
Huff 560
Huff 400
Cat 988
Dozers
Int. Harvester 25C
Cat D-9
No. of
Pieces
1
1
1
2
2
Capacity
7 yd
12/£ yd
7 yd
-
—
Age
(Years)
2
2
2
2
2
Condition
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Trucks (off-road)
Int. Harvester 350
50 T
Good
Drill
Davey Drill
Grader
Cat 14
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
• Volume
• Slope
• Spoil haulage distance
Site Preparation
• Sediment pond
Location
Type
Size
• Erosion control
Good
Good
46,600 cubic m (200,000 cubic yds.)
23° on sidewalls, 7° at the toe
0.8 km (0.5 mile)
366 m (1 ,200 ft.) from toe of fill
Excavated
Surface area 2,400 m (26,000 sq.
ft.)
Surge pond, diversion ditches, and
berms
75
-------
Oak-hickory forest
Cut and dozered
Windrowed and buried
Fractured sandstone and shale core
Fill dumped and placed by dozer
Three lifts, sloped toward the rock
core
Maximum outslope 26°
1 .7 Ha (4.3 A)
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
. Underdrainage system
• Spoil placement
• Lift design
. Final fill form
Slope
Area
Reclamation
• Regrading - Dozers
• Revegetation
Area - 1.7 Ha (4.3 A)
Fertilizer - 10-20-10
• Mulch - 1680 kg/Ha (1,500 Ibs./A) wood fiber
. Seed mixture - Hay 4 bales/Ha (1J£ bales/A)
- Kentucky 31 fescue - 44 kg/Ha (40 Ibs./A)
- Birdsfoot trefoil - 44 kg/Ha (40 Ibs./A)
- Clover - 44 kg/Ha (40 Ibs./A)
- Rye - 44 kg/Ha (40 Ibs./A)
- Locust seed - 44 kg/Ha (40 Ibs./A)
Water Quality
• Periodic samples - See Table 13
• Weather condition during collection - See Table 14
MINE SITE OA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location
• Terrain
• Elevation
• Slope
• Area
• Vegetation
Climatology
• Local storms
- West Virginia
- Steep erosion valleys and mountains
- 366 m (1,200 ft.) to 475 m (1,560 ft.)
- 26° on sidewalls, 11° at toe of hollow
- 16 Ha (40 A)
- Second-third generation oak-beech forest
- 45 days/year
76
-------
TABLE 13. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE
MA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
L
U
N
T
I
N
F
L
U
E
N
T
MONTH
April
September
November
December
January
AVERAGE
September
November
AVERAGE
I
&
7.1
7.9
7.5
7.3
7.3
-
6.9
6.7
—
ALKALINITY
64
162
138
66
362
158
40
26
33
„
ACIDITY (HOT
0
0
o
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL IRON
.40
C.01
.78
.58
. 17
.39
.14
.57
.47
TURBIDITY
30
C5
75
48
1.2
32
5
C5
11 .1
SULFATE
83
90
125
90
220
122
6O
20
53
01
TOTAL SOLID
290
292
372
260
740
391
173
71
145
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
3O
22
34
35
15
27
10
3
11
CALCIUM
66
60
85
70
240
104
31
59
62
MAGNESIUM
20
27
25
17
61
30
8.5
6.2
8.2
MANGANESE
.16
.01
.70
.30
1.4
.57
.01
.02
.02
ALUMINUM
.10
C.1
.1
.3
.1
.3
C. 1
.3
.2
COPPER
c.oi
C.01
C.01
C.01
.01
.01
C.01
C.O1
.01
0
N
.02
.37
.18
.54
. 13
.25
.31
.34
.39
CADMIUM
c.oi
C.01
C 01
C.01
.01
.01
C.01
C.01
.01
NICKEL
C.O3
C.03
C.03
C.03
.03
.03
C.03
C.03
.03
DISSOLVED
IRON
.02
.02
.31
.13
.02
.01
C.01
C.01
,02
V
SPECIFIC
CONDUCTIVIT
(xmhot/cm)
345
455
460
300
1040
52O
250
120
203
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
*Average - Includes results for data not shown on Table.
Months Included; Inf.: Dec. '76
-------
TABLE 14. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE MA
CC
<
III
>-
CD
N-
OJ
T-
f-
f-
OJ
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
o c (° F)
OAlLr
MIN.
-4
(25)
3
(37)
17
(62)
10
(50)
-1
(30)
21
(69)
DAIL Y
MAX.
15
(59)
19
(66)
29
(84)
29
(84)
9
(48)
29
(85)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
0
o
0
0
o
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DAYS
1
3
11
3
1
15
AMOUNT
CM (IN)
0.56
(0.22)
0.10
(0.04)
O.2O
(O.08)
1 .93
(0.77)
0.10
(0.04)
O.2O
(0.08)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
40
0
70
30
10
90
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
74.14
(29.19)
73.64
(28.99)
73.89
(29.09)
74.52
(29.34)
74.32
(29.26)
74.24
(29.23)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
33
26
40
31
52
33
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (UPH)
9.2
(5.7)
5.8
(3.6)
8.7
(5.4)
1.9
(1.2)
4.3
(2.7)
13.8
(8.6)
DIRECTION
16
33
18
16
28
18
COMMENTS
Partly Sunny
Sunny
Dry, Hot, Sunny
Partly Sunny,
Warm
Sunny
Partially Sunny,
Hot
00
-------
Runoff
Erosion potential
• Annual precipitation
Local temperature
• Local precipitation
Geology
• Strata
Age of formation
• Coal seams
• Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Volatile matter
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
• Minor soils
38 cm (15 in.)/year
Severe - moderate
114 cm (45 in.)
See Figure 16
See Figure 17
1OO% sandstone
Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian
Lower Kittanning (No. 5 Block)
13,500
1%
9%
34%
Muskingum
Moderately deep and well drained
None significant
Mining Technique; Mountaintop Removal
Operations
• Area
• Employees
• Work schedule
• Coal series
Equipment - See Table 15
Mining Techniques
• Exploration
• Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
• Overburden
• Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
16 Ha (4O A)
14
Two 8-hour shifts/day, 5 to 6 days/
week
Lower Allegheny
- Stratigraphic core borings
- Berms, diversion ditches and sedi-
ment ponds
- 9 m (30 ft.)
- 3 to 4 m (10 ft. to 72 ft.)
- 18 cm (7% in.)
- ANFO
- Electric cap
- Straight rows
- 45 to 68 kg (100 to 150 lbs.)/hole
- Acid strata of 100% sandstone
- Front-end loaders and haul trucks
- 9,072 metric (10,000 short) tons/year
79
-------
00
o
40-
-* 30-
fli
u/
T3
(0
O)
•- 20-
c
Q>
O
o
4 f\
1 0-
LLI
oc
••^
h- fl-
CC
h^
LLJ
Q.
•^ -10-
LU
K
-20-
x"*-*— - ^'"""* *" "~--^
^•x/ ^^--».
^,,*~ V.
,P"X" '^B^.
_v'x/ xxX ^^^^W """--
^ U^ ^"' -A SN TT
y»* ^ Sjl
•• •*** **• ^ TT
i.l f S* *»^ ^ |i:|
••* *•
•' *.
.•
. ...... -A** i c o c M r« **•
Ik • LboblMLJ ^
MAX /MUM ''''-..
-•* ***
.• m * r A AI **..
— — — — —MEAN +.,t
S* A/1IMIK/II IK/I **•«.
•* •••• • ivi i iv i iviu ivi ••»
.••^K ^fn^ ^m
A T DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
-100
- 90
- 80
- 70
-60
- 50
-40
-30
- 20
-10
- 0
--10
_
^^
'o
t—
c
0>
(0
u.
o
^^
HI
o:
^^
^
cc
LLJ
Q.
tSi
LU
TIME
Figure 16. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site OA
-------
00
15.0-
14.0-
« 13.0-
-------
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Trees
- Front-end loaders and haul trucks
- 11 km (7 miles) to prep plant
- Utility steam
— Dozers
- 16 Ha (40 A)
- Hydroseeder
- 336 kg/Ha (300 lbs./A) of 18-46-0 or 10-20-O
- 84O kg/Ha (75O lbs./A) wood fiber
- Virginia Pine, White Pine, Oak, Autumn
Olive and European Alder
Seed mixture - Kentucky 31 fescue - 22 kg/Ha (20 lbs./A)
- Serecia Lespedeza - 17 kg/Ha (15 lbs./A)
- Weeping lovegrass - 5 kg/Ha (5 lbs./A)
- Millet - 5 kg/Ha (5 lbs./A)
- Black locust - 5 kg/Ha (5 lbs./A)
TABLE 15. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE OA
Equipment
Front-End Loader
Michigan 475 B
No. of Age
Pieces Capacity (Years) Condition
9 ydc
Good
Dozers
Cat D-9
Cat D-8
2
1
Varies
Varies
Good
Good
Trucks
Euclid R-50
50 T
Good
Drill
Robbins
Shovel
Good
Good
Grader
Cat 16G
Good
82
-------
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
• Volume -
• Slope
• Spoil haulage distance -
Site Preparation
- Sediment pond
Location -
Type
Size -
Erosion control -
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation -
Removal method -
Disposition -
Fill Construction
• Underdrainage system -
• Spoil placement -
Lift design -
• Final fill form
Slope
Area -
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Seed mixture
Water Quality
• Periodic samples
• Weather condition during
268,000 cubic m (350,000 cubic
yds.)
33° on sidewalls, 14° at toe of fill
0.4 km (0.25 miles)
1 .6 km (1 mile) from toe of fill
Excavated silt structure
1,125 cubic m (9.1 ac.-ft.) capacity
Diversion ditches, windrowed
vegetation
Oak beech forest
Cut and dozered
Windrowed or buried
Fractural sandstone core
Haul trucks and bulldozers
Three lifts, overall slope 26°
26° overall, 5° slope west
0.6 Ha (1.4 A)
- Dozers
- 0.6 Ha (1 .4 A)
Same as described for the mountain-
top revegetation.
- See Table 16
collection - See Table 17
MINE SITE PA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location
• Terrain
• Elevation
• Slope
Southern West Virginia
Steep erosion valleys and mountains
622-695 m (2,040-2,281 ft.)
Overall average slope 24°
83
-------
TABLE 16. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE OA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
L
U
E
N
T
I
N
F
L
U
E
N
T
MONTH
April
June
Nove mbe r
April
AVERAGE
November
December
AVERAGE
X
a
6.3
6.5
6.7
7.2
-
6.9
7.2
—
ALKALINITY
16
42
24
30
28
32
40
36
ACIDITY (HOI
2
0
0
-18
-4
0
O
O
O
IX
t-
o
,70
.09
.56
.45
_
.54
.54
TURBIDITY
100
10
5
12
32
35
25
30
SULFATE
50
60
60
53
5.6
125
115
12O
CO
TOTAL SOLID
180
160
151
134
156
317
380
348
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
50
21
8
27
27
35
12O
78
CALCIUM
19
10
368
132
_
25
25
MAGNESIUM
13
17
18
16
_
29
29
MANGANESE
.04
-
.09
.06
_
5.2
5.2
ALUMINUM
.60
..,0
.3
.3
__
.2
.2
COPPER
<..,
<..,
.01
.01
_
<.01
< .01
o
z
N
.02
.01
.28
.1
—
.14
.14
CADMIUM
C.01
<.01
.01
.01
—
c.oi
£.01
NICKEL
C.O3
-
.03
.03
_,
.04
.04
DISSOLVED
IRON
.21
-
.09
.01
. 1
.22
.21
.21
>
SPECIFIC
CONDUCTIVIT
(M»>ho«/cm)
170
23O
250
170
205
360
35O
355
00
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
-------
TABLE 17. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE OA
d
<
lit
>
(0
r-
0)
T~
ft.
f^
O)
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
DAILY
MIN.
0
(32)
0
(32)
21
(70)
14
(57)
-3
(27)
12
(54)
DAILY
MAX.
16
(61)
19
(66)
33
(91)
29
(84)
10
(50)
29
(84)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
Trace
0
0
0
0
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
/VO. DA YS
1
4
1
3
1
12
AMOUNT
CM (INI
0.48
(0.19)
Trace
0.03
(0.01)
0.23
(0.09)
0.05
(0.02)
0.2O
(0.08)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
40
0
70
30
20
100
AVERAGE
BAROM
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
74.14
(29. 19)
73.56
(28.96)
73.89
(29 . 09)
74.52
(29.34)
73.64
(28.99)
73.94
(29.11)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
33
35
4O
31
30
33
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPHI
9.2
(5.7)
8.2
(5.1)
8.7
(5.4)
1 .9
(1.2)
10. 0
(6.2)
5.2
(3.2)
DIRECTION
16
23
18
16
26
28
COMMENTS
Partly sunny
Clear
Dry, hot, sunny
Partly sunny,
warm
Partly sunny
Cloudy and warm
00
01
-------
• Area -
• Vegetation -
Climatology
Local storms -
• Runoff -
• Erosion potential -
• Annual precipitation -
• Local temperature -
• Local precipitation -
Geology
• Strata
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
• Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur -
Ash
Volatile matter -
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
• Minor soils
8.0 Ha (19.8 A)
Northern Deciduous, oak-maple forest
40 days/year
38 cm (15 in.)/year
Severe
102 cm (40 in.)
See Figure 18
See Figure 19
37 m (120 ft.) total, 82% sandstone,
8% subsoil, 7% shale, 1% fire clay
Middle Pennsylvanian
Lower Kittanning
13,500
1%
9%
34%
- Muskingum
- Shallow to moderately deep, well
drained, derived from acidic sand-
stone and shale
- None significant
Mining Techniques; Mountaintop Removal
Operations
• Area
• Employees
• Work schedule
• Coal series
Equipment - See Table 18
Mining Techniques
. Exploration
• Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
8 Ha (20 A)
22
Two 10-hour shifts/day for 5 days/
week
Lower Allegheny
Stratigraphic core borings
Box cuts, sediment pond, berms and
diversion ditches
8 m (25 ft.)
4 m (12 ft.) centers
23 cm (9 in.)
ANFO
Electric cap and delays
86
-------
00
-si
40-
*"* 30-
0>
•0
CO
O)
•^ 20-
c
CD
O
0
~ 10-
LLJ
CC
D
h- 0-
^
LJJ
0_
^> -10-
tu
-20-
xxx"*--.^ ^""^'*'*'*-*^.^
X*^ ^^ ""*"-
,x' ^-^>
X '^v
X'*' ^— JL—- 5^ "X
1LX' "^^ "^"B
^^Jr ^^
f"*
---I ,/ -•• \
,'J /•" \ s4
TTX ^** *•• ^ |j
••'*'
A A'X
..* * '^
LEGEND \.
.•*
MA XI MUM '<*..
-A* " * * •
». • i^.«™.^^ MFA N ""'•A
£f ' ^m ^m ^~ ^^ ^^ IVt L. f\ 1 V 1A
.... IVI 1 IV 1 IVI U IVI
I DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
-100
- 90
- 80
- 70
-60
- 50
-40
-30
- 20
- 10
- 0
--10
^^
^j
—
Jd
c
0}
JC.
CO
u.
o
^"*
LU
CC
^
h-
CC
LU
Q.
^*
LU
f—
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 18. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site PA
-------
00
00
15.0-
14.0-
13.0-
*W
u- 12.0-
-------
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
• Overburden
• Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
. Regrading
. Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
. Trees
. Intended land use
• Seed mixture
Straight rows
- 68 kg (150 lbs.)/hole
- 30 m (100 ft.) acid-producing sand-
stone, some shale
- Front-end loaders/trucks
- 181,440 metric (200,000 short) tons/
year
- Front-end loaders/trucks
- 6.4 km (4 miles) to prep plant
- Utility steam
Bulldozers used, cleat tracks used as seed
traps
8 Ha (20 A)
Hydroseeder and aerial seeding
561 kg/Ha (500 Ibs./A) of 10-20-10
840 kg/Ha (750 IDS./A) conwedd fiber
Hand planted pine and black locust
Commercial development or wildlife
habitat
Kentucky 31 fescue - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
Redtop - 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
Serecia Lespedeza - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
Crownvetch - 7 kg/Ha (5.5 Ibs./A)
Black locust - 7 kg/Ha (5.5 Ibs./A)
TABLE 18. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE PA
Equipment
Front-End Loaders
Cat 988
Cat 992
No. of
Pieces
Capacity
7yd3,
yd'
Age
(Years)
<2
<2
Condition
Good
Good
Dozers
Cat D-9
Cat D-7
Trucks (off- road)
Cat 773
Drill
2
1
3
1
Varies
35 T
9"
<2
<2
<2
<2
Good
Good
Good
Good
89
-------
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
• Volume
• Slope
. Spoil haulage distance
Site Preparation
• Sediment pond
Location
Type
Size
• Erosion control
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
Underdrainage system
• Spoil placement
Lift design
• Final fill form
Slope
Area
Reclamation
• Regrading
. Revegetation
Area -
Fertilizer -
Mulch -
• Seed mixture —
229,000 cubic m (300,000 cubic yds.)
Average slope 24°
0.4 km (0.25 mile)
- 31 m (100 ft.) from toe of fill
- Excavated
- Capacity 154 cubic m (0.125 ac.-ft.)
- Diversion ditches
- Northern Deciduous forest
- Cut and dozered
- Buried and windrowed
- Sandstone core
- Adjacent to rock core by trucks and
dozers
- 5 lifts, slope 26°
- Maximum outslope 26°
- 0.6 Ha (1 .5 A)
- Dozers, cleat tracks used as seed traps
— Crownvetch —
- Black locust -
Water Quality
• Periodic samples -
• Weather condition during collection —
0.6 Ha (1 .5 A)
561 kg/Ha (500 Ibs./A) of 10-20-10
840 kg/Ha (750 Ibs./A) conwedd fiber
Kentucky 31 fescue - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
Redtop - 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
Serecia Lespedeza - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
- 7 kg/Ha (5.5 Ibs./A)
- 7 kg/Ha (5.5 Ibs./A)
See Table 19
See Table 20
90
-------
TABLE 19. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE PA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
F
L
U
E
N
T
MONTH
September
November
December
April
AVERAGE
I
a.
6.1
6.4
6.5
6.8
-
ALKALINITY
16
14
14
36
20
ACIDITY (HOT)
4
0
0
-16
-3
TOTAL IRON
. 1
-
.2
.1
.1
TURBIDITY
40
5
11
2
15
SULFATE
40
30
45
28
36
TOTAL SOLIDS
114
170
- 2OO
-
161
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
28
«
12
-
14
CALCIUM
8.8
-
37
33
26
MAGNESIUM
20
-
21
24
22
MANGANESE
.5
-
.41
.06
.32
ALUMINUM
c.1
-
.1
. 1
.1
COPPER
<.o,
-
C.01
.01
.01
o
z
N
.08
-
.39
.08
. 18
CADMIUM
C.01
-
c.01
.01
.01
NICKEL
C.03
-
<.03
.03
.03
DISSOLVED
IRON
.03
.04
.12
.01
.05
SPECIFIC
CONDUCTIVITY
(xmhos/cm)
225
235
240
330
258
CD
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
-------
TABLE 20. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE PA
Ill
CO
o>
T-
N
0)
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C <° F)
DAILY
MIN.
2
(35)
0
(32)
18
(64)
12
(54)
-3
(26)
12
(53)
DAILY
MAX.
21
(70)
20
(68)
30
(86)
23
(73)
10
(50)
24
(75)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
O.61
(0.24)
0
0
0
0.08
(0.03)
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
WO. DAYS
4
1
1
4
2
1
AMOUNT
CM (IN)
0.13
(0.05)
0.08
(O.O3)
0.15
(0.06)
3.6
(1.4)
Trace
0.25
(0.10)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
70
40
90
90
70
100
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
69.55
(27.38)
69.47
(27 . 35)
69.88
(27.51)
70.36
(27.70)
69.62
(27.41)
70.21
(27.64)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
58
30
52
40
36
48
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPHl
23.5
(14.6)
7.1
(4.4)
12.2
(7.6)
7.4
(4.6)
15.5
(9.6)
18.3
(11.4)
DIRECTION
28
31
19
14
27
14
COMMENTS
Cloudy, rain
Sunny
Cloudy
Cloudy
Partly cloudy
Cloudy and warm
CD
ru
-------
MINE SITE EA
Physical Description
Topography
Location -
• Terrain -
• Elevation
• Slope
• Area -
• Vegetation -
Climatology
• Local storms -
• Runoff -
• Erosion potential
• Annual precipitation -
Local temperature -
Local precipitation -
Geology
- Strata
- Age of formation -
- Coal seams -
- Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Moisture —
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
• Minor soils
Cumberland Plateau, eastern Kentucky
High steep slopes
329-402 m (1 ,080-1 ,320 ft.)
25° near head; 5° at toe of hollow
103 Ha (255 A)
Mixed Mesophytic oak-maple forest,
second or third generation climax
30 to 50 days/year
38 cm (15 in.)/year
Severe
114 cm (45 in.)
See Figure 20
See Figure 21
See Table 21
Lower-Middle Pennsylvanian
5A, 7, 8, 9 and 9 rider
11,650
0.8%
13%
6%
- Jefferson-Shelocta
- Acidic sandstone, siltstone and shale;
sod deep, well drained and gravelly
or stony
- Steinsburg, Rigley, Dekalb, Lily,
Wernock, Allegheny, Pope, Stendal,
and Latham
Mining Technique: Mountaintop Removal
Operations
• Area
• Employees
• Work schedule
• Coal series
89 Ha (219 A)
50
Two 10-hour shifts/day, five days/week
Upper Pottsville-Lower Allegheny
93
-------
40-
30-
^^
CD
TJ
CO
0) 20-
*->
c
CD
0
® 1 n-
^^ 1 W
LU
a:
Z) 0-
i-
<
DC
LU
0_ -10-
2
LU
t—
-20-
^,»--* ^,-"**" * •*--
jm-***' "**•-(§-"' *'**'*^
^'^^ *"^—
X' "^'"•-v
^ ^ \ TT
-j.**-*** \J|
*»^*f!f ^. •!%,
/f /"" "\ NT
^ ^'-* / «, ^^*
y»^ y* % ^*J||
..-'•"*
LEGEND \
#* *
MAX /MUM
-•• ^^^B«^ K/IC A A/ **A
..•• — — — — McAN *••-..
••* B»A
A.** ••••••••••••.« rtyf / HIIRAI IKA
M MINIMUIVi
H" DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
-100
- 90
- 80
- 70
- 60
-50
-40
-30
- 20
- 10
--10
^
.**
.C
c
0)
CO
u.
0
LU
nr
h^B
D
h-
QC
LU
Q.
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 2O. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site EA
-------
vo
Cn
15.0-
14.0-
^ 13.0-
(Centimeters
co o -j. PO
b b b b
1 1 i 1
8.0-
2
o 7-°-
£ 6.0-
Q" 5-°~
O 4.0-
LU
QL 3'°~
2.0-
1.0-
VJ
^**
/
1
/
1
1 J
/
/
/
i
w
1
1
1
\
\
_\
I
\
* "i
t •
\
\
1:
•
»•
I
\:
;
t ;
\
\
\
\
i
i
i
/
/
/
I
/-
\i
i
^"M.
' \
\
i \ ,,
V
LEGEND
r"l
t,
\
\
\
V
\
\ i
: I
\
\
\
\
\
V
L \
\
\
I
\
r T
/
: /
/
I
: 9
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
i
"I" DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
-6.0
-5.0
CO
0>
o
-4.0 C
0 n O
-3.0 —
^
^^
tz
a.
-2.0 0
LU
oc
a.
-1.0
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 21. Total precipitation in 1976 by month
for mine site EA
-------
TABLE 21. OVERBURDEN AT MINE SITE EA
CORE
CHARACTER
ISTICS
a
3
A
V
G.
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
ROCK TYPE
SANDSTONE
3.4
(11.2)
12.7
29.9
(98.0)
54.8
9.1
(30.0)
56.6
14. 1
(46.4)
41.4
SHALE
23.4
(76. 8)
87.3
18.6
(61.0)
34. 1
3.4
(11.0)
20.8
15. 1
(49.6)
44.3
_l
O
CO
-
0
6. 1
(20.0)
11.2
3.6
(12.0)
22.6
4.9
(16.0)
14.3
TOTAL
26.8
(88.0)
54.6
(179.0)
16.2
(53.0)
34.1
(112.0)
100.0
Thickness is In meters and (feet).
Equipment - See Table 22
Mining Techniques
• Exploration
• Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
. Overburden
• Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Stratigraphic core borings
Sediment ponds and diversion ditches
6 to 21 m (7 ft. to 20 ft.)
3 m (1O ft.) centers
23 cm (9 in.)
ANFO
Electric cap and delays
Simultaneous rows
104 to 454 kg (230 to 1 ,OOO lbs.)/hole
See Table 21
By truck, less than one mile to hollow
fill
453,590 metric (500,000 short) tons/
year
Truck
96
-------
Haulage -
Market -
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Re vegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Trees
• Intended land
• Seed mixture
11 .3 to 19.3 km (7 to 12 miles)
Utility steam
- Dozers; final slope approximately 20°
- 89 Ha (219 A)
- Hydroseeder used
- 336 to 392 kg/Ha (3OO to 350 tbs./A) of
16-32-8
- 1121 kg/Ha (1 ,000 Ibs./A) wood fiber
- 5 kg/Ha (5 Ibs./A) locust seed used with no
seedlings planted
use - "Game Lands", farming, grazing
- 90 kg/Ha (80 Ibs./A)
- Winter rye - 27 kg/Ha (25 IDS./A)
- Kentucky 31 fescue - 22 kg/Ha (20 Ibs./A)
- Redtop - 3 kg/Ha ( 3 Ibs./A)
- Yellow clover - 13 kg/Ha (12 tbs./A)
- Crownvetch - 5 kg/Ha ( 5 Ibs./A)
- Serecia Lespedeza - 13 kg/Ha (12 Ibs./A)
TABLE 22. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE EA
No. of Age
Equipment Pieces
Front-End Loader
Cat 988 2
Cat 992 1
Int. Harvester H40O 2
Michigan 475 2
Dozer
Cat D-9 6
Capacity (Years) Condition
7 yd.
10fc yd.
10-12 yd.
4
5
3
2
Varies
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Trucks (off-road)
Euclid R-50
Terex 33-09
Drill
2
4
50 T
Robbins
1
3
Varies
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Grader
Cat 12
Good
Trucks (coal haulers)
Contracted
97
-------
Head-of-Hollow FLU
Fill Description
• Volume
• Slope
• Spoil haulage distance
Site Preparation
• Sediment pond
Location
Type
• Erosion control
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
• Underdralnage system
• Spoil placement
• Lift design
• Final fill form
Slope
Area
Reclamation
• Reg r ad Ing
• Revegetatlon
Area
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Seed mixture
Water Quality
• Periodic samples
• Weather condition
during collection
1 .15 million cubic m (1 .5 million
cubic yds.)
Sldewalls 22Q to 29Q, 70 at toe of fill
Less than 1.6 km (1 mile)
- 304 m (1,000 ft.) from toe of fill
- Sandstone/shale rock dam, second-
ary "dugout" structures also used
- Diversion ditches around top of fill
directed toward silt basin; also 10°
cut across fill face
- Second and third growth oak and
maple
- Cut and doze red
- Windrowed at base of fill
- Fractured sandstone french drain
formed by natural segregation
- Free dumped from top of fill
- No lifts
- Overall average 20°, maximum
outs lope 25°
- 15 Ha (36 A)
- Dozers; overall slope approximately
20°
- 15 Ha (36 A)
- 336 to 392 kg/Ha (30O to 35O Ibs./A)
of 16-32-8
- 1121 kg/Ha (1,000 Ibs./A) wood
fiber
- As described for mountalntop
revegetatlon
- See Table 23
- See Table 24
98
-------
TABLE 23. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE
EA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
L
U
E
N
T
MONTH
October
November
A VERA GE
I
a
7.4
7.2
-
ALKALINITY
62
74
68
CIDITY (HOI
<
0
o
0
TOTAL IRON
,95
.95
TURBIDITY
90
5
48
SULFATE
60
90
75
CO
Q
_1
O
CO
_l
<
1-
O
H
230
204
217
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
60
1
30
CALCIUM
25
39
32
MAGNESIUM
17
17
MANGANESE
.88
.88
ALUMINUM
<.1
< .1
COPPER
<.01
<.01
o
z
N
.09
.09
CADMIUM
<.O1
< .01
NICKEL
<.03
<.03
DISSOLVED
IRON
.43
.36
.40
>
SPECIFIC
ONDUCTIVIT
(Mmhotycm)
O
265
295
280
vo
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
-------
TABLE 24. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE EA
oc
<
LLJ
>-
(0
N
0>
S.
N
T™
MONTHS
APRIL
JUNE
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
DAILY
MIN.
7
(45)
16
(60)
19
(67)
5
(41)
6
(42)
10
(50)
DAILY
MAX.
27
(80)
19
(67)
29
(85)
18
(65)
16
(60)
30
(86)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
o
1 .73
(0 . 68)
0
0
0
O
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DAYS
6
1
10
3
9
13
AMOUNT
CM (IN)
0.38
(0.15)
3.71
(1.46)
0.91
(0.36)
O.33
(0.13)
0.18
(0.07)
0.10
(0.04)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
7O
100
100
1O
0
60
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
73.84
(29.07)
73.56
(28.96)
73.86
(29.08)
73.53
(28 . 95)
73.36
(28.88)
73.79
(29.05)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
40
73
93
59
41
33
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (UPH)
6.4
(4.0)
6.0
(3.7)
7.6
(4.7)
12.4
(7.7)
15.9
(9.9)
8.5
(5.3)
DIRECTION
21
3
15
23
26
14
COMMENTS
Cloudy, cool and
damp
Cloudy, cool and
damp
Hot, humid and
hazy
Clear and cool
Cold, clear and
sunny
Partially cloudy
and hot
O
o
-------
MINE SITE FA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location -
• Terrain -
. Elevation -
• Slope
• Area -
• Vegetation -
Climatology
• Local storms -
• Runoff -
• Erosion potential -
• Annual precipitation -
• Local temperature -
• Local precipitation -
Geology
• Strata -
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
• Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Moisture -
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
• Minor soils
Cumberland Plateau, eastern Kentucky
Large steep erosion valleys and moun-
tains
305 m (1,000 ft.) to 732 m (2,400 ftO
above sea level
Vary from 31° on the slopes to 11° in
the valley bottoms
94 Ha (232 A)
Third to fourth generation Mesophytic
oak-maple forest
Intense thunderstorms 45 days/year
51 cm (20 in.) mean annual
Severe
127 cm (50 in.)
See Figure 22
See Figure 23
See Table 25
Lower Pennsylvanian
Lower and Middle Hanse
13,800
1 .5%
10%
2%
- Shelocta-Gilpin (65%)
- Deep, well drained soil covered by
woodland
- Remaining 35% of association com-
posed of Latham, Dekalb, Whitby,
Morehead, Cuba and Stendal
Mining Technique: Mountaintop Removal
Operations
. Area - 71 Ha (175 A)
• Employees - 75
101
-------
40-
*•* 30-
0>
T3
co
rn
w/
•^ 20-
C
CD
O
o
*"* 10-
111
DC
ID
^
~
LU
QL
2> -10-
LU
f—
-20-
.*""*"* ^^
x'^"""1"-— • x^'X' *"*"-
x' **W ^~
/x»x ""^
X ~
X — r^r— »
wf' .^. y y ^
x' x^^ **-Hir ^"%«-
X' -TT ^ "'H, ^*'*"'-<
"^ ^J~' S\ -TT-
Jlr ^ ^ r;-l
JK •"***" •••A%- *k
^ **** **• ^
^ff y^ *'*A xjT
¥x^x ../ \ ^^
•' *•*
/* * LEGEND '^
••'*
MA XI MUM
jf _ ^ ,_ *•,
•* ii M i i in i /wcXi/V *•
•' It..
.* MINIMUM A
*" •••.«•••.••••••• Ivl 1 1 V//V/ Ix/lr/ *A
..'
| DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
it'
-100
- 90
- 80
T ^
-70
-60
- 50
- 40
-30
-20
- 1 n
i \j
- 0
--10
^
4_>
(1)
JC
c
(D
(—
co
U_
o
"—
LU
DC
D
\-
<
DC
LU
CL
2
LU
I
P~*
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 22. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site FA
-------
o
CO
15.0-
14.0-
13.0-
*OT
i- 12.0-
^*t
CD 11.0-
E
•- 10.0-
c
® 90-
O
*"* 8.0-
Z 7.0-
IPITATIO
01 03
i o b
I i
o 4-u~
LU
QC 3-°-
CL
2.0-
1.0-
n-
i
%
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
/
/
j
/
m
1
1
i
i
i
\
L\
\
i
i
i
i
i
•
\
i
i
i
i
\
\
\
\
\
I
it
I
i
T '
/.
/
f
/
1
/
1
/
1
/
1
f
1
•
/
•
i
Ig
/
t
/
f
\
\
\
\
\
\ i
\
\
\
\
r
\
\
• ;
\
* :
« :
\
V
* :
1
1
:\ t -J
j
1
1
1
i
1
/
•
/
/
/
f
1
i
;
Li
LEGEND
1
\
\
\
\
\ 1
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
i
f
f
- /
/
i
/
"f" DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
-6.0
-5.0
CD
JT
-4.0 |
z
-3.0 O
i
IND
b
ECIPITAI
cr
Q_
-1.0
-0
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 23. Total precipitation in 1976 by month
for mine site FA
-------
TABLE 25. OVERBURDEN AT MINE SITE FA
CORE
CHARACTER-
ISTICS
2
3
4
5
AVG.
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
ROCK TYPE
SANDSTONE
WITH CLAY
2. 13
(7)
6
—
3.66
(12)
7
—
—
2.90
(9.5)
4
GRAY
SHALE
6.40
(21)
20
21.03
(69)
70
14.33
(47)
26
5.49
(18)
28
8.23
(27)
28
11.10
(36.4)
32
GRAY
SANDY
SHALE
.61
(2)
2
—
15.24
(50)
28
—
.31
(1)
1
5.40
(17.7)
10
GRAY
SANDSTONE
13.4
(44)
42
2.74
(9)
9
7.01
(23)
12
.91
(3)
4
4.88
(16)
17
5.79
(19)
17
_J
O
-
-
4.57
(15)
8
2.7
(9)
14
3.66
(12)
13
3.66
(12)
7
SANDSTONE
WITH SHALE
9.75
(32)
28
6.1
(20)
21
8.84
(29)
16
6.10
(20)
31
9.14
(30)
31
7.99
(26.2)
24
I T.
CO K
2
2
-
1.52
(5)
3
4.57
(15)
23
3.1
(10)
10
2.44
(8)
6
O
32.92
(108)
100
29.9
(98)
10O
5.17
(181)
100
19.81
(65)
100
29.26
(96)
1OO
39.26
(128.8)
100
Thickness is in meters and (feet).
104
-------
• Work schedule - Two 10-hour shifts daily, five days/week
• Coal series - Middle Pottsville
Equipment - See Table 26
Mining Techniques
- Stratigraphic core borings
- Diversion ditches and sediment ponds
Exploration
Erosion control
Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
Overburden
Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
Trees
Intended land use
Seed mixture
27 to 35 m (90 ft. to 115 ft.)
5.5 to 6.4 m (18 ft. to 21 ft.)
23 to 27 cm (9 in. to 10 5/8 in.)
ANFO
Electric cap and delays
Simultaneous row
2O4 to 250 kg (450 to 550 Ibs.) with
some chambering
See Table 25
By front-end loaders and trucks,
haulage distance 0.4 to 0.8 km (%-%.
mile) round trip
271,000 metric (300,000 short) tons/
year
Front-end loaders and trucks
6.4 km (4 miles) round trip
Utility steam
- Bulldozers used; maximum 20° slope
- 71 Ha (175 A)
- Seed sprayed with hydroseeder over cleat
tracks left by dozer
- 392 kg/Ha (350 Ibs./A) of 18-46-0
- 1682 kg/Ha (1 ,500 Ibs./A) wood fiber
- 2470/Ha (1,000/A) hand planted white and
scotch pines
- Grazing and agriculture
- Kentucky 31 fescue - 35 kg/Ha (30 Ibs./A)
- Annual ryegrass - 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
- Perennial ryegrass- 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
- Red clover - 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
- Kobe Lespedeza - 13 kg/Ha (12 Ibs./A)
105
-------
TABLE 26. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE FA
Equipment
Front-End Loader
Cat 992
Cat 992
Cat 988 (coal)
Hough 4OOC
Trucks (oFF-road)
Euclid R-75
No. oF
Pieces
1
1
1
1
Capacity
10 yd3
11 yd3
6 yd3
10 yd3
Age
(Years)
2
7
6
3
Condition
Good
Good
Good
Good
8
75 T
Good
Dozer
Kumatsu 355
Cat D-9
I.H. TD 25 C
Cat 984
(rubber tired)
Drag
1
3
1
1
1
1 1/2-3 yrs
3
1/2
Marion
Excellent
Good
Good
Excellent
Good
Shovel
Marion
Good
Drills
Bucyrus-Erie 45R
Robbins TD-30
(mounted on
International
Tractor)
Robbins 7584
(truck mounted)
Robbins 7584
(truck mounted)
Graders
Cat 16
10 5/8"
9"
5
5
Good
Good
1
1
9"
9"
5
10
Good
Good
Good
Trucks (coal)
Mack 26T
Hydroseeder
10
1
26T Contracted
Good
-i05
-------
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
• Volume
• Slope
• Spoil haulage distance
Site Preparation
• Sediment pond
Location
Type
Size
• Erosion control
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
. Underdrainage system
• Spoil placement
• Lift design
• Final fill form
Slope
Area
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area -
Fertilizer -
Mulch -
• Seed mixture -
- Dozers
1,975,000 cubic m (2.5 million
cubic yds.)
Side walls 15°; slope at toe 5°
0.4 to 0.8 km (% to J£ mile) from
mine site to hollow
Below toe of fill
Excavated
Surface area 0.9 Ha (2.1 A)
Diversion ditches sloped to sediment
pond; windrowed check dam also
used around hollow
Third and fourth generation oak-
maple forest
Cut and dozered
Windrowed at base of fill
Fractured sandstone french drain
formed by natural segregation
Free dumped at head of hollow
No lifts
Maximum of 20°
23 Ha (57 A)
23 Ha (57 A)
392 kg/Ha (350 Ibs./A) of 18-40-0
1682 kg/Ha (1,500 Ibs./A) wood fiber
Kentucky 31 fescue - 35 kg/Ha (30 Ibs./A)
Annual ryegrass - 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
Perennial ryegrass- 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
Clover - 12 kg/Ha (10 Ibs./A)
Kobe Lespedeza - 13 kg/Ha (12 Ibs./A)
Water Quality
• Periodic samples
• Weather condition during collection
- See Table 27
- See Table 28
107
-------
TABLE 27. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE FA'S SEDIMENT POND
o
CO
SOURCE
E
F
F
L
u
E
N
T
1
N
F
L
U
N
T
MONTH
FEBRUARY
APRIL
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
A VERA GE
AUGUST
NOVEMBER
AVERAGE
I
a
5.9
7.8
7.5
7.9
7.6
7.6
_
7.4
7.4
-
ALKALINITY
12
198
236
286
246
322
2I8
280
325
302
„
CIDITY (HOT
<
20
0
10
0
4
-364
-55
8
0
4
TOTAL IRON
<.01
1 .0
.32
.71
.83
60
10
.09
.4
.24
TURBIDITY
<5
15
10
5
<. 5
15
9
<5
<5
<5
SULFATE
260
1875
1950
1990
1700
1 924
I6I7
2400
2240
2320
W
OTAL SOLID
H
450
3675
3700
3570
2808
339I
2932
4470
3862
4166
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
18
1 1
19
6
3
31
15
16
2
9
CAL'CIUM
30
296
280
424
350
36
236
328
500
414
MAGNESIUM
22
365
350
6.2
290
8.4
1 74
470
450
460
MANGANESE
7.9
1 .4
1 .4
3.8
5.5
4.8
4.8
.82
2.9
1 .86
ALUMINUM
<. 1
<.1
C.1
.3
<.,
.3
.17
<.1
.1
<_-1
COPPER
<.o,
<.01
<.o,
<.01
C.01
<.OI
<.o,
C.01
C.01
<_.01
O
Z
N
.36
.02
.08
.71
.06
.35
.26
.06
.21
.14
CADMIUM
,0,
.01
..01
<.01
C.01
< .0!
<„
< .01
< .01
< .01
NICKEL
.30
.10
.05
.09
.04
.13
.12
.09
C.12
.10
DISSOLVED
IRON
<.„,
.04
.01
.70
<.01
<-OI
.03
.02
<.01
.02
>
SPECIFIC
IONDUCTIVIT
(Mmhof/cm)
u
690
3700
3075
3060
2670
2970
2694
3550
3400
3475
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
-------
TABLE 28. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE FA
DC
<
LLI
>
co
!•-.
0)
c-
l^~
O)
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
APRIL
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
° C (° F)
DAILY
MIN.
0
(321
7
(45)
18
(64)
4
(39)
-1
(31)
10
(50)
DAILY
MA*
7
(44)
29
(85)
26
(79)
22
(71)
13
(55)
29
(84)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
0
0
Trace
0
O
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DA YS
1
7
10
3
10
13
AMOUNT
CM (IN)
1.25
(0.49)
0.43
(0.17)
0.25
(0.10)
0.13
(0,05)
0.20
(0.08)
0.23
(0.09)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
0
80
100
0
20
100
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
74.37
(29.28)
73.86
(29.08)
73.94
(29.11)
73.74
(29.03)
73.46
(28.92)
73.91
(29. 10)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
42
33
82
59
49
81
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH IMPH)
5.6
(3.5)
1 .6
(1.0)
3.9
(2.4)
6.8
(4.2)
18.5
(11.5)
2.7
(1.7)
DIRECTION
23
4
27
25
25
29
COMMENTS
Sunny and clear
Sunny, hot and
dry
Hot, humid and
hazy
Clear and sunny
Cool, overcast
Hot, humid and
overcast
O
<£>
-------
MINE SITE GA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location
• Terrain
• Elevation
• Slope
• Area
• Vegetation
Climatology
• Local storms
- Cumberland Plateau, eastern Kentucky
- Steep erosion mountains and valleys
- 244 m (800 ft.) to 488 m (1,600 ft.)
- 33° on ridgetops; 5° in hollows
- 20 Ha (50 A)
- Climax third to fourth generation oak-
maple forest
- Intense thunderstorms avg. 45 days/
• Runoff
• Erosion potential -
• Annual precipitation -
• Local temperature -
• Local precipitation -
Geology
• Strata -
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
• Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Moisture -
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
Minor soils
year
Average annual - 38.1 cm (15 in.)
Severe
122 cm (48 in.)
See Figure 24
See Figure 25
See Table 29 and Figure 26
Lower-Middle Pennsylvanian
Hazard 5A
12,200
1%
10%
6%
- Jefferson-Shelocta-Steinsburg (76%)
- Deep well drained, formed in loamy
colluvium from acid sandstone, silt-
stone and shale
- Rigley, Dekalb, Lily, Wernock,
Allegheny, Pope, Stendal, and
Latham
Mining Technique; Contour Strip
Operations
• Area
• Employees
• Work schedule
. Coal series
2O Ha (50 A)
8O
Two 10-hour shifts, five days/week
Upper Pottsville
110
-------
40-
** 30-
•o
efl
O)
•- 20-
c
O
o
*~* 1O-
1 \J
LU
DC
1- °~
<
DC
LU
Q.
^> - 10-
LU
I—
-20-
*"""* *-
^<""*~ -^ x^'X ""^"-«».
x'*"** "^ ^'^'m.
^'x'
^ff ^^^KT ^
^^ "^^^^ ** * ** ^^^^^* *^ ^^ ^^^ff"™ »
V ^^ ^^^^ J\J ^^*^ '-^fc.
v 'Ts. [^ ^^ ^^ "*^^^B
^ -^"" ^ \^
f^^^i A -A.. ss
V
/ '""*'. •"**+-
....•*'
^'"""* \
LEGEND \
**•«
MAX/MUM
..• •<>- ^ «i A..
^.^ ^^MI^^ IVICfWv •••-..^
..••* /I/T lAIIIUII IK/I
..* IVI I IV I IVI u IVI
*,•*
"Q" DEPARTURE FROM 9 YEAR AVERAGE
-100
-90
- 80
- 70
- 60
- 50
-40
-30
-20
- 10
--10
—
CD
C
(U
(—
(0
LL
o
LU
DC
13
i_
P"
DC
LU
Q.
^£
LU
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 24. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site GA.
-------
15.0-
14.0-
13.0-
«-*
2 12.0-
CD
o 11.0-
.- 10.0-
c
CD 9.0-
o
~ 8.0-
Z 7.0-
o
jl 6.0-
<
f- 5.0-
i -
m 3 fl-
OC 3>0
Q.
2.0-
1.0-
JL
i-*1
/
/
/
/
/
1
/
\ /
N i
^|
1
1
I
\
\
\
\ _
\ _
1
1
I
i
\
1
I
1
i
•
I
•
I
1
\
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
t
f
l
t
/
1
I
1
I A
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
/ \ _ /
i
\
•
\
1
i
f
/
/
/
i
/
/
J '
; *
i
P
_
i
•
\
\
\
: 1 —
I
^ ~F
1
i
•
J_ |
i
i
i
l
7976 TOTAL *
DEPARTURE FROM
I /
i '
; /
| /
r
1
NORMAL
-6.0
-5.0
*-»
CO
CD
-4.0 |
Z
-3.0 O
1-
h-
CL
-2.0 5
LU
DC
Q.
-1.0
-o
TIME
Figure 25. Total precipitation in 1976 by month
for mine site GA.
-------
TABLE 29. OVERBURDEN AT MINE SITE GA
CORE
CHARACTER-
ISTICS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
AVG.
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
THICKNESS
PERCENT
ROCK TYPE
_i
<
O
O
.98
(3.2)
6
1.07
(3.5)
9
.88
(2.9)
6
.85
(2.8)
7
.95
(3.1)
7
1.01
(3.3)
7
1.04
(3.4)
7
.98
(3.2)
6
GRAY
SHALE
4.27
(14)
24
1.83
(6)
16
.31
(1)
2
6.10
(20)
49
1.52
(5)
10
1.52
(5)
11
.61
(2)
5
2.32
(7.6)
15
GRAY
SANDY
SHALE
1.83
(6)
10
2. 13
<7)
19
4.57
(15)
31
— .
-
-
-
-
-
12.50
(41)
88
2.99
(9.8)
19
LIGHT
GRAY
SANDSTONE
10.36
(34)
60
6.40
(21)
56
9. 14
(30)
61
5.49
(18)
44
10.06
(33)
70
11 .58
(38)
82
-
-
7.59
(24 . 9)
48
LIGHT
BLUE
SANDSTONE
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.83
(6)
13
-
-
-
-
1.83
(6.0)
12
TOTAL
17.44
(57.2)
100
11.43
(37 . 5)
100
14.91
(48 . 9)
100
12.44
(40.8)
100
14.36
(47.1)
100
14.11
(46.3)
100
14. 14
(46.4)
100
15.71
(51.5)
100
Thickness is In meters and (feet).
113
-------
METERS FEET
.2 .7
.8 2.5
.2 .5
1.6
.2
2. I
.7
38.0
.8
7.0
2.2
~ —
'.° •-..•: :-'.
t :• :-?•••• --?•
;:•:;.••••":;•;.•;•
• . ~ * , - ..° * *
*•* • 1 * * * * • o. •
0~.° • "•" * " * •*•
- * * ,l% »*. ••
••» .« .••a-i
»"^. * *• '° • *-
• *"i** •** "-V » •
:•.£'/<&::*
*.'"*"» *." _
.'-•.*.:.• •
•0 ••",•«••
" • • * •
;-\"j/-o.*
> •'.".'- ;
O " • " *
• • -C* k
' » " •
.„.-»
. • .•-
_ * . .
- O *
* • •
_ «>. .
,".*%•
• ' - a
• * • *
'» ° •
•J. -
„•.
•^>
"
.' o- *-»«
»*/-»-.
*-0.'«1— ~
'»
,
•
-
HAZARD#6
GRAY SANDY SHALE
HAZARD #6
LEGEND
COAL
GRAY SHALE
GRAY SANDSTONE
LIGHT BLUE SANDSTONE
GRAY SANDY SHALE
GRAY SANDSTONE
GRAY SHALE
GRAY SANDY SHALE
LIGHT BLUE SANDSTONE
HAZARD * 5A
GRAY SANDSTONE
8 SHALE
HAZARD #5A
Figure 26. Typical rock sequence for
mining Hazard #5A.
114
-------
Equipment - See Table 30
Mining Techniques
• Exploration
• Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
• Overburden
. Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
. Trees
• Intended land use
• Seed mixture
Stratigraphic core borings
Diversion ditches sloped into sediment
pond
9 m (30 ft.)
4.5 m (15 ft.) centers
27 cm (10 5/8 in.)
ANFO
Electric cap and delays
Straight rows
- 68 kg (150 lbs.)/hole
- See Table 29
- Front-end loaders and 35 to 50 ton
trucks
- 270,000 metric (300,000 short) tons/
year
- Removed from pit by front-end loaders
and loaded onto trucks
- 32 km (20 miles) round trip
- Utility steam
Cover soil graded back to highwall, by
trucks and dozers
12 Ha (30 A)
Hydroseeder
1625 kg/Ha (1,450 Ibs./A) of 5-10-10
5377 kg/Ha (4,800 Ibs./A) wood fiber
618 pine trees/Ha (250/A) hand planted
Farm use, wildlife habitat, mobile home
site and other similar uses
Rye - 42 kg/Ha (37 Ibs./A)
Wheat - 13 kg/Ha (12 Ibs./A)
Clover - 3 kg/Ha (3 Ibs./A)
Crownvetch - 35 kg/Ha (30 Ibs./A)
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
• Volume
• Slope
• Spoil haulage distance
- 612,000 cubic m (800,000 cubic yds.)
- Sidewalls 22°; hollow floor at toe 2°
- Less than O.4 km (% mile)
115
-------
TABLE 30. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE GA
Equipment
Front-End Loader
Cat 992
Cat 988
Dozers
Cat D-7
Cat D-8
Cat D-9
Kumatsu D-155
Kumatsu D-355
International TD-25
No. of
Pieces
4
1
1
2
5
1
1
1
Capacity
10 1/2 yd.
7 yd.
_
-
-
-
-
—
Age
(Years)
0-2
2
1
0-2
0-2
1
1
3
Condition
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Excellent
Excellent
Good
Pan Scraper
Cat 641
Trucks (off-road)
International 350
Euclid R-50
Cat 773
Cat 769
Trucks (coal)
Mack
11
7T
22T
New
Vary
Excellent
2
2
2
1
SOT
50 T
50T
35 T
2
New
New
1
Fair
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
Road Grader
Cat 12F
Cat 14D
Drills
Ingersol Rand
Chicago Pneumatic
65O
1
1
1
2
6 3/4"
10 5/8"
—
1
2
Good
Good
Good
Good
Hydroseeder
New
Excellent
116
-------
Site Preparation
. Sediment pond
Location
Type
Size
• Erosion control
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
• Underdrainage system
• Spoil placement
• Lift design
• Final fill form
Slope
Area
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Seed mixture
427 m (1,400 ft.) from toe of fill
Rock dam
2,714 cubic m (2.2 ac.-ft.)
Diversion ditches, sediment pond,
and windrowing of grubbed timber
along base of hollow fill
Third-fourth generation oak-maple
Cut and dozered
Windrowed at base of fill
Fractured sandstone french drain
formed by natural segregation
Free-drop from head-of-hollow fill
No lifts
Maximum 20°; 2-5° on top surface
5 Ha (13 A)
- Principal machine: bulldozers
5 Ha (13 A)
1 ,625 kg/Ha (1 ,450 Ibs./A) of 5-10-10
5,436 kg/Ha (4,85O Ibs./A) wood fiber
Annual ryegrass - 42 kg/Ha (38 Ibs./A)
- Clover - 3 kg/Ha (3 Ibs./A)
- Crownvetch - 35 kg/Ha (30 Ibs./A)
- Kentucky 31 fescue - 94 kg/Ha (83 Ibs./A)
- Locust seed - 32 kg/Ha (28 Ibs./A)
Water Quality
• Periodic samples - See Table 31
• Weather condition during collection - See Table 32
MINE SITE IA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location
• Terrain
• Elevation
• Slope
• Area
Cumberland Plateau, eastern Kentucky
Steep erosion valleys and mountains
253 m (830 ft.) to 372 m (1,220 ft.)
38° on sidewalls, 1° on toe of hollow
364 Ha (90O A)
117
-------
TABLE 31. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE
GA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
F
L
U
E
N
T
MONTH
April
June
August
October
November
AVERAGE
I
a.
8.1
6.9
7.3
7.9
6.2
-
ALKALINITY
328
92
102
150
_
136
ACIDITY (HOI
0
0
o
0
4
< 1
TOTAL IRON
1.0
2.6
<.01
.59
. 1
.86
TURBIDITY
25
220
5
25
<5
56
SULFATE
20
260
180
310
8.3
155.7
OT
TOTAL SOLID
680
640
42/1
640
54
488
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
26
150
9
15
2
40
CALCIUM
75
59
45
85
17
56
MAGNESIUM
45
37
35
89
2.5
41 .7
MANGANESE
6.7
2.7
.03
2.4
<.01
2.4
ALUMINUM
.1
,7
<. 1
<. 1
<.1
0.2
COPPER
.05
,0,
•C.01
<.01
<.01
,01
O
N
.08
.09
.12
.16
.08
. 11
CADMIUM
C.01
,.„,
£.01
<.«
<.01
,0,
NICKEL
C.03
<.03
•C.03
<.03
<,03
<.03
DISSOLVED
IRON
.02
,01
C.01
.59
.08
<.,.
^
SPECIFIC
CONDUCTIVIT
(xmhos/cm)
640
630
525
820
50
533
oo
Note: All units mg/l except where noted .
-------
TABLE 32. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE GA
DC
HI
N.
o>
MONTHS
APRIL
JUNE
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
DAILY
MIN.
9
(49)
14
(57)
18
(65)
3
(37)
-4
(24)
12
(54)
DAILY
MAX.
30
(86)
26
(78)
30
(86)
24
(76)
13
(56)
24
(75)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
o
0
0
o
0
0.05
(O.02)
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DA YS
9
2
9
3
9
1
AMOUNT
CM flM
0.23
(0 . 09)
2.13
(0.84)
1 .50
(0.59)
2.87
(1.13)
1.52
(0.6O)
0.28
(0.11)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
50
50
90
0
0
100
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
73.35
(28.88)
73.71
(29.02)
73.84'
(29.07)
73.96
(29.12)
73.33
(28.87)
73.84
(29.07)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
34
54
50
47
37
73
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPHf
10.0
(6.2)
9.3
(5.8)
9.8
(6.1)
10.9
(6.8)
23.3
(14.5)
6.1
(3.8)
DIRECTION
17
17
5
17
21
15
COMMENTS
Hot, dry and
sunny
Humid and
overcast
Hot, humid and
overcast
Clear and sunny
Cold, clear and
sunny
Cloudy, rain
-------
• Vegetation -
Climatology
• Local storms -
• Runoff -
• Erosion potential —
• Annual precipitation -
• Local temperature -
Local precipitation -
Geology
• Strata -
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
• Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
. Ash
Volatile matter -
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
• Minor soils
Mixed Mesophytic, second-third growth
oak-hickory
30 to 50 days/year
38 cm (15 in.)/year
Severe
101 cm (40 in.)/year
See Figure 27
See Figure 28
Sandstone 60%, shale 40%
Lower-Middle Pennsylvanian
Buffalo Creek, Lower and Upper Peach
Orchard, and Lower and Upper Broas
12,500
0.8%
5%
6%
- Jefferson-Shelocta (76%)
- Principally formed from colluvium
- Steinsburg, Pope and Cuba
Mining Technique; Mountaintop Removal
Operations
• Area
• Employees
• Work schedule
• Coal series
Equipment - See Table 33
Mining Techniques
• Exploration
• Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
364 Ha (9OO A)
324
Three 8-hour shifts/day for 356 days/
year
Upper Pottsville-Lower Allegheny
Historical records and stratigraphic
cores
Road berms, diversion ditches, and
sediment ponds
30 m (1OO ft.)
8 or 9 m (26 ft. or 30 ft.) centers
27 cm (10 5/8 in.)
ANFO
Electric cap
Simultaneous rows
120
-------
IVD
40-
•** 30-
•n
^
CO
>_
O)
'- 20-
c
0
O
o
*" 10-
LU
DC
D
I- 0-
<
DC
LU
Q_
"^ -10-
LU
1—
-20-^
j+.^ ^,*'~""m ^^_
^t^' ^--^r,"*' --»^.^ ^
X ""'*---
•x -^
/ +* — *-— ^ "^-^
/' X^ ****^~ ^"^-_
TC> S
^ ^^
^,,^' Xf
jff *** •••^| ^^
S*" A'*** ****. N n
»•** **•«. ^bl
kl^- ••"'* \ v*^
xA \
#* *
*** - *
^t ^M* *
X LEGEND
*•«.
MAXIMUM
•»
^. ^ MEAN A—...
• •• •.«•«•••••••• A/J/ MIKA 1 IRA "••
lyf 1 i\i I ivi u M
7J DEPARTURE FROM 9 YEAR AVERAGE
- 100
- 90
- 80
- 70
- 60
- 50
- 40
-30
- 20
- 10
- 0
--10
— »
•»-•
0>
.c
c
CD
x:
co
LL
o
LU
DC
D
DC
LU
Q.
LU
h-
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 27. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site IA.
-------
10
IV)
15.0-
14.0-
13.0-
*£ 12.0-
O
o 11.0-
.§ 10.0-
+-I
C
,
: t
; /
\ m
\ to
\ t
s /
s f
\ ,
1
S
S
\
t
/
N/
9
•i
1
s
s
s
\
m
i
1
1
1 -
t
\
\
\
- \
\
\
\
\
1
T '
l
" i
s •
; /
^ /
1
S •
x '
r
i
s,
%
•» \
\
: \
s \
\
\
: \
\
v
v
s
\
^
LEGEND
~— 7976 TOTAL
M
j
*
/
/
•
•
i
I
\
\
I "I
t
\
\
1
1
t
1
*
t
I
I
L I
1
1
t
•
1
1
"0" DEPARTURE FROM b
» \
^ s
* s
^ ^
* \
1 }
S j
\ to
\ /
f
, *
s r
1
9 YEAR AVERAGE
-6.0
-5.0
***
CO
0
-4.0 g
l 1
N> CO
b b
'RECIPITATION
Q.
-1.0
-o
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY
JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV.
TIME
DEC.
Figure 28. Total precipitation in 1976 by month
for mine site IA.
-------
TABLE 33. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE IA
Equipment
Front-End Loaders
Dart D600
Cat 992
Cat 988
Huff 400
Trucks (off-road)
Mack Unit Haul
Mack Unit Haul
International
Payhaulers
Dozers
Cat D-9
Cat D-8
Cat D-6
Cat D-120
No. of
Pieces
3
1
2
1
12
3
8
Capacity
12 yd
10 yd
8 yd
10 yd
100 T
50 T
Age
(Years)
2
3
5
2
2
2
2
Condition
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
5
9
1
2
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Shovels
Marion
Marion
O&K Shovel RH60
(German)
Drills
Robbins RT6C
Robbins RRII
Horizontal
Airtrack (truck mtd)
Coal Haulers
Goodbary
Chevrolet C90
3
2
2
1
3
4
5
9"
9"
10 5/8"
25 T
Varies
1
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
Miscellaneous
Water truck
Cat Scraper 14F
Cat Scraper 14G
2 10,000 gal,
"1 —
2
123
-------
Explosive toad - 33 kg (72 Ibs.)
Overburden - Seven benches compose a total 93 m
(305 ft.) of principally sandstone and shale
Spoil transport - Shovels and trucks used for transport -
less than one mile to deposition sites
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation - To date
— 0.9-1 .4 million metric (1-1 .5 million
short) tons/year
- Shovels, loaders and large haul trucks
- Approximately two miles from pit to prep
plant
- Utility steam
no reclamation efforts have been initiated.
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
- Volume -
- Slope -
Spoil haulage distance -
Site Preparation
Sediment ponds
Location -
Type
• Erosion control
. Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation -
Removal method -
Disposition -
Fill Construction
Underdrainage system -
• Spoil placement -
Lift design -
• Final fill form
Slope
Reclamation
26 million cubic m (34 million cubic
Yds.)
Sidewalls 35°-38°; 5° at toe of hollow
1.6 km (1 mile)
Two on site; one at toe of advancing
fill, another about 300 m (1,000 ft.)
from proposed final toe
First pond - excavation silt; second
pond - rock dam
Second-third growth Mesophytic
forest
Cut and grubbed
Wind rowed at base of fill
Fractured sandstone and shale french
drain formed by natural segregation
Free—dumped
One large lift
- Maximum 2O°
Reclamation efforts have not as yet been initiated at
this site.
Water Quality
. Periodic samples - See Table 34
• Weather condition during collection - See Table 35
124
-------
TABLE 34. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE
lA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
L
u
N
T
I
N
F
L
U
N
T
MONTH
April
June
August
October
November
AVERAGE
August
November
AVERAGE
I
a
6.5
6.9
7.2
7.2
7.4
~
6.9
7.1
~"
ALKALINITY
24
34
74
48
80
52
80
112
96
ACIDITY (HOT)
2
O
0
0
0
< 1
0
0
o
TOTAL IRON
2.0
1 .8
.45
.79
3.6
1 .73
.44
.67
.56
TURBIDITY
250
80
10
85
15
88
10
370
19O
SULFATE
85
265
250
160
18O
188
250
220
235
TOTAL SOLIDS
1260
590
676
480
466
694
738
793
766
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
275
5O
6
60
18
82
22
291
156
CALCIUM
87
8O
55
50
107
86
57
107
82
MAGNESIUM
103
39
43
44
43
54
45
39
42
MANGANESE
2.5
2.9
3.0
1 .5
2.8
2.5
3.2
2.2
2.7
ALUMINUM
1 .0
.8
<.1
.2
1 .9
.8
.3
.3
.3
COPPER
C.01
<.01
<.o,
<.01
,„,
<.01
<.01
<.01
£.01
O
z
N
.12
.20
. 12
.14
.24
.16
.04
.24
, 14
CADMIUM
C.01
<.o-\
,0,
<.01
,.0,
<.01
<.01
<.01
£.01
NICKEL
.02
.08
.06
C.03
.06
.06
.07
.05
.06
DISSOLVED
IRON
.02
<.01
C.01
.74
.05
< . 17
C.01
.77
1 .39
SPECIFIC
CONDUCTIVITY
(M.ni hot/cm)
1650
700
870
610
60O
886
925
710
818
Note: All units mg/1 except where noted.
-------
TABLE 35. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE IA
DC
<
111
>-
to
f-
O)
T-
h-
I*.
03
MONTHS
APRIL
JUNE
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
DAILY
MIN.
8
(46)
14
(58)
16
(61)
2
(35)
-6
(22)
7
(44)
DAILY
MAX.
32
(90)
24
(76)
31
(87)
18
(64)
12
(54)
28
(82)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
1 .14
(0.45)
0.56
(0.22)
0
0
0
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DAYS
20
1
7
2
4
12
AMOUNT
CM (IN)
1.52
(0.60)
2.03
(0 . 80)
0.13
(0.05)
4.37
(1.72)
0.05
(0.02)
0.91
(0.36)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
60
10O
50
50
90
100
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
73.86
(29.08)
73.96
(29.12)
74.1 1
(29 . 1 8)
74.47
(29.32)
74.50
(29 . 33)
74.19
(29.21)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
41
87
51
50
40
34
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPH)
13.7
(8.5)
5.2
(3.2)
4.8
(30)
3.1
(1.9)
14.0
(8.7)
2.9
(1.8)
DIRECTION
27
35
6
11
30
7
COMMENTS
Sunny, hot and
humid
Warm, humid and
overcast
Hot, humid and
hazy
Clear and cool
Fair and cold
Hot and overcast
ro
0)
-------
MINE SITE KA
Physical Description
Topography
• Location -
« Terrain -
• Elevation -
• Slope -
• Area -
• Vegetation -
Climatology
• Local storms -
• Runoff -
• Erosion potential -
• Annual precipitation -
• Local temperature -
• Local precipitation -
Geology
• Strata
• Age of formation -
• Coal seams -
• Coal quality (average)
BTU
Sulfur
Ash
Moisture -
Pedology
• Major soil association
• Description
• Minor soils
Mining Technique: Contour Strip
Cumberland Plateau, eastern Kentucky
Steep narrow erosion valleys and
mountains
335 m (1,100 ft.) to 472 m (1,550 ft.)
31° on sidewalls, 8° on toe of hollow
4 Ha (9 A)
Third or fourth generation oak-maple
Intense thunderstorms average 45 days/
year
41 cm (16 in.)/year
Severe
122 cm (48 in.)
See Figure 29
See Figure 30
Sandstone, shale, siltstone and fire
clay
Lower-Middle Pennsylvanian
Hazard #7, #8, and #9
#7
1 1 , 500
0.8%
14%
6%
#8
10,500
0.6-0.8%
18-20%
5%
#9
1 1 , 500
0.8-1.3%
14%
6%
Jefferson-Shelocta (76%)
Deep, well drained, formed from
loamy colluvium from acid sand-
stone, siltstone and shale
Rigley, Dekalb, Lily, Wernock,
Allegheny, Pope, Stendal and Latham
Operations
. Area
. Employees
. Work schedule
. Coal series
4 Ha (9 A)
24
Two 10-hour shifts/day, five days weekly
Upper Pottsville
127
-------
00
40-
*- 30-
0)
T>
CO
1 20-
c
0)
0
o
** 10-
III
DC
K 0-
cc
HI
Q_
Sg -10-
LLI
•
p—
-20-
^ ^,* ^^
S''' ^~^~^m,,""~"mf' ^'^•-•v
X
x'x "^"--^
>' x ^*TH~ *"*"-•*.
./ —S ^*^ -•
•* ^x \
-^^""' \TT
^ — ^^ ...^ Mj
xxfl" '•••4.> *»N
/if / "\ Ss-¥x% T
•r .•••* **%
«••" •.
^ "it* *\^
LEGEND
X
A* MAXIMUM
••'* *••
.«•* ."../-if. — • _^
•* •••••••••••••••. AAllillHAItHJI
^ MINIMUM
"0" DEPARTURE FROM 9 YEAR AVERAGE
-100
-90
- 80
- 70
-60
- 50
-40
-30
- 20
- 10
- 0
--10
^
flj
\w
c
CD
_
0}
LL
o
HI
DC
15
^~
DC
lil
D_
2
LU
1-
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 29. Temperature records in 1976 by month
for mine site KA.
-------
17.0-
16.0-
15.0-
14.0-
0^ 13.0—
(0
0 12.0-
4-1
® 11.0-
~ 10.0-
c
0)
Q 9.0-
^,
8.0-
z
o 7-°-
t 5.0-
CL
O 4.0-
UJ
CC 3.0-
Q_
2.0-
1.0-
n-
I
\
\
\
\
\
\ "I
\
\
\
\
\
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i -1
T /
11
l
i
i
*
/
/
> |
1 /
I /
1 /
* 1 -
1 /
I
I
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
T
1 \
\
\ T \ 1
\ -T
1
1
1
1
1
\
\
\
\
\
\
T 1 \
1 \
1 \
t \
1 \
1 \
1 \
t
/
t
t
/-
f
1
1
1
j LEGEND
'
f 1976 TOTAL
j
f
i
t
t
i
i
\
i
\
i
•
\
\ -j
\ -
\
i
t
i
\
•
•
t
i
i
,
/
f
/
/
i
T DEPARTURE FROM NORMAL
-7.0
-6.0
-5.0
CO
CD
-C
o
-4.0 £
^^
-3.0 |
E
-2.0 O
LU
QC
Q.
-1.0
-0
JAN. FEB. MAR, APR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
TIME
Figure 3O. Total precipitation in 1976 by month
for mine site KA.
-------
Equipment - See Table 36
Mining Techniques
• Exploration
• Erosion control
• Drilling and blasting
Drill depth
Drill hole spacing
Drill hole size
Type explosive
Type detonation
Detonation pattern
Explosive load
• Overburden
• Spoil transport
• Coal removal
Production
Method
Haulage
Market
Reclamation
• Regrading
• Revegetation
Area
Method
Fertilizer
Mulch
• Trees
• Intended land use
• Seed mixture
- Stratigraphic cores
- Diversion ditches toward sediment
pond, as well as a box cut around
mined area
-7m (24ft.)
- 2.4 m (8 ft.) centers
- 17 cm (6 3/4 in.)
- ANFO
- Electric cap and delays
- Simultaneous rows
- 57 kg (125 lbs.)/hole (average) with
some chambering
- Acidic
- Front-end loaders - 35 ton trucks
- 272,000 metric (300,000 short) tons/
year
- Front-end loaders - 25 ton coal haulers
- 3.2 km (2 miles) to utility company
- Utility steam
Cover material graded back into strip
bench by bulldozer
4 Ha (9 A)
Hydroseeded
20-40-0
1682 to 3361 kg/Ha (1,500 to 3,000 Ibs./A)
wood fiber
1976 pine and locust trees/Ha (800/A) hand
planted
Wildlife habitat
Kentucky 31 fescue - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
Ryegrass - 17 kg/Ha (1 5 Ibs./A)
Lespedeza - 35 kg/Ha (30 Ibs./A)
Crownvetch - 35 kg/Ha (30 Ibs./A)
Head-of-Hollow Fill
Fill Description
• Volume - 131,OOO cubic m (171,000 cubic yds.)
• Slope - 21° on sidewalls; 5° at toe
13O
-------
TABLE 36. EQUIPMENT USED AT MINE SITE KA
Equipment
Front-End Loaders
Cat 988
Cat 988
Michigan 475
Truck (off-road)
Euclid R35
No. of
Pieces
Capacity
5% yd3
5^ yd3
9 yd3
35 T
Age
(Years)
1
3
6
Condition
Good
Good
Fair
Good
Dozers
Cat D-9
Cat D-8
3
1
14'
14'
2
6
Good
Poor
Drills
Chicago
Pneumatic 65O
Robbins RD 16
6 3/4"
6 3/4"
Fair
Fair
Grader
Cat 12
12'
Good
Trucks (coal haulers)
Mack 25 T 5
• Spoil haulage distance
Site Preparation
• Sediment pond
Location
Type
Size
• Erosion control
• Clearing and grubbing
Type vegetation
Removal method
Disposition
Fill Construction
• Underdrainage system
25 T Good
- Less than 0.8 km (^ mile)
- Approximately 15 m (50 ft.) below toe
- Earthen dam with standpipe
- Surface area 0. 15 Ha (0.38 A);
capacity 987 cubic m (0.8 ac.-ft.)
- Diversion ditches directed toward
sediment pond, and windrowed check
dam
- Oak-maple forest
- Cut and grubbed with bulldozers
- Windrowed
- Fractural sandstone french drain
formed by natural segregation
131
-------
• Spoil placement
• Lift design
• Final fill form
Slope
Area
Reclamation
• Regrading -
— Free dumped from head of fill
- Two lifts - first, 27 m above toe of fill;
second, 12m above toe
- Head of fill 1 to 5°, maximum outslope 20°
- 3 Ha (7.7 A)
D-9 dozer, cleat tracks left remaining as seed
traps
Revegetation
Area
Fertilizer
Mulch
Seed mixture -
3 Ha (7.7 A)
20-40-O
1682 to 3361 kg/Ha (1,500 to 3,OOO Ibs./A)
wood fiber
Kentucky 31 fescue - 27 kg/Ha (25 Ibs./A)
- Ryegrass - 17 kg/Ha (15 Ibs./A)
- Serecia Lespedeza - 35 kg/Ha (3O Ibs./A)
- Crownvetch - 35 kg/Ha (30 Ibs./A)
Water Quality
Periodic samples - See Table 37
. Weather condition during collection - See Table 38
132
-------
TABLE 37. WATER QUALITY AT MINE SITE
KA'S SEDIMENT POND
SOURCE
E
F
F
L
U
N
T
MONTH
April
I
a
7.4
I
June ; o . '~
Auguc:
October
November
AVERAGE
ALKALINITY
52
7O
7.5
7.5
7.5
"
284
94
228
146
CIDITY (HOI
<
0
o
2
0
6
<2
Z
O
gc
o
\-
.48
3.0
1 .7
1 .2
4.4
2.2
TURBIDITY
70
150
5
30
<5
52
SULFATE
70
300
70
240
280
192
CO
o
-i
o
CO
i-
O
i-
240
625
502
490
688
509
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
65
150
8
20
4
49
CALCIUM
30
59
58
63
120
b6
MAGNESIUM
20
39
51
61
96
53
VIANGANESE
.02
2.5
18.0
2.4
71 .0
18.8
ALUMINUM
1.2
1 .5
<.1
.1
C.1
<.6
COPPER
,0,
<.01
<.01
<.o,
< 01
<.05
O
Z
N
.01
.10
.01
.16
.02
.06
CADMIUM
,0,
<.O1
<.OI
,0,
< 01
< .05
NICKEL
<.03
<.03
C.O3
<.03
<.03
<.03
DISSOLVED
IRON
.15
£.01
<.01
1.2
.01
<.28
V
SPECIFIC
ONDUCTIVir
(xmhoi/cm)
O
275
650
720
610
920
635
u>
U)
Note: All units rng/l except where noted.
-------
TABLE 38. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS DURING WATER
QUALITY SAMPLING PERIODS AT MINE SITE KA
oc
HI
CD
0)
T"
T"
MONTHS
APRIL
JUNE
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
APRIL
TEMPERATURE
0 C <° F)
OAILY
MIN.
9
(49)
11
(52)
18
(64)
3
(38)
-3
(26)
11
(52)
OAILY
MAX.
31
(87)
26
(79)
3O
(86)
18
(64)
18
(64)
28
(83)
PREC.
DURING
DAY OF
VISIT
CM (IN)
0
0
0
0
0
0
PRECIPITATION
PRIOR TO
SITE VISIT
NO. DAYS
1
7
10
3
8
14
AMOUNT
CM UN)
1 .25
(0.49)
0.43
(0.17)
0.25
(0.10)
0.13
(0.05)
0.30
(0.12)
4.95
(1.95)
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
20
10O
50
0
20
90
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
73.43
(28.91)
73.74
(29.03)
73.79
(29.05)
74.14
(29.19)
73.46
(28.92)
73.84
(29. 07)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
37
60
55
59
49
52
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (UPH)
4.8
(3.0)
2.1
(1.3)
1 .9
(1.2)
0.5
(0.3)
18.5
(11.5)
1 .3
(0.8)
DIRECTION
26
25
2
31
25
18
COMMENTS
Dry, Hot, Sunny
Humid and
overcast
Warm, humid,
partially ovei —
cast
Clear and sunny
Clear, sunny and
cold
Hot and
overcast
CO
-tk
-------
SECTION 7
DISCUSSION OF STUDY FINDINGS
Although all mine sites were operated in accordance with current
rules, regulations and guidelines for their respective states, the following
discussion and Tables 39, 40, 41, and 42 illustrate some of the problems
associated with various mining procedures and site specific physical condi-
tions. Illustrations are presented to show concepts and are not necessarily
from the mine sites studied.
MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL
The mountaintop removal technique was developed for total resource
recovery, thus eliminating wasted coal trapped under an "applecore"
(Figure 31). Total resource recovery results in a flat mountaintop area
with increased land use potential (Figure 32).
After mining permits have been granted for the site, sediment con-
trol structures are placed in each watershed disturbed by the mining opera-
tion. The most widely used structure is the excavated pond (Figure 33);
however, a gabion dam (Figure 34) is as effective, but generally requires
more labor and expense to construct.
Upon completion of these environmental safeguards, the site is pre-
pared for mining by clearing and grubbing the area of all organic material
(Figure 35). Frequently windrowed at the head of the sediment ponds
(Figure 36), this vegetation acts as a filter, screening out some sediment
and detritus. All water from the disturbed mining area, including haul
roads, is diverted through these sediment structures.
There are many methods and types of equipment employed to re-
move a mountaintop. The choice depends on site specific conditions pre-
viously discussed. The most common equipment used in small to medium
size mines is the front-end loader/truck combination. Figure 37 illustrates
such a system in operation. As the mine size increases, large equipment
becomes necessary; Figure 38 shows the power shovel/truck combination
135
-------
TABLE 39. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINING IN
WEST VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY
Site Preparation
Advantages
D isadvantages
Mining Operation
Advantages
Disadvantages
Sediment control structures are built in each
drainage basin affected by the mining prior to
any land disturbance.
Storm runoff diversion ditches are constructed
and maintained during the entire mining opera-
tion.
Site clearing and grubbing is accomplished
just ahead of the mining.
Large areas are affected requiring more ero-
sion and silt controls to be utilized and main-
tained
In Kentucky a 4.6 meter (15 foot) outcrop bar-
rier must be maintained around the mountaintop
site, which protects the surrounding environ-
ment from uncontrolled storm runoff and acid
mine drainage.
Total resource recovery is accomplished with
minimal adverse environmental impact.
Ultimate land use potential is significantly
increased.
Final land form configuration has greater flexi-
bility and variability.
Mountaintop removal sites offer greater poten-
tial for animal habitat enhancement and manage-
ment than conventional contour strip mine sites.
In West Virginia an outcrop barrier is not re-
quired making control of water difficult; how-
ever, all runoff by law is to drain through a
sediment control structure.
Large areas are disturbed before reclamation
136
-------
TABLE 39. (CONT'D.) ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINING
IN WEST VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY
begins, which increases the possibility of
environmental problems.
• Dust control is difficult primarily because of
land being disturbed before vegetation is
accomplished.
• Occassionally a mountaintop mine site is aban-
doned before the total ridge is removed leaving
an unsightly and sometimes environmentally
disruptive "applecore".
• Numerous and/or large mountaintop removal
sites could have a significant impact on the
local ecology, if reclamation does not consider
the alteration the mining has made to the local
animal habitat.
• Extensive use of head-of-hollow fill disposal
sites in conjunction with mountaintop removal
to create level land (as opposed to varied
reclamation schemes) could destroy the pre-
sent aesthetic beauty effected by visual diver-
sity.
137
-------
TABLE 40. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
WEST VIRGINIA'S HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
FILL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
Site Selection
Advantages
Disadvantages
Site Preparation
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fill Construction
Advantages
Fill site by law is not to contain any wet areas
or underground mine openings.
Distance from the toe of the fill to sediment
pond is often excessive.
Reclamation laws require all vegetation to be
removed from fill area.
Sediment control structures are built in each
affected hollow prior to any land disturbance
or mining.
Clearing and grubbing is completed for the
entire fill zone even if the construction will
take years to complete, leaving area prone
to severe erosion.
Trees are often windrowed too close to toe of
Till and are occasionally covered with spoil.
Placed rock core along natural dendritic sys-
tem provides assured drainage of most internal
waters.
Fill construction begins at the toe of the fill,
which permits revegetation as lifts are com-
pleted reducing erosion potential.
Hollow Till provides an environmentally sound
disposal method for excessive spoil.
Spoil is trucked to and placed in Till in restricted
lifts resulting in good compaction.
Present construction criteria is directed toward
assuring stability in "worst case" conditions.
138
-------
TABLE 4O. (CONT'D.) ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF WEST VIRGINIA'S HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
FILL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
• Rock core provides a none rod ible path for
water diverted from the mining operation.
• FLU benches interrupt surface water runoff,
thereby reducing erosion potential of the steep
fill outslopes.
• Fill benches slope toward fill mass (3 - 5%)
and core, keeping most water off outslope face.
• Directing all surface water through the rock
core drainage system appears to have a filtering
effect, thereby limiting the suspended solids
concentration of drainage entering the sediment
pond.
• Under most circumstances, sediment control
structures effectively remove eroded solids.
Disadvantages • Surge ponds frequently retain water causing fill
instability problems.
• When the rock core is elevated above level of
fill bench, clogging occurs at fill/core inter-
face resulting in erosion of fill face.
• Easily weathered rock is occasionally used in
the core which can cause clogging and malfunc-
tion of the drainage system.
• Occassionally wet areas are found within the fill
and means of drainage to the core are not pro-
vided resulting in an unstable zone in the fill.
• Little effort is expended on blending the fill side
walls with the undisturbed ground in the hollow
which can result in severe erosion ditches.
. present construction criteria makes no pro-
visions for other than "worst case" conditions.
• Hauling all material to the active fill bench and
placement in restricted lifts is tremendously
expensive and is not always warranted where
geologic conditions are conducive to alternate
construction techniques such as side dumping.
• There is no upper size limit for rock being
placed in the core which can result in malfunc-
tion of the underdrain if extremely large rocks
are used, particularly in the initial stages of
construction.
139
-------
TABLE 40. (CONT'D.) ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF WEST VIRGINIA'S HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
FILL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
The chimney type rock core extends to the
surface of the fill restricting ultimate land
use of the sLte.
Directing all surface water through the fill
site could result in massive failure of the uncon-
solidated fill mass if the rock core drainage sys-
tem failed to function properly.
140
-------
TABLE 41. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
KENTUCKY'S HEAD-OF-HOLLOW FILL
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
Site Selection
Advantages
D L sad vantag es
Site Preparation
Advantages
Disadvantages
• The slope of the hollow at the proposed toe of
fill is not to exceed 10°.
• Distance between toe of fill and sediment con-
trol structure is occasionally excessive.
• All organic matter must be removed from fill
area.
• Sediment control structures are installed before
disturbing the watershed.
• Construction area around sediment pond is not
always revegetated after installation resulting
in an abnormally high silt load in the stream
below pond.
• Poor quality control in construction of rock
dams causing inefficient operation of settling
pond and higher solids (suspended and total)
concentrations downstream.
Fill Construction
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Hollow fills provide an environmentally more
desirable disposal method than previously used
in Kentucky.
• When the fill spoil is pushed down every 48
hours it is compacted and shear planes are
altered; however, this causes problems in the
proper formation of the underdrain system.
(See Figures 8 and 9.)
• The construction technique does not permit
segregation of easily weatherable rock from
141
-------
TABLE 41. (CONT'D.) ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF KENTUCKY'S HEAD-OF-HOLLOW FILL
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
durable rock in the underdrain.
• If the fill is pushed down to 20° every 48 hours
fine grained spoil is mixed with the large rock
of the underdrain increasing clogging and inef-
ficiency of this drain.
• Due to the magnitude of many of these opera-
tions, massive lifts can result between push-
downs, thereby seriously limiting compaction
of the fill mass .
• If the spoil is not pushed down frequently,
compaction is obtained only on the surface,
increasing the potential of tension cracks and
slides.
• All surface water runoff must pass through a
sediment control structure, normally found at
the toe of the fill. This in itself is good; how-
ever, water running over the unconsolidated
fill causes severe erosion requiring frequent
repair and regrading of these surface drainways,
• Benching of the fill outslope is generally not re-
quired. Long uninterrupted slopes are thus
formed which easily erode until revegetation
(which is not initiated until after fill comple-
tion) is established.
142
-------
TABLE 42. AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSOCIATED
WITH HEAD-OF-HOLLOW FILLS
CONSTRUCTION
ELEMENTS
SITE
SELECTION
SITE
PREPARATION
SEDIMENT POND
CONSTRUCTION
F
1
L
L
C
O
N
S
T
R
U
C
T
1
O
N
WEST
VIRGINIA
KENTUCKY
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM AREAS
1 , Springs or wet areas within fill zone.
2, Steep slopes at proposed fill.
3. Long distances between fill toe and sediment pond.
1 , Trees not cut and removed from within fill zone.
S. Surface organic material not removed.
1 . Construction area around sediment pond
not revegetated.
2. Poor quality control in construction of rock
structures.
1 . Easily weathered rock used in core drain.
2. Core clogs at fill bench intercept.
3. Erosion between sides of fill and original ground.
4. Wet areas not drained into core.
5. No upper size limit on core rock.
1 . Easily weathered rock used in underdraln.
2. Fine grained spoil mixed with underdraln.
3. Insufficient compaction of fill spoil.
4. Severe surface erosion.
5, Rill erosion of fill face.
MAGNITUDE
OF
PROBLEM
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
Severe
Moderate
Severe
Severe
Minor
Minor
Severe
Minor
to
Severe
Severe
Severe
Moderate
to
Severe ©
Minor
SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
1 . Pick a different hollow.
2. Provide secondary drains to main underdrain.
3. Provide rock blanket
1 . Pick a better location.
2 . Use a keyway cut at toe .
3. Install rock buttress at toe
4. Utilize thin lifts and additional compaction
Move pond closer to fill toe.
Cut and windrow or burn trees.
Grade and seed immediately after construction
of pond.
Closer control of rock size and placement during
construction .
Closer supervision and rock selection.
Closer construction supervision.
Blend fill side slope into original surface.
Construction of lateral drains to core.
Establish upper limit for rock size.
Placement of selected rock underdrain
Modify current construction practices
(see discussion section VII)
Modify current construction practices
(see discussion section VII)
1 . Divert water away from fill surface.
2, Provide a non-erodable surface for water to
flow across .
Reduce length of fill face by adding
diversion benches.
RELATIVE
COST TO
ELIMINATE
PROBLEM®
High
Moderate
Moderate
to
High
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
to
Moderate
Low
Low
High
Low
High
High
Moderate
Moderate
to
High
Low
CO
©Relative additional cost in relation
to current practices
©Depending on spoil composition and
intended land use
-------
Figure 31. Applecore.
Figure 32. Mountaintop site.
144
-------
Figure 33. Excavated pond.
Figure 34. Gabion dam.
145
-------
Figure 35. Clearing and
grubbing a mine site.
Figure 36. Windrowed
vegetation.
Figure 37. Loader/truck
combination.
146
-------
Figure 38. Power shovel/truck combination.
at work. Pan scrapers (Figure 39) are utilized in combination with some
overburden removal systems provided the material is compatible. Drag-
lines (Figure 40) are used least frequently; generally, only large multi-
seam mines with associated higher overburden ratios can afford the capital
expenditure. Prior to any overburden removal, the immediate mining area
must be drilled and blasted to reduce the consolidated substrate into
particle sizes that the selected removal equipment can handle. A typical
mine blast was photographed and is presented in Figure 41 .
Most West Virginia and Kentucky operations work under two ex-
tremes: mud up to axles or dust knee deep. The dust presents not only an
environmental problem but also one of health and safety for the miners,
Dust is controlled by watering the haul roads on a regular basis (Figure 42).
An extensive air quality monitoring assessment will be completed during
the course of this study to more accurately define the air pollution potential
of mountaintop removal mining. This information will be presented in the
final report.
Frequently, the land is not owned by the company doing the mining.
Reclamation is, therefore, directed towards meeting state reclamation laws
and not future land use. Figure 43 shows a mountaintop lake which will be
used for recreation after mining is completed; this land form was possible
because the mining company owned the land and planned for its ultimate use
early in the mine development.
147
-------
Figure 39. Pan scraper.
-* *
Figure 4O. Dragline.
148
-------
Figure 41. Typical blasting.
Figure 42. Dust control.
149
-------
Figure 43. Mountaintop lake.
Basically, there are relatively few adverse environmental impacts
associated with mountaintop removal mining, particularly when conducted
in conjunction with a well designed and constructed head-of-hollow fill.
However, severe impacts result when mine economics force premature
closure of the operation. The most commonly employed mountaintop re-
moval mining technique is a series of contour cuts which continue around
the mountain until all overburden and coal have been removed. If carried
to completion, this results in total recovery of the coal seam and reclama-
tion of the site to a gently rolling terrain which is generally compatible with
a higher land use. However, with the characteristic instability of the coal
industry caused by widely fluctuating coal prices, the operation becomes
increasingly susceptible to closure as overburden to coal ratios increase.
Thus, many operations are abandoned before total elimination of the moun-
taintop is effected, leaving exposed highwalls and unmined coal. Ultimate-
ly, this results in one of two undesirable situations:
1. The creation of unsightly "applecores", or isolated mountaintops
completely surrounded by highwall (Figure 31).
2. Burial of coal reserves as overburden is replaced around these
"applecores" and regraded to conform to acceptable reclamation
standards. These areas are then subject to later disturbance as
coal economics improve and it becomes feasible to mine the
untapped coal.
150
-------
Modifying the mining scheme is one method of reducing the probabil-
ity of premature closure, and the possibility of aesthetic or environmental
degradation resulting from unreclaimed land. Under present conditions, if
economics dictate mine closure, it comes at a time when the operator can
least afford reclamation; consequently, reclamation quality suffers and,
under extreme conditions, the site may be abandoned without reclamation.
Cross-ridge mining is a type of mountaintop removal which can greatly
reduce the potential of these harmful impacts. In this method, the highwall
is oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the ridge. The initial cut may
be through a low point in the ridge or it may begin at one end. Because
mining progresses across the ridge, this method combines removal of "low
cost" outcrop coal (low stripping ratio) with removal of "high cost" centei—
of-the-ridge coal (high stripping ratio). Consequently, each block being
removed represents an average stripping ratio. Although the initial costs
are higher than in conventional mountaintop removal, profits, as well as
coal production, will be fairly consistent throughout the entire operation.
In some cases if a high profit is required early due to high mine site prep-
aration costs, the initial cut could be in a contour method with subsequent
cuts following the cross-ridge method. As a result of the fairly uniform
stripping ratio, the economics are much more stable and predictable.
Thus, cross-ridge operations have more promise of going to completion,
with total recovery of coal and minimal environmental impacts.
In this method, reclamation is an integral part of the mine plan and
is carried out concurrently with the mining operation. As mining proceeds
through the ridge, the overburden is backstacked on the bench. In this
manner, the mining and reclamation operations are confined to one area,
and occur simultaneously. This increases efficiency because equipment
and manpower are concentrated in one area.
Another adverse environmental impact that could result from "un-
planned" mountaintop removal is destruction of the aesthetic environment.
Individual mine operators, unaware of other operators' mining and recla-
mation plans, may consciously strive to create usable level land. Un-
fortunately, the cumulative effects of many such operations could change
the rustic beauty of the terrain into ranges of visually monotonous leveled
mountaintops. It must be emphasized that, while a certain amount of
leveled mountaintop land is a highly desirable reclamation goal, develop-
ment potential throughout much of this area is inherently low. It makes
little sense to create unlimited developable land in an area where it is not
required at the expense of the innate beauty of the region. This is not to
say that the area should not be mined or that the adverse environmental
impacts of surface mining in these regions are insurmountable or irrevoca-
ble, for this is certainly not the case. The point here is that more empha-
sis should be placed on the regional or total environmental implications of
151
-------
a specific reclamation plan. By considering the total environment, the
reclamation plan can sculpture the land to a form that harmonizes with the
surrounding environment while reflecting and expressing the function or
after-use of the site.
HEAD-OF-HOLLOW FILL
Utilization of the head-of-hollow fill waste disposal method enhances
the value and potential land use of a reclaimed mine site. West Virginia
and Kentucky have taken two rather different approaches in head-of-hollow
fill construction, as previously discussed. Supporting the old proverb, "a
picture is worth a thousand words", Figures 44 and 45 show a typical West
Virginia and Kentucky fill, respectively.
In West Virginia, the rock core drain is continuously constructed
just ahead of the fill as shown in Figure 46. Final elevation of the core with
respect to the fill mass is dependent on their relative consolidation ratio,
type of core material (weatherability), and the reclamation law under which
it was constructed. An elevated core is pictured in Figure 47, with a
depressed core shown in Figure 48.
*•
Figure 44. West Virginia hollow fill.
152
-------
Figure 45. Kentucky hollow fill.
Figure 46. Rock core drain construction.
153
-------
Figure 47. Elevated rock core.
Figure 48. Depressed rock core.
154
-------
Spoil in Kentucky fills is placed by side dumping or end dumping
(Figure 49) from the head of the hollow. Erosion and fill stability are of
great concern to the miners during construction and early stages of revege-
tation. During spoil deposition, the stability of a fill must be carefully
monitored; generally, unstable areas will first develop tension cracks, then
begin to settle as shown in Figure 50.
•••„.,-•
Figure 49. Kentucky fill placement by end-dumping.
The steep outslopes (26°) of West Virginia fills can be easily eroded
prior to the establishment of a good vegetative cover (Figure 51). Out-
slopes in Kentucky fills (20°) are even more susceptible to these forces
(Figure 52) than West Virginia slopes, for two basic reasons:
• long uninterrupted slopes (Figure 53)
inability to revegetate slopes until the entire fill has been com-
pleted
A few reclamation specialists, on their own initiative, have managed to
reduce erosion potential of these long slopes by cutting a narrow bench (10°
downgrade) across the fill face (Figure 54). This is accomplished during
the final grading prior to applying the seed mixture. Benching provides an
additional benefit, making it feasible for a hydroseeder to be driven down
the fill face, thus enabling the entire fill surface to be hydroseeded. This
is not always possible in the steep terrain of eastern Kentucky.
155
-------
Figure 5O. Slip area in hollow fill.
Figure 51. Erosion of outslope in West Virginia.
156
-------
Figure 52. Erosion of hollow fill in Kentucky.
-
Figure 53. Long uninterrupted outslope in a Kentucky fill.
157
-------
Figure 54. Kentucky fill outslope benched for erosion protection.
Final grading and application of the seed mixture is generally
accomplished by dozers (Figure 55) and hydroseeders (Figure 56). The
revegetated mine site and hollow fill will develop good ground cover after
1 or 2 growing seasons (Figures 57 and 58).
*
^33
f-'f y
Figure 55. Regrading a hollow fill.
158
-------
Figure 56. Revegetating by hydroseeder.
I
Figure 57. Revegetated mountaintop site.
159
-------
I I
Figure 58. Revegetated head-of-hollow fill.
Considerable time and money is expended by mining companies in
West Virginia and Kentucky to prevent erosion and water quality degrada-
tion. Evaluation of these problems is made by sampling the influent and
effluent drainage of sediment control ponds. Continuous flow and water
sampling equipment can be used for this monitoring task (Figures 59 and
6p).
MINE SITE OBSERVATIONS
To obtain the broadest representation of mining practices, mine
sites were chosen in various stages of development and with differing local
mining conditions. As this phase of the study comes to an end, some mine
sites are still actively operating with reclamation yet to be completed.
Summary reviews of each mine site, including mining technique and hollow
fills, are presented in Tables 43, 44, 45 and 46. These tables describe
each site's assets and liabilities at the time of the last visit, but do not
indicate final conditions.
A key question remains to be answered at each site: "Will the fill
fail, and if so, to what extent?" A direct answer to this question is very
difficult unless extreme conditions exist at a site. The character of the
fill in regard to spoil placement, material type, erosion conditions, under-
dratn type, drain material, and function plays a predominant role in deter-
mining its final stability. Any one of these factors by itself usually will not
160
-------
Figure 59. Water quality
monitoring equipment.
Figure 6O. Stream flow monitoring equipment.
161
-------
TABLE 43. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINTOP SITE ASSESSMENT
MINE SITE
BA
HA
MA
OA
PA
GEOLOGY
Asset
Multiple coal
seam, high %
sandstone
Multiple coal
seam
Reasonable
overburden
Reasonable
overburden,
high % sand-
stone
High % sand-
stone
Liability
-
High % shale
Relatively large
% of shale
Strata acid
producing
-
SOIL
Asset
Good quality
subsoil
Can revegetate
subsoil
Good quality
subsoil
Good quality
subsoil
Can revegetate
subsoil
Liability
No topsoil
No topsoil,
some clay
No topsoil
No topsoil
No topsoil
EROSION
Asset
Good diversion
control
Good diversion
control
Small area
good diversion
control
Small area
Small water-
shed, good
runoff control
Liability
Steep terrain
Steep terrain
Steep terrain
Steep terrain
Steep terrain
LAND USES
Asset
Large flat
land, excellent
reclamation
Excellent rec-
lamation, large
tract of land
Good reclama-
tion
Excellent rec-
lamation
Excellent rec-
lamation
Liability
Susceptible
to high winds
due to lack of
windbreaks
-
Small surface
area location
Small surface
area
Small surface
area
-------
TABLE 44. KENTUCKY MOUNTAINTOP SITE ASSESSMENT
MINE SITE
EA
FA
GA
IA
KA
GEOLOGY
Asset
High % sand-
stone
Multiple coal
seams
High % sand-
stone
Multiple coal
seams
Multiple coal
seams
Liability
Strata acid
producing
Large % shale
and clays
Can be acid
producing
Fair % of shale
large overbui —
den ratio
One seam as-
sociated with
acid producing
strata
SOIL
Asset
Subsoil can be
revegetated
Subsoil can be
revegetated
Subsoil can be
revegetated
Subsoil can be
revegetated
Subsoil can be
revegetated
Liability
Little topsoil
present
Little to no
topsoil present
No available
topsoil
No topsoil
No topsoil
available
EROSION
Asset
Used diversion
ditches and
mountain top
settling pond
Used diversion
ditches and
mountaintop
lake
Surface area
disturbed is
small
Good diversion
practices and
fair settling
pond placement
Used diversion
ditches, ben-
ches slope
slightly toward
htghwall
Liability
Disturbed area
large outslope
steep
Disturbed area
large, some
localized ero-
sion
Relatively steep
slope not yet
revegetated
Large area dis-
turbed revege-
tation limited
due to mining
Relatively steep
terrain sui —
rounding mine
site
LAND USES
Asset
Good substrate
excellent rec-
lamation
Good reclama-
tion large
mountaintop
lake
Strip bench
fairly wide
particularly
in hollows
Good substrate
large flat land
after mining
-lollow fill large
and flat
Wide flat area
in the hollows
Liability
Immediate area
not higher in-
habited
Location
Limited use,
is contour
stripped
Immediate uses
limited by long
term mining
Limited uses
contour stripped
-------
TABLE 45. WEST VIRGINIA HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
FILL SITE ASSESSMENT
MINP mTE
BA
HA
MA
OA
PA
SITE PREPARATION
Asset
Site cleared
Site cleared
and wind rowed
Site cleared
Site cleared
and wind rowed
Site cleared
Liability
-
Slopes are
steep
Fill toe on
swamp land
Spring area
in fill
Very steep
slopes
CORE
Asset
Durable sand-
stone
Sunken core
for surface
runoff
Sunken core
Core primarily
sandstone
100% durable
sandstone
Liability
-
Very high %
shale and
weathering
Surge pond
retaining water
Core is elevat-
ed
Core is elevat-
ed
FILL FORM
Asset
Toe on gentle
slope
Toe on gentle
slope, small
size
Moderate slope
Good construc-
tion practices
Small fill,
small drainage
area
Liability
-
Surge pond
drains into
first bench
Water seepage
top lift
Water seepage
third lift
-
EROSION
Asset
Core function-
ing reducing
face erosion
Little face
erosion
Good diversion
to core
Good diversion
to core
Good runoff
control
Liability
Erosion along
edges of fill
-
Some moderate
erosion on edges
Moderate ero-
sion along fill
edge
Slight face
erosion due to
elevated core
cn
-------
TABLE 45. (CONT'D) WEST VIRGINIA HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
FILL SITE ASSESSMENT
MINE SITE
BA
HA
MA
OA
PA
SEDIMENT POND
Asset
Excellent Pond
Good excavated
pond
Good excavated
pond
Good excavated
pond
Excellent pond
Liability
-
_
Pond too far
from fill site
-
WATER QUALITY
Asset
No Acid
No Acid,
low TSS
No Acid,
low TSS
No Acid,
low TSS
No Acid,
low TSS
Liability
-
-
~
-
REVEGETATION
Asset
All completed
lifts revege-
tated
Vegetation
complete, good
cover
Vegetation
complete, good
cover
All completed
lifts revege-
tated
100% cover
Liability
-
-
~
-
WEATHER
Asset
Temperatures
were near long
term average
Temperature
near normal
Temperature
near normal
Temperature
near normal
Temperature
near long term
average
Liability
Precipitation
well below
normal until
August
Precipitation
low in spring
and summer,
high during
fall planting
season
Precipitation
below normal
until September
except for
heavy rain in
June
Precipitation
below normal
until September
except for
June's heavy
ram
Precipitation
well below
normal until
August
(Ti
Ul
-------
TABLE 46. KENTUCKY HEAD-OF-HOLLOW FILL SITE ASSESSMENT
MINE SITE
EA
FA
GA
IA
KA
SITE PREPARATION
Asset
Cleared and
grubbed
Cleared
Cleared
-
Cleared and
material wind-
rowed
Liability
Steep slopes
Steep slopes
Vegetation
covered by fill
Vegetation
covered by fill
Very steep
Slr-ne
UNDERDRAIN SYSTEM
Asset
Good size
segregation
Fair size
segregation
Fair size
segregation
Excellent size
segregation
-air segrega-
tion
Liability
Shale and clay
present
Shale and clay
present
Shale, clay
and organics
present
Shale, clay,
coal prep, plant
waste present
-
FILL FORM
Asset
Long slopes
interrupted by
benching
Not complete,
no final grade
Good grade,
not too steep
Toe will be on
gentle slope
A small fill
Liability
Very steep
terrain
Having stability
problems
Isolated areas
of instability
before grading
Poor compac-
tion, tension
cracks appar-
ent
Steep outs lopes
EROSION
Asset
Excellent
diversion con-
trol
Good diversion
Diversion
ditches and
good grading
-
-
Liability
-
No vegetative
cover
No vegetation
on fill yet
Very large area
disturbed
Bad erosion due
to runoff passing
over fill
-------
TABLE 46. (CONT'D.) KENTUCKY HEAD-OF-HOLLOW
FILL SITE ASSESSMENT
M INI P Q ITC
EA
FA
GA
1 A
IM
KA
SEDIMENT POND
Asset
Good excavated
pond
Excellent pond
-
Use series of
rock dams
Good pond
construction
Liability
-
-
Small rock
dams only
Rapidly silting
in
WATER QUALITY
Asset
No acid dis-
charge, low
metals and TSS
No acid dis-
charge, low
TSS
No acid dis-
charge, low
iron
No acid dis-
charge
No acid dis-
charge
Liability
-
-
Moderate levels
of TSS
Relatively high
levels of TSS
Moderate levels
of TSS
REVEGETATION
Asset
Seeded with
good mixture
and heavy appli-
cation rate
-
-
Seeded before
winter
Liability
Did not seed
until fall heavy
rains
No cover, fill
incomplete
No cover on
fill
No cover on
fill
Face erosion
problems
WEATHER
Asset
Temperature
near normal
Temperature
near normal
Te mpe r atu re
near normal
Temperature
near normal
Temperature
near normal
Liability
Precipitation
below normal in
Spring above
normal during
summer and fall
Precipitation
abnormal during
all planting
seasons
Precipitation
extremely low
during spring
and early fall
with excess rain
in June and
October
Precipitation
extremely low
during spring
then fluctuated
between too
much and not
enough the re-
mainder of year
Precipitation
fluctuated con-
tinuously be-
tween extremes
ON
-------
result in a failure, but several in combination could lead to stability prob-
lems. A brief discussion of these factors will provide some insight into
how fill stability can be assessed.
Method of spoil placement establishes particle alignment. Figure 61
illustrates the basic difference between placed spoil and end dumped ma-
terials. The cross-grain configuration of placed spoil tends to resist fail-
ure forces to a greater degree than the alignment parallel to the shear
planes resulting from end dumping overburden.
The type of spoil used in the head-of-hollow fill is a function of the
geology of the overburden. Because retention of water within the fill can
significantly affect its stability, the best fill material is 100% sandstone and
sandstone-derived soils, which retain less water than shales and clays.
Limiting the amount of water entering the fill material and reducing
its contact time help maintain stability. This is accomplished by diverting
water away from the fill material through internal and external drainways.
The rock core utilized in West Virginia serves both drainage duties pro-
vided the operators keep easily weatherable rock and fines out of the core
and slightly depress it on finished slopes. Clogging of this drain reduces
efficiency and increases retention time. Elevated cores can become
clogged by silt at the fill surface-core interface, causing surface water to
either pond or erode the face. On one particular instance, a heavy rainfall
washed seed, mulch, and fertilizer from a recently seeded fill face against
the protruding rock core. As the grasses grew, drainage from the bench
was blocked, resulting in severe erosion along the fill surface-core inter-
face.
Surge ponds placed at the head of the hollow fill regulate water flow
to the drain from storm runoff, thus decreasing water velocity and erosion
potential. Problems arise if this pond does not completely drain following
each storm. Permanently retained water may create seep areas below the
pond on the fill outslopes or may saturate the fill, changing the stability
factors.
In Kentucky, on the other hand, the internal drain is formed during
the end dumping process. Spoil is segregated by gravity as the material
rolls down the hollow with large rocks reaching the bottom. Good operation
of the drain depends on restricting the quantity of fines and weatherable ma-
terial reaching the critical area. Kentucky's law requiring reduction of
outslopes in hollow fills every 48 hours may effectively eliminate the nat-
ural formation of an underdrain system by clogging it with fines. Further
blockage of water migration from the fill mass results when the final 20°
grade (toeing out the fill) is established. Illustration 61 graphically poi—
trays origin and final disposition of the fine grained spoil on completed
Kentucky fills.
168
-------
TOP OF FILL
POTENTIAL SHEAR PLANES
SPOIL PLACED BY TRUCK
AND TRACKED AND
SPREAD BY DOZERS.
CONSTRUCTED SLOPE 26e
SPOIL PLACEMENT IN FILL (W. VA. STYLE)
TOP OF FILL
ACTIVE DUMP FACE
POTENTIAL SHEAR PLANES
FINAL SLOPE 20°
FINE GRAINED SPOIL
BLOCKS DRAINAGE
THEORETICAL ROCK UNDERDRAIN
BY GRAVITY SEGREGATION.
SPOIL FREE DUMPED IN FILL (KY. STYLE)
Figure 61. Typical internal structure of hollow fills.
169
-------
Spoil compaction also plays a major role in ultimate fill stability.
By compacting the material, greater cohesion is achieved and a lower fail-
ure potential exists. Through placing spoil in thin layers and compressing
it by rubber-tired vehicles, good compaction is obtained in West Virginia.
Unfortunately, a lower degree of compaction occurs in end dumping, be-
cause only the surface of the active dumping face is compressed.
Tension cracks and slip formations are outward signs of insufficient
consolidation of the fill mass. Even if these failure areas are regraded and
dressed-up, they generally will remain internally and could present prob-
lems at some future time.
Tables 47 through 56 summarize the conditions found at each site as
related to the factors which influence fill stability.
Another area of critical impact is the effects on stream water qual-
ity resulting from disturbance of large tracts of land. Although water
quality testing data have been presented with each mine site discussion
(Section 6), for ease of comparison the data has been summarized by state
and water source (Tables 57, 58, 59 and 60) and by key parameters (Tables
61 and 62). As can be readily seen, the state's mean values for West
Virginia are consistently lower than Kentucky. This better effluent water
quality may be attributed to differences in statewide mining practices such
as:
• concurrent revegetation by lifts in West Virginia hollow fills
• filtering effects of the rock core
• better sediment pond control
WEST VIRGINIA HIGHWAY INDUSTRY
According to Mr. Robert K. Tinney, Administrative Engineer, West
Virginia Construction Division, Department of Highways, the road contrac-
tor is wholly responsible for furnishing any waste sites necessary when
there is excess material from a highway project. The contractor makes
all the arrangements with the property owner and signs a contract with him.
The site has to be approved by the Department of Highways using informa-
tion from Form HL-445 (T) and field reviews of the site.
The manual entitled "Erosion and Sediment Control", West Virginia
Department of Highways, April 1, 1972, defines the guidelines used for
waste site control. The theory upon which this manual is based and by
170
-------
TABLE 47. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE BA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
Trucked to fill and spread
50%
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Good; some ponding of water on construc-
tion surface
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
Predominantly sandstone with moderate
to high percentage of shale
Fair to good; zoning of materials noted
in the surface
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER O F U. D.
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
Fair to good;erosion appears intermittent
Fair to good
Through core of predominantly sandstone
Some rocks appear to be oversized in
places
Function as underdrain appears to be fair
to good
Good to fair
Incomplete
Good with few erosion scars
Erosion at interface appears to be a pro-
blem
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Good; depends on existing water seepage
and continued function of core drain
171
-------
TABLE 48. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE HA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
CHARACTER OF FILL
Trucked to site and spread
100%
Good to very good; ridge-top location
Sandstone and shale; generally open-
textu red
TOP CONDITION
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
Good; appears to have good internal
drainage
Good; some minor gullying
Fair to good; narrow hollow at toe
Core of predominantly shale, some
sandstone
CHARACTER OF U.D.
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
Shale fragments on surface appear to be
weathering rapidly
As underdrain fair to good at present
time; surface function fair
To core where possible; seepage minor
Good; some infiltration takes place; no
ponding
Good; very minor gullying
Good; minor gullying at Fill-ground inter-
face
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Fair to good; overall stability should be
satisfactory if water seepage does not
materially increase; core may not effec-
tively function over long term
172
-------
TABLE 49. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE MA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER OF U . D,
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Trucked to site and spread
100%
Fair
Primarily shale; some sandstone and
shale-derived soils
Open graded but becoming more imper-
vious as particles degrade; minor ten-
sion cracks on intermediate bench
Fair; seepage is apparent at some points
on slope; will probably result in minor
failures in future
Fai r to good
Through core; contains high percentage
of shale
Contains non-permeable zones
Probably poor; surge pond at top is silted,
preventing full drainage through core;
inducing seepage in fill mass
Inconclusive
To surge pond and infiltrate into fill mass
Fair with occasional seeps and gullying
Good
Fair; predominance of shale-like materials
may result in future development of excess
seepage pressures
173
-------
TABLE 5O. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE OA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
Trucked to fill and spread
PERCENT COMPLETE
Partial
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Good; slight seepage noted
CHARACTER OF FILL
Large percentage of shale-derived soils
TOP CONDITION
Fair to good; rutted mud or dusty in
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER OF U.D.
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Good to very good; minor gullying on
lower portions of slopes; no appreciable
seepage
Fair to good; located in sharp, V-shaped
gully
Through core constructed of mostly sand-
stone; some shale; lateral drainage to core
is apparently being attempted by intei—
mittent rock layers
Appears good and open-graded
Function as surface drain appears to be
intermittent, function as underdrain
appears to be satisfactory
Unknown; probably random seepage to core
Incomplete
Good; very minor gullying
Good; some gullying at fill-ground interface
Good; providing core continues to function
and seepage is controlled by it
174
-------
TABLE 51. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE PA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER OF U . D.
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Trucked to fill and spread; compacted by
construction traffic
1OO%
Very good to excellent
Primarily granular; little shale
Gravelly, sandy appearance
Excellent; minor erosion at lower extre-
mities of some lifts near core
Excellent; located on wide, old coal bench
Through core constructed of sandstone
rock
Some sandstone fragments are extremely
large
As a surface drain, fair; function as
underdrain appears unnecessary since
entire fill is free-draining
Through entire fill near toe region
Primarily internal
Primarily internal
Primarily internal; no signs of major
gullying
Excellent; long term consolidation should
be minor
175
-------
TABLE 52. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE EA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
Free dump from top of fill (or bench?)
Completed, revegetated August 1976
Good - minor erosion
Appears to be sandstone and shale; moderate
to low percentage of shale-derived soils
Undetermined
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION Subject to minor gullying; segregation incom-
plete; flattened slope appears satisfactory
and open-textured
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER OF U. D.
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Apparently set on felled vegetation
Natural segregation
Sandstone and shale fragments by segregation
blanket
Appears fair to good
Through underdrain blanket
Flattened slopes appear satisfactory
Some minor gullying on working face
Good
Fair to good for completed fill
176
-------
TABLE 53. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE FA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
Free dump from top of fit!
80%: final slope not yet established
Poor to fair; talus-like slopes
Appears to be primarily shale with moderate
to high percentage of shale-derived soils,
some sandstone
Appearance of tension cracks and slip
failures
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION Talus slope; segregation is incomplete;
some severe gullying; some minor slides and
mud—flows
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER OF U.D.
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Appears to be on residual clay soils
Segregated blanket (theoretical)
Some sandstone, but primarily shale and clay
Does not appear to be functioning very well,
seepage is causing slide failures and mud-
flows
Probably poor
Undetermined
Some gullying
Fair
Poor to fair; without additional drainage,
failures will continue; probably excessive
long term consolidation of clay materials
throughout fill
177
-------
TABLE 54. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE GA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
Free dump
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
95%: partly revegetated
Good: final grade complete
Appears to be predominantly shale and shale-
derived soils with a large percentage of
degradable sandstone
Good; dusty in traffic area
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION Good
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
Fair; large percentage of fine-grained soils
have migrated to toe area; clearing is incom-
plete in toe area
Theoretical segregation of particles; incon-
clusive
CHARACTER OF U.D.
Shale, silt-clay soils and sandstone
FUNCTION
Inconclusive
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
Probably fair; foundation soils left in-place
will probably consolidate and become less
pervious
Fair to good
FACE
Similar to talus-slope before regrading
SIDES
Good
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Fair to good
178
-------
TABLE 55. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE IA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Free dump from top of fill
50%
Poor to fair
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
FACE (SLORE) CONDITION
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER OF U.D,
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Shale and sandstone, some refuse and shale-
derived soils
Fair to good; traffic area for hauling;
large tension cracks at all active dump points
Talus slope; numerous slides apparent on
active dump zone
Broad valley
Segregated blanket underdrain
Primarily sandstone and shale through segre-
gation
Undetermined
Through blanket
Fair to good by grading; some ponding and
dusting
Absorptive talus; minor gullying
Same as face
Fair to good; fill will be partially contained on
sides by existing highwalls; thereby buttressing
against lateral failures; consolidation of fill
is expected to be long term problem and may
be excessive
179
-------
TABLE 56. FILL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MINE SITE KA
TYPE CONSTRUCTION
PERCENT COMPLETE
GENERAL APPEARANCE
CHARACTER OF FILL
TOP CONDITION
Free dump from bench
Completed, revegetated
Fair
Primarily shale; some sandstone; large
percentage of shale-derived soils
Fair; primarily fine-grained soils exposed
on traffic area; tendency to mud or dust
FACE (SLOPE) CONDITION Fair; some major gullying where drain water
runs across fill
TOE CONDITION
UNDERDRAINAGE BY
CHARACTER OF U.D.
FUNCTION
FOUNDATION DRAIN
SURFACE DRAINAGE
TOP
FACE
SIDES
LONG TERM OUTLOOK
Fair; felled trees are windrowed
Segregation of particles in dumping procedure;
slides occurring just above this type of "drain"
tend to carry fines into the "drain" area
Unknown; estimated to be primarily shale
Unknown; rate of migration of fines into this
drain is undetermined at this time
By segregation of particles forming theoretical
drain blanket; function unknown
Good
Fair; major gullying present
Fair to good
Fair; the existing slopes are extremely steep
180
-------
TABLE 57. WATER QUALITY DATA GENERAL ASSESSMENT SITES
WEST VIRGINIA INFLUENT
YEAR
CD
r-
O)
MONTH
SEPTEMBER
NO V EMBER
DFTFMRPP
MINE
SITE
BA
HA
MA
BA
HA
MA
OA
BA
HA
MA
OA
X
a
7.9
1 .7
6.9
7.2
7.7
6.7
6.9
7.3
6.6
7.0
7.2
LKALINITY
«<
180
0
40
126
132
26
32
100
44
34
40
_
t—
O
I
Q
O
**
0
2OOO
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
z
o
cc
1-
o
t-
.63
.54
. 14
.72
-
.57
-
1 .7
.36
.71
.54
rURBIDITY
C5
9O
5
<5
C5
05
35
48
2.0
25
25
SULFATE
330
140
6O
25O
540
20
125
250
700
80
115
CO
TAL SOLID
0
h-
627
5069
173
62O
1094
71
317
770
1270
190
38O
TOTAL
USPENDED
SOLIDS
CO
8
44
10
12
C 1
3
35
140
6
20
120
CALCIUM
100
64
31
11O
-
59
-
110
200
95
25
AGNESIUM
2i
124
21
8.5
66
-
6.2
-
61
140
10
29
ANGANESE
5
1.5
.88
.01
1. 1
-
.02
_
1.0
1.1
.03
5'. 2
IVLUMINUM
C.1
.3
C.1
. 1
-
.3
-
.7
.1
.4
.2
COPPER
<.o,
<.«
C.01
<.„,
-
C.01
-
C.01
C.01
C.01
<.01
O
Z
N
.29
.04
.31
.24
-
.34
-
.37
.44
.52
.14
CADMIUM
C.01
C.01
C.01
C.01
-
C.01
-
C.01
C.01
C.01
C.01
NICKEL
C.03
C.03
C.03
C.03
-
C.03
-
C.03
<.03
C.03
C.03
Z
o
cc
Q
HI
>
0
CO
CO
o
.14
.03
C.01
C.01
.01
C.01
.22
.01
.03
.05
.21
.
SPECIFIC
NDUCTIVIT
(Mmhot/cm)
O
O
865
10400
250
870
13O5
120
360
750
1360
240
350
CO
Note; All units mg/1 except where noted.
-------
TABLE 58. WATER QUALITY DATA GENERAL ASSESSMENT SITES
WEST VIRGINIA EFFLUENT
cr
<
UJ
>
CD
t^
0)
MONTH
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
DECEMBER
MINE
SITE
HA
HA
MA
OA
BA
HA
OA
BA
HA
MA
PA
BA
HA
MA
OA
PA
BA
HA
MA
PA
I
a
6.7
6.5
7.1
6.3
6.7
6.8
6.5
6.7
6.6
7.9
6.1
7.3
7.2
7.5
6.7
6.4
7.4
7.2
7.3
6.5
ALKALINITY
24
28
64
16
58
70
42
66
66
162
16
60
44
138
24
14
44
46
66
14
ACIDITY (HOT) I
0
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL IRON I
18
.11
.40
.70
.20
.51
.09
.43
.57
C.01
. 1
.34
.30
.78
-
-
1.0
.64
.58
.20
TURBIDITY
C5
5
30
100
10
5
10
<5
45
C5
40
<5
10
75
5
5
6.5
17
48
11
SULFATE
140
175
83
50
27O
70O
6O
?.50
130
90
40
180
175
125
60
30
290
175
90
45
TOTAL SOLIDS
350
390
290
180
550
1170
160
510
362
292
114
401
349
372
151
170
420
350
260
200
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
16
4
30
50
14
3
21
26
32
22
28
3
24
34
8
<1
13
11
35
12
CALCIUM
36
70
66
19
60
92
10
76
31
60
8.8
59
79
85
-
-
73
60
70
37
MAGNESIUM
21
60
20
13
39
49
17
63
24
27
20
4O
37
25
-
-
37
34
17
21
MANGANESE
.10
.15
.16
.04
-
-
-
.41
.53
.01
.5
.53
.09
.70
-
-
.47
.33
.30
.41
ALUMINUM
C. 1
c.1
.10
.60
.10
.10
C. 10
.2
.3
<.1
C.1
<. 1
.2
.1
-
-
.2
.2
.3
.1
COPPER
C.01
<.01
<.01
<.oi
<.01
C.01
<.01
<.01
C.01
C.01
-------
TABLE 59. WATER QUALITY DATA GENERAL ASSESSMENT SITES
KENTUCKY INFLUENT
OC
UJ
UJ
f-
o>
MONTH
A poll
JUNE
AUGUST
NOVEMBER
MINE
SITE
FA
IA
FA
IA
FA
IA
FA
IA
FA
IA
I
a
7.8
6.5
6.4
7.4
6.9
7.6
7.2
7.4
7.1
LKALINITY
-------
TABLE 60. WATER QUALITY DATA GENERAL ASSESSMENT SITES
KENTUCKY EFFLUENT
YEAR 1
(O
f~
0)
r-
MONTH
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
MINE
SITE
FA
FA
GA
IA
KA
FA
GA
IA
KA
FA
GA
IA
KA
EA
FA
GA
IA
KA
EA
FA
GA
IA
KA
X
a.
5.9
7.8
8.1
6.5
7.4
6.9
6.9
6.6
7.5
7.3
7.2
7.5
7.4
7.9
7.9
7.2
7.5
7.2
7.6
6.2
7.4
7.5
ALKALINITY
12
198
328
24
52
92
34
70
236
102
74
284
62
286
150
48
94
74
246
9.0
80
228
ACIDITY (HOT)
20
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
2
0
0
0
o
0
0
4
4
O
6
TOTAL IRON I
<.01
1 .0
1.0
2.0
.48
2.6
1.8
3.0
.32
C.01
.45
1 .7
-
.71
.59
.79
1.2
.95
.83
.1
3.6
4.4
TURBIDITY I
<5
15
25
250
70
220
80
150
10
5
10
5
90
5
25
85
30
5
C5
C5
15
<5
SULFATE I
260
1875
20
85
70
260
265
300
1950
180
250
70
60
199O
310
160
240
90
1700
8.3
180
280
TOTAL SOLIDS I
450
3675
680
1260
240
640
590
625
3700
424
676
502
230
3570
640
480
490
204
2808
54
466
688
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
18
11
26
275
65
CALCIUM
30
296
75
87
30
MAGNESIUM
22
365
45
103
20
NO ACCESS
150
50
150
19
9
6
8
60
6
15
60
20
1
3
2
18
4
59
80
59
280
45
55
58
25
424
85
50
63
39
350
17
107
120
37
39
39
350
35
43
51
-
6.2
89
44
61
17
290
2.5
43
96
MANGANESE
7.9
1.4
6.7
2.5
.02
2.7
2.9
2.5
1.4
.03
3.0
18
-
3.8
2.4
1 .5
2.4
.88
5.5
<.01
2.8
71
ALUMINUM
<.1
<.1
.1
1 .0
1.2
.7
.8
1.5
<.1
<.1
C.1
C.1
-
.3
<.1
.2
.1
<. 1
C.1
<. 1
1 .9
C.1
COPPER
C.01
<.01
.05
<.01
C.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
c.oi
<.01
-
<.01
<.01
<.01
C.01
C.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
o
z
N
.36
.02
,08
.12
.01
.09
.20
.10
.08
.12
.12
.01
_
.71
.16
.14
.16
.09
.06
.08
.24
.02
CADMIUM
<.01
.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
c.oi
<.01
-
<.01
C.01
C.01
C.01
C.01
c.oi
C.01
C.01
C.01
NICKEL
.30
.10
C.03
.07
C.03
C.03
.08
C.03
.05
C.03
.06
C.03
-
.09
C.03
C.O3
C.03
C.03
.04
C.03
.06
C.03
DISSOLVED IRON
C.01
.04
.02
.02
.15
C.01
C.01
C.01
.01
C.01
C.01
C.O1
.43
.70
.59
.74
1 .2
.36
C.01
.08
.05
C.01
SPECIFIC
CONDUCTIVITY
(M.mhoi/
-------
TABLE 61. SUMMARY OF EFFLUENT KEY MINE DRAINAGE PARAMETERS
MINE SITE
W
E
S
T
V
I
R
G
I
N
I
A
K
E
N
T
U
c
K
Y
BA
HA
MA
OA
PA
STATE
EA
FA
GA
IA
KA
STATE
OVERALL
PH
MAX.
7.3
7.2
7.9
6.7
6.4
7.4
7.9
8. 1
7.4
7.5
_
-
MIN.
6.7
6.5
7.1
6.3
6.1
7.2
5.9
6.2
6.5
6.6
-
-
MEAN
-
—
—
"
_
-
-
-
-
TOTAL IRON
MAX.
.43
.57
.78
.70
. 2
.78
.95
1 .0
2.6
3.6
4.4
4.4
4.4
MIN.
.20
.11
<.O1
.09
.1
<.01
_
<.01
C.01
.45
.48
<.01
<.01
MEAN
.39
.44
.40
.15
.40
,95
.56
.86
1 .73
2.2
1 .31
.89
SULFATE
MAX.
270
700
125
60
45
700
90
1990
310
265
300
1990
1990
MIN.
180
130
83
50
30
30
6O
?6O
8.3
85
70
8.3
8.3
MEAN
249
97
57
38
158
75
1555
156
188
192
482
318
TURBIDITY
MAX.
10
45
75
1OO
40
100
9O
15
220
250
150
250
250
MIN.
<5
<5
<5
5
5
<5
5
<5
<5
10
<5
<5
<5
MEAN
14
4O
38
19
22
48
8
56
88
52
51
37
TOTAL SOLIDS
MAX.
550
1 170
372
18O
200
1170
230
3700
680
1260
688
3700
3700
MIN.
401
349
29O
151
114
114
2O4
450
54
466
240
54
54
MEAN
495
304
164
161
352
217
2841
488
694
509
105
223
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
MAX.
26
32
34
50
28
50
60
19
150
275
150
275
275
MIN.
3
3
22
8
<1
<1
1
3
2
6
4
1
1
MEAN
15
30
26
14
19
3O
11
40
82
49
44
32
oo
en
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
-------
TABLE 62. SUMMARY OF EFFLUENT METAL ANALYSES OF MINE DRAINAGE
MINE SITE
W
E
S
T
V
1
R
G
1
N
1
A
K
E
N
T
U
c
K
Y
BA
HA
MA
OA
PA
STATE
EA
FA
GA
IA
KA
STATE
OVERALL
ALUMINUM
MAX.
.10
.10
. 10
.60
.1
.6
<.1
.3
.7
7,4
7.5
7.5
7.5
MIN.
<.1
<.1
..«
<. 10
<.1
<.01
-
<. 1
<. 1
6,5
*6.6
<.,
,.0,
MEAN
.2
.2
.2
,4
.1
.2
,1
.2
.02
.8
.6
.4
.3
CALCIUM
M/U.
76
£2
SO
19
37
92
39
424
85
107
120
424
424
MIN.
59
31
85
10
8.8
8.8
25
30
17
50
30
17
8.8
MEAN
67
61
70
14
23
55
32
276
56
86
66
113
87
DISSOLVED IRON
MAX.
.13
1 .1
.31
.21
.12
1 .1
.43
.70
.59
.74
1 .2
1 .2
1 .2
MIN.
<.01
<.01
.02
.OS
,03
<.01
.36
,0,
< . 01
<( 01
C.01
<.o,
,.«
MEAN
.05
.25
. 12
. 15
.06
. 15
.40
.15
.14
.17
.26
.20
.18
MAGNESIUM
MAX.
63
6O
27
•17
21
63
17
065
se
103
96
365
365
MIN.
39
21
20
13
20
13
.-
6.2
2.5
39
20
2.5
2.5
MEAN
45
38
22
15
20
32
17
207
42
54
53
86
61
MANGANESE
MAX.
.53
.53
.70
.04
.5
.70
.88
7.9
6.7
3.0
71
71
71
MIN.
.41
.09
.01
.41
.01
-
1 .4
<,01
1.5
.02
.01
.01
MEAN
.47
.24
.29
.04
.45
.31
.88
4
2.4
2.5
18.8
6.63
3.90
MAX.
.40
.14
.37
.02
.39
.40
.09
.71
. 16
.24
. 16
.71
.71
ZINC
MIN.
.05
<.01
.02
<.01
.08
<.01
-
.02
.08
.12
.01
.01
,0,
MEAN
.21
.08
.28
.02
.24
.12
.09
,25
.11
. 16
.06
. 14
.13
oo
Note: All units mg/l except where noted.
-------
which the West Virginia Department of Highways functions is divided into
four segments:
• compact the face of the fill at the end of each work day and if the
fill is to be temporarily abandoned
• control erosion using brush, rocks, or sediment ponds
• cover exposed soils with temporary matting, mulches or vegeta-
tion and replace or supplement with permanent vegetation at
completion of construction
• reduce area and/or duration of exposure to the elements.
Dr. Blazer, a professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute associated
with the National Highway Research Board, has done extensive ground cover
studies and research on slope smoothness in relation to speed and success
of revegetation. It appears now that, unless the finished face of the out-
slope has to be finely graded for appearances (highly populated areas only),
a rougher surface is more conducive to fast and effective revegetation. The
West Virginia Highway Department is using this idea in test plots along 1-79
near Charleston. The field team will tour the test plots on the next trip to
West Virginia and information on the plots will be made available to them.
This information may help in making recommendations for the final report
on the Mountaintop Removal and Head-of-Hollow Fill project.
If the outslope of the fill is near a stream, a number of precautions
are taken by the Highway Department:
1 . the outer edge is lined with a 3 meter (10 foot) wide area of rock
2. small settling ponds are used
3. slope of the face is not permitted to be over 2:1
4. cover of some kind is provided as soon as possible
5. the outslope is compacted daily
A ninety-five percent (95%) compaction is required on the top 5
meters (16 feet) of the fill utilizing the same equipment as that employed
on the associated highway embankment. The "roller pass method" monitors
compaction after each pass of the equipment over the fill to determine the
optimum degree of compaction for the fill material. Compaction is checked
one of two ways by the Highway Department:
1 . densometer - similar to "sand cone" method
2. nuclear probe - recently popular
Highway embankments are compacted in O.6 meter (2 foot) maximum lifts
for rocky material and 2O cm (8 inch) maximum lifts for fine material.
187
-------
The Division of Design of the West Virginia Department of Highways
gets involved with waste site construction only if a major problem develops.
Otherwise they are concerned solely with the highway site itself.
Specific information has been obtained from the Department of High-
ways, West Virginia, on certain waste disposal areas along 1-79 between
Frametown and Charleston, West Virginia, and will be discussed in the
final report. The waste disposal areas and descriptions of the sites are
presented in Table 63.
LAND USE POTENTIAL
Mountaintop removal mining techniques, aside from supplying an
essential resource, may also provide depressed regions of Appalachia with
a badly needed new resource: developable land.
Land usage, limited by the jagged topography of the region, has been
restricted to available bottom lands in the narrow stream valleys, where
main agricultural, residential, and industrial centers are located. This
shortage of level terrain has been a principal limiting factor in the eco-
nomic development of the socio-geographic region known as Appalachia.
At present, the surface mining techniques (Mountaintop Removal, and
associated Head-of-Hollow Fill) now in use in southern West Virginia and
eastern Kentucky offer the only economically feasible method of obtaining
such land. Surface mining operations will now become dual commodity
industries, providing both level land and coal, in a region and time where
both are sorely needed.
Preplanning land use before mining operations are begun is a highly
desirable course of action, thus facilitating the quality of the final product
after reclamation. With proper regrading and soil preparation, many
areas previously strip mined can be converted into highly productive valu-
able land, although benefit-cost ratios may sometimes be lower if land use
is not considered prominently in the mining scheme planning.
Concern for aesthetics of a site has increased greatly in reclama-
tion planning and implementation. However, it is an extremely subjective
factor which can be related to reclamation in many ways, as the authors of
a report entitled "The Aesthetics of Surface-Mine Reclamation: an On-Site
Survey in Appalachia" point out.( ' The most creative and useful way of
conceptualizing a reclaimed site is as a recomposed landscape — a design -
in which the trees, grass, shrubs, rocks, access roads, paths, impound-
ments, diversion ditches, drainways and embankments are part of a
unified and integrated scheme. All elements of the landscape should har-
monize with the surrounding environment while reflecting the final land use
188
-------
TABLE 63. SUMMARY OF W. VA. HIGHWAY WASTE DISPOSAL SITES
Site
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Location
(Road Marker)
2723 + OO
2565 + 00
2526 + 00
2173 +OO
2122 + 00
1318 + 00
1 240 + OO
1226 + 00
Fill Size
Length
182.9
(600)
152.4
(500)
274.3
(900)
304.8
(1 ,000)
91.4
(300)
365.8
(1,200)
91.4
(300)
121.9
(400)
213.4
(700)
Width
91 .4
(300)
91.4
(300)
61 .0
(200)
182.9
(600)
45.5
(150)
167.6
(550)
45.5
(150)
61 .0
(200)
61.0
(200)
Height
12.2
(40)
7.6
(25)
6. 1
(20)
27.4
(90)
3.0
(10)
30.5
(100)
7.6
(25)
4.6
(15)
6. 1
(20)
Drainage Channel
Location
Center
Left
Edge
Left
Edge
Left
Edge
Center
Description
sandstone
riprap
"V" shaped
riprap
drain
riprap
drain
riprap
total length
riprap, bot-
tom half face
not apparent
Right
Edge
Center
Right
Edge
Center
riprap
riprap
riprap
riprap
Vegetation
Type
rye
clover
grasses
clover
grasses
clover
grasses
rye
clover
grasses
clover
grasses
clover
grasses
grasses
clover
grasses
vetch
clover
grasses
vetch
% Cover
5O front
75 back
85
85
75
75
70
75
75
75
Erosion
Location
Face
Top
Face
Face
Top
Face
Face
Face
Top
Face
Face
Magnitude
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Minor
Major, Left
of Center
Minor
Minor
Minor
CO
Fill Size Measurements are in meters and (feet)
-------
of the site. It must be emphasized that land use planning should be con-
sidered on a regional basis and not limited to a short term isolated site
approach. These considerations are especially important in mountaintop
removal mining, because of the large tracts of land involved and the poten-
tial effects on a wide area.
The long term impact of this type of mining on the beautiful moun-
tainous regions of southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky should be
of great concern to everyone. Ignoring aesthetics could result in steep
rugged landforms sheared to flatness, with none left standing to relieve
visual monotony. With a rational approach to utilization of our natural
resources we can strike a balance between aesthetics and economics, pro-
viding developable land while retaining the beauly of the mountains.
Land that has been transformed into flat areas as a result of moun-
taintop removal mining has been and/or will be used for a variety of pur-
poses. Table 64 provides examples of alternative land uses ranging from
single industry resort developments (tourism) to complete pre-planned
communities with hospitals, hotels, airports, shopping centers, schools,
and residential areas. In instances where properly reclaimed land has been
returned to agricultural uses, yields have been reported to be as good, if
not better, than that obtained before mining.( '
Often, when concepts appear to offer many benefits, one becomes
naturally suspicious of hidden liabilities and costs; however, mountaintop
mining and reclamation methods, when planned and implemented, will re-
sult in creation of our primary resource - productive land.
190
-------
TABLE 64. ALTERNATIVE USES OF SOME
RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES*
I. COMMERCIAL
LOCATION
1. Airport
2. Airport
3. Sanitary Landfill
4. Airport
5. Deep Mining Complex
6 . Deep Mining Complex
7. Coal Preparation Plant
8. Sawmill
9. Sawmill
10. Cannelton Farms
11. Apple Orchard
12. Apple Orchard
Williamson
Logan
Logan
Hazard
Bull Creek
Upshur County
Kayford
Walkersville
Preston County
Ward
Buffalo
Bradshaw
II. HOUSING
1 . Planned Community (10,000)
2. Residential Developments
3. Residential Developments
(With private airfield)
4. Residential Developments
5. Residential Developments
(Rush Creek)
6. Mobile Home Park
7. Mobile Home Park
Ward
Beckley
Corrine
Peach Creek
Kanawha County
Buckhannon
Osage
III. PUBLIC FACILITIES
1. County Airport & Complex
2. Consolidated High School &
Vocational/Athletic Complex
3. Consolidated High School
4. Church: Protestant
Logan
Welch
Coal City
Beckley
""Adopted from Reference No. 3.
191
-------
TABLE 64. (CONT'D.) ALTERNATIVE USES OF SOME
RECLAIMED SURFACE MINES*
IV. RECREATIONAL (public
and private)
Mountaintop Recreational
Lake
LOCATION
Middlesboro
V. MISCELLANEOUS
1. Sanitary Landfill
2. Sanitary Landfill
3. Sanitary Landfill
4. Sanitary Landfill
5. Sanitary Landfill
Buckhannon
Rainelle
Walkersville
Boone County
Fayette County
15Adopted from Reference No. 3.
192
-------
SECTION 8
PROJECT STATUS PHASE III
INTENSIVE SITES
Kentucky - Mine Site LA
After numerous discussions with mining company personnel and
site visits in eastern Kentucky, Mine Site LA was chosen for intensive
monitoring and evaluation. This site will be mined using conventional
contour strip mining with associated head-of-hollow fills and truck haul-
back.
The premine plan specifies five head-of-hollow fills to be con-
structed in one relatively small watershed, thereby giving excellent flexi-
bility in the monitoring program to accommodate any unexpected changes in
mining plans. The following is a summary of our monitoring program up
to January* 1977:
TABLE 65. TIME TABLE OF EVENTS FOR MINE SITE LA
Month Event
April, 1976 • Site selected
• Initial grab water samples
. Aquatic biota assessment
May, 1976 • Monitoring station established
Flow - Parshall flume
- Steven's Water Level Recorder
Water Sampler - Isco Auto Water Sampler
June, 1976 • All monitoring equipment's calibration checked
. Isco sampler set to collect 110 ml/6 hours and
composite 4 samples per bottle
193
-------
Month
Event
July, 1976
August, 1976
September, 1976
October, 1976
November, 1976
December, 1976
Routine month
Since May, daily water samples have been
composited into weekly samples (based
on flow) and a monthly composite sample
Samples are sent to a laboratory for analy-
ses as soon as possible after collection
Water quality analyses
Weekly composite samples, Group A,
(Table 66)
Monthly composite samples and
monthly grab samples, Group B,
(Table 66)
Site inspection
Routine month
Water quality sampling
Site inspection
Aquatic biota sampling
Routine month
Water quality sampling
Site inspection
Mining started on Mine Site LA
Sediment pond constructed
Routine sampling month
Water quality
Site inspection
Aerial photography of Mine Site LA taken at
2.5 cm = 61 m (1" = 200')
Black and white stereo
Color
Color infrared
Routine month
Water quality sampling of effluent from
sediment pond was initiated
Pond effluent analyzed weekly for Group C
monthly composite Group B (Table 66)
Head-of-hollow fill operation began in the moni-
tored area
Routine month
Water quality sampling
194
-------
Month
Event
January, 1977
Severe cold weather - influent water stream
became frozen
Water samples are grab samples only
The intensive monitoring program for the head-of-hollow fill in
Kentucky is on schedule with no major problems.
TABLE 66. WATER QUALITY ANALYSES
Type
Analyses
Group A
Frequency
Weekly Composite
Source
Influent
Group B
Monthly Composites
Monthly Grab
Influent
Effluent
Influent
Parameters
PH
Alkalinity (total)
Acidity (hot)
Iron (total)
Turbidity
Sulfate
Solids (total)
pH
Alkalinity (total)
Acidity (hot)
Iron (total)
Turbidity
Sulfate
Solids (suspend)
Solids (total)
Calcium
Magnesium
Manganese
Aluminum
Copper
Zinc
Cadmium
Nickel
Iron (dissolved)
Specific Conductance
195
-------
Type
Analyses
Group C
West Virginia
Frequency
Weekly Grab
Source
Effluent
Parameters
Turbidity
Total Suspend
Solid
Selection of an intensive mine site in West Virginia was much more
difficult than finding the Kentucky site. Difficulty centered around the
following:
• Compatible time schedule - most mines do not know a year
in advance where they will be mining.
. Mine size - compatible with project requirements.
• Mine site physical condition, mining techniques and overall
reclamation practices - compatible with Phase II results.
Mine Site SA was finalized as West Virginia's intensive monitoring
location for mountaintop removal and head-of-hollow fill; however, this did
not occur until August, 1976. Two other sites had been selected earlier
only to be deleted in the last stages of negotiations.
Although the West Virginia monitoring schedule is four months be-
hind Kentucky's, this should not adversely affect the project. Mining is
not to begin on this site until spring of 1977, permitting at least six months
of baseline data to be obtained, approximately what was taken in Kentucky.
Mine Site SA is mountaintop removal mining with head-of-hollow
spoil disposal. The terrain and geological condition are quite similar to
Mine Site PA described in Section 6 of this report.
All equipment, sampling procedures, and analyses utilized in the
Kentucky monitoring site hold true for this site investigation. The follow-
ing is a summary of our monitoring programs up to January, 1977:
196
-------
TABLE 67. TIME TABLE OF EVENTS FOR MINE SITE SA
Month
August, 1976
September, 1976
October, 1976
November, 1976
December, 1976
January, 1977
Event
• Site selected
Initial grab water samples
• Monitoring station established
Flow - Parshall flume
- Steven's Recorder
Water Samples - Isco Auto Sampler
• Routine month
Water quality samples
• Flash flood
Monitoring station silted in
• Aerial photography of Mine Site SA taken
at 2.5 cm = 61 m (1" = 200')
Black and white stereo
Color
Color infrared
• Monitoring station moved up the hollow 366
meters (1,200 Feet) to protect it from Further
flash floods
• Water quality sampling continued
• Routine month
Water quality
Site insoection
• Severe cold weather - monitoring unit frozen
All water quality samples obtained are handled in the same manner
as previously described (Table 66) for weekly and monthly composite
baseline samples. The monitoring equipment is located between the toe
of the proposed fill and the sediment control pond (Kentucky and West
Virginia sites).
Currently, the West Virginia monitoring program is back on
schedule and operating without any major problems.
197
-------
REFERENCES
1. "Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factor", U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Air and Water Programs, Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards, Publication No. AP-42, (1973).
2. Cowherd, C. Jr., et al, "Development of Emission Factors for Fugi-
tive Dust Sources", Environmental Protection Agency, (1974).
3. Greene, B. C., "Productive Aspects of Reclaimed Surface Mined
Lands", Department of Natural Resources, pp. 36-38.
4. Johnstone, H. F., W. E. Winsche, and L. W. Smith, "The Dispersion
and Deposition of Aerosols", Chemical Review 44(2), p. 353, (1949).
5. Locasse, J. L. and W. J. Moroz (editors), "Handbook of Effects
Assessment - Vegetation Damage", Center for Environmental Studies,
The Pennsylvania State University, (1969).
6. McCormack, D. E. , "Soil Reconstruction: Selecting Materials for
Placement in Mine Reclamation", Mining Congress Journal,
September, 1976, p. 36.
7. Mallary, R. and C. Carlozi, "The Aesthetics of Surface-Mine Recla-
mation: An On-Site Survey in Appalachia", Publication R-76-5,
University of Massachusetts, (1976).
8. Pasquill, F., "The Estimation of Dispersion of Windborne Material",
Meterorological Magazine, Volume 90, No. 1063, pp. 33-49, (1961).
9. Roberts, J. C., et al, "Preparation of Plans", Division of Design
Guidance Manual, p. 27, (1975).
10. Ibid.
11. Roberts, J. C. , et al, "Roadway and Drainage Excavation", Standard
Specifications for Roao^and Bridge Construction, pp. 102-103, (1976).
12. Turner, D.B., "Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates",
AP-26, Environmental Protection Agency, (1970).
198
-------
APPENDIX
TABLE 68. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR MINE SITE FA
a.
<
UJ
>
to
t-
O)
r-
s
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
MAX.
23
(74)
28
(82)
31
(87)
31
(87)
32
(90)
34
(93)
33
(91)
32
(89)
27
(80)
22
(71)
20
(68)
9
(49)
MIN.
-9
(16)
-3
(26)
1
(34)
3
(38)
10
(50)
14
(58)
13
(56)
7
(44)
-3
(27)
-9
(16)
-12
(11)
-18
(-1)
MEAN
9
(48)
12
(53)
15
(59)
18
(63)
23
(74)
25
(76)
24
(75)
20
(68)
13
(55)
6
(43)
3
(38)
-3
(27)
PRECIPITATION
CM (IN)
TOTAL
5.54
(2.18)
13.26
(5.22)
O.99
(0.39)
14.05
(5.53)
8.79
(3.46)
9.53
(3.75)
5.03
(1.98)
7.29
(2.87)
13.54
(5.33)
8.76
(3.45)
11.23
(4.42)
6.48
(2.55)
DAILY
MAX.
3.38
(1.33)
2.92
(1.15)
0.36
(0.14)
4.14
(1.63)
4.24
(1.67)
3.89
(1.53)
2.72
(1.07)
2.79
(1.10)
3.53
(1 .39)
6.25
(2.46)
2.34
(0.92)
2.03
(0.80)
NO. OF
PREC.
DAYS
10
17
6
13
15
13
10
12
12
8
15
18
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
57
70
44
63
SO
53
49
61
57
54
53
64
AVERAGE .
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
73.81
(29.06)
73.71
(29.02)
73.76
(29.04)
73.51
(28.94)
73.66
(29.00)
73.71
(29. 02)
73.81
(29.06)
73.71
(29.02)
73.76
(29,04)
73.86
(29.08)
73.79
(29.05)
73.74
(29.03)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
55
55
33
59
60
62
60
64
63
52
60
63
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPHI
7.9
(4.9)
5.3
(3.3)
3. 1
(1.9)
2.7
(1.7)
1 .9
(1.2)
3.4
(2.1)
5. 1
(3.2)
3.4
(2.1)
3.4
(2.1)
5.0
(3.1)
5.0
(3.1)
6.0
(3.7)
DIRECTION
24
26
31
31
28
28
02
36
35
28
28
27
COMMENTS
CD
CD
-------
TABLE 69. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR MINE SITE GA
cc
<
UJ
>
CO
N
o>
r>»
r~
OJ
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
TEMPERATURE
0 C <° F)
MAX.
23
(73)
27
(81)
29
(84)
29
(84)
32
(89)
33
(92)
32
(89)
29
(85)
26
(78)
18
(64)
16
(61)
6
(42)
MIN.
-15
(5)
-7
(19)
-4
(24)
0
(32)
10
(50)
12
(53)
11
(51)
3
(38)
-7
(20)
-16
(4)
-18
(0)
-24
(-12)
MEAN
7
(44)
10
(50)
13
(55)
16
(61)
22
(71)
23
(73)
22
(71)
18
(64)
1O
(50)
3
(37)
-1
(31)
_O
(18)
PRECIPITATION
CM (IN)
TOTAL
11,86
(4.67)
9.45
(3.72)
3.15
(1 .24)
8.03
(3.16)
8.48
(3.34)
17.12
(6.74)
3.20
(1 .26)
10.74
(4.23)
9.8O
(3.86)
1 .14
(0.45)
3. 1O
(1.22)
5.84
(2.30)
DAILY
MAX.
7.39
(2.91)
2.72
(1.07)
1 .63
(0.64)
1.91
(0.75)
1.50
(0.59)
7.16
(2 . 82)
1 .02
(0 . 4O)
3.61
(1.42)
2.26
(0.89)
0.33
(0.13)
1 .73
(0.68)
1 .50
(0.59)
NO. OF
PREC.
DAYS
14
17
5
16
13
11
7
11
12
9
12
20
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
70
69
49
51
65
56
54
57
58
52
57
67
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
73.69
(29.01)
73.61
(28.98)
73.74
(29.03)
73.48
(28.93)
73.65
(28.99)
73.65
(28.99)
73.84
(29.07)
73.72
(29.02)
73.74
(29.03)
73.76
(29.04)
73.69
(29.01)
73.66
(29.00)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
57
59
45
51
58
60
54
60
62
50
63
67
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPHi
10.1
(6.3)
9.8
(6.1)
3.7
(2.3)
2.3
(1.4)
3.9
(2.4)
4.5
(2.8)
3.7
(2.3)
1 .4
(0.9)
1 .3
(0.8)
8.5
(5.3)
7.7
(4.8)
9.0
(5.6)
DIRECTION
22
21
21
18
17
22
6
11
15
23
22
23
COMMENTS
IO
o
o
-------
TABLE 70. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR MINE SITE IA
EC
<
111
>
CD
t^
O5
l«-
h-
o>
f->
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
MAX.
25
(77)
28
(83)
32
(89)
31
(88)
33
(91)
33
(92)
33
(91)
28
(83)
27
(80)
22
(72)
16
(61)
6
(42)
MIN.
-13
(8)
-4
(24)
-4
(25)
2
(36)
10
(50)
12
(53)
10
(50)
4
(39)
-4
(24}
-12
(10)
-14
(6)
-25
(-13)
MEAN
8
(46)
11
(52)
13
(56)
17
(63)
22
(72)
23
(73)
22
(72)
17
(63)
10
(50)
4
(39)
0
(32)
-7
(20)
PRECIPITATION
CM (IN)
TOTAL
6.05
(2.38)
9.91
(3.90)
1 .88
(0.74)
6.12
(2.41)
10.80
(4.25)
13.92
(5.48)
14.53
(5.72)
10.85
(4.27)
14.07
(5.54)
1 .85
(0.73)
5.51
(2.17)
6.15
(2.42)
DAILY
MAX.
2.79
(1.10)
3.20
(1.26)
0.94
(0.37)
1 .73
(0.68)
2.64
(1.04)
5.33
(2.10)
4.45
(1.75)
3.68
(1.45)
3.94
(1.55)
0.81
(0.32)
1 .91
(0.75)
1.40
(0.55)
A/0, OF
PflfC.
DAYS
14
17
3
16
13
12
11
15
14
13
17
23
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
74
72
58
71
68
67
66
68
71
57
68
69
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
74.04
(29.15)
74.02
(29.14)
74.12
(29.18)
73.89
(29 . 09)
74.04
(29.15)
74.02
(29.14)
74.24
(29 . 23)
74.09
(29.17)
74.12
(29.18)
74.12
(29.18)
74.04
(29.15)
74.02
(29.14)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
52
49
36
44
55
60
55
63
59
45
57
66
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPHJ
7.9
(4.9)
6.4
(4.0)
3.7
(2.3)
1 .8
-(1.1)
1 .9
(1.2)
5.1
(3.2)
1 .4
(0.9)
0.6
(0.4)
1.4
(0.9)
7.7
(4.8)
6.3
(3.9)
9.2
(5.7)
DIRECTION
24
25
30
27
19
25
07
28
32
27
28
27
COMMENTS
ro
o
-------
TABLE 71. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR MINE SITE HA
cc
<
III
>
CO
r>-
o
t—
t*-
r^
0)
T—
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
MAX.
21
(70)
26
(78)
3O
(86)
27
(80)
29
(84)
31
(87)
29
(85)
27
(81)
22
(71)
18
(64)
14
(58)
6
(42)
MIN,
-18
(-1)
-9
(15)
-8
(18)
0
(32)
7
(44)
8
(47)
6
(43)
4
(39)
-8
(18)
-14
(6)
-17
(2)
-28
(-18)
MEAN
6
(42)
9
(48)
11
(52)
14
(57)
19
(67)
20
(68)
19
(66)
16
(60)
8
(46)
1
(34)
-1
(30)
-8
(17)
PRECIPITATION
CM (IN)
TOTAL
7.52
(2.96)
8.43
(3.32)
0.71
(0,28)
9.63
(3.79)
7.57
(2.98)
9.04
(3.56)
4.42
(1.74)
14.00
(5.51)
14.94
(5.88)
3.30
(1 .30)
7.O4
(2.77)
5.13
(2.02)
DAILY
MAX,
1.73
(0.68)
2.39
(0.94)
0.33
(0.13)
2.72
(1.07)
1.85
(0.73)
3.61
(1.42)
1 .32
(0.52)
3.25
(1.28)
3.28
(1.29)
0.99
(0.39)
1 .63
(0.64)
1 .12
(0.44)
A/0. OF
PREC.
DAYS
18
17
9
16
14
13
12
16
17
17
23
25
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
72
74
49
71
71
70
61
71
65
63
65
69
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
69.65
(27.42)
69.65
(27.42)
69.75
(27.46)
69.60
(27.40)
69.85
(27 . 50)
69,80
(27.48)
70.00
(27 . 56)
69.83
(27.49)
69.72
(27.45)
69.60
(27.41)
69.52
(27.37)
69.32
(27.29)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
58
54
39
53
56
58
59
63
66
58
65
74
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH (MPH)
12.7
(7.9)
9.7
(6.0)
7.2
(4.5)
4.7
(2.9)
5.0
(3.1)
6.6
(4.1)
0.3
(0.2)
3.1
(1.9)
2.9
(1.8)
11.1
(6.9)
10. 9
(6.8)
13.0
(8.1)
DIRECTION
23
22
27
22
16
25
22
24
24
26
25
26
COMMENTS
IV)
o
IV)
-------
TABLE 72. CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR MINE SITE MA
YEAR |
to
N
o>
r~
r-
0)
t—
MONTHS
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
TEMPERATURE
0 C (° F)
MAX.
26
(78)
29
(84)
31
(88)
33
(91)
34
(94)
34
(93)
33
(91)
30
(86)
26
(78)
21
(69)
16
(61)
7
(44)
MIN.
-15
(5)
-6
(22)
1
(33)
-5
(23)
8
(47)
11
(51)
7
(45)
4
(40)
-6
(21)
-11
(12)
-15
(5)
-23
(-10)
MEAN
8
(46)
11
(52)
17
(62)
13
(55)
22
(72)
22
(72)
21
(70)
17
(63)
10
(50)
3
(38)
-1
(31)
-7
(19)
PRECIPITATION
CM (IN)
TOTAL
5.36
(2.11)
10.69
(4.21)
9.30
(3.66)
1.27
(0.50)
10.77
(4.24)
17. 6O
(6.93)
5.66
(2.23)
13.64
(5.37)
13.82
(5.44)
2.59
(1 .02)
5.54
(2.18)
4.83
(1 .90)
DAILY
MAX.
1 .63
(0.64)
3.61
(1 .42)
2.90
(1.14)
0.58
(0.23)
3.58
(1.41)
7.39
(2.91)
2.21
(0.87)
3.99
(1.57)
2.72
(1 .07)
0.66
(0.26)
1 .04
(0.41)
0.84
(0.33)
NO. OF
PREC.
DAYS
16
15
15
8
15
15
12
16
17
17
17
23
DAYTIME
CLOUD
COVER
%
70
67
63
45
65
61'
57
63
67
56
64
70
AVERAGE
BAROM.
PRESSURE
CM (IN)
73.76
(29.04)
73.74
(29.03)
73.61
(28.98)
73.84
(29.07)
73.79
(29.05)
73.74
(29.03)
73.99
(29.13)
73.81
(29.06)
73.83
(29.07)
73.81
(29.06;
73,76
(29.04)
73.69
(29.01)
1 P.M.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
%
49
53
46
40
51
56
56
58
59
50
58
68
RESULTANT WIND
SPEED
KPH fMPHJ
8.7
(5.4)
7.4
(4.6)
3.9
(2.4)
5.1
(3.2)
2.6
(1.6)
5.1
(3.2)
1.0
(0.6)
2.4
(1.5)
2.7
(1.7)
8.5
(5.3)
6.9
(4.3)
9.7
(6.0)
DIRECTION
24
23
25
27
21
24
36
26
27
25
27
26
COMMENTS
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/7-79-062
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOI*NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Environmental Assessment of Surface Mining Methods:
Kead-of-Hollow Fill and Mountaintop Removal
5. REPORT DATE
July 1979 issuing date
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Skelly & Loy
Engineers-Consultants
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Skelly and Loy
2601 North Front Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
EHE623
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-03-2356
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory-Cincinnati
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, Ohio U5268
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Interim 11/75-1/77
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
600/12
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
This volume was prepared for Skelly and Loy by John D. Robins and John C. Hutchins
16. ABSTRACT
This study explores the environmental impact of the mining and reclamation
techniques employed in West Virginia and Kentucky mountaintop removal and head-of-
hollow fill sites. The project is divided into four major phases, the first three
of which are discussed in this Interim Report: I. State-of-the-Art Review,
II. General Environmental Assessment of West Virginia and Kentucky Mines Sites,
III. Intensive Mine Site Monitoring and Environmental Assessment in Both States,
and IV. Evaluation and Update of Construction Guidelines.
In addition to a comprehensive literature review completed during Phase I, a
series of detailed investigations was conducted at ten mine sites in West Virginia
and Kentucky over a period of one year. The purpose of these investigations was
to assess the impacts of variable physical factors such as geology, topography,
and climatology in relation to the mining and reclamation criteria employed. Study
mine site case histories are presented, as well as conclusions and recommendations
drawn from data and observations gathered during this course of study.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
a-
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COSATI Field/Group
Overburden
i Reclamation
Soil Stabilization
Surface Mining
Water Quality
Environmental Assessment
Head-of-Hollow Fills
Highway Waste Disposal
Sites
Mountaintop Removal Mining
Kentucky
West Virginia
OBI50A
08M 500
13B 68C
13M 68D
89
48A 91A
48G
ART?
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
Unclassified
21.
NO. OF PAGES
220
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1979 — 657-060/5348
------- |