Mined Land Subsidence Impacts on Farmland with Potential Application to Illinois: A Literature Review

摘要

The report summarizes a Bureau of Mines review of selected literature on the effects of subsidence due to high-extraction underground coal mining of farmland areas. The data are presented for consideration in evaluating the subsidence effects due to similar mining techniques on the prime farmland areas of Illinois. The main subsidence concern is flooding, as caused by the lowering of the ground surface, and the subsequent effects on crop production. Positive drainage must be maintained in the farmlands, and the need exists for extensive regional planning by the mining and agricultural industries to maximize short- and long-term production from both efforts. The Bureau is cooperating with the State of Ilinois to develop basic information necessary for such planning.