Surface Mine Reclamation at the Elkins Mine Drainage Demonstration Project After 17 Years

摘要

In 1968 approximately 640 acres of land disturbed by coal mining were reclaimed and revegetated. The revegetation approach included the use of lime and fertilizer followed by seeding with a grass/legume mixture. In the steeper areas pine trees were also planted. In areas designated for forest planting, a mixture of pines and deciduous trees was utilized. The revegetated areas were evaluated in 1971, 1973, 1976, 1984, and 1985. The paper discusses the results of the latter two evaluations.