Waterfowl habitats on reclaimed surface mined lands in southwestern Illinois

Conference · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5432910

O'Leary, W G; Klimstra, W D; Nawrot, J R

Loss of quality wetland habitat is probably the most important factor affecting populations of waterfowl in the United States. To counteract this problem programs for protecting critical habitats have been established and research for innovative methods to create wetlands are being pursued. Recently, attention has been given to evaluation of wetland habitats on lands surface-mined and to methods of reclamation to enhance their development as part of future planning. These data indicate quality wetland habitats can be a legitimate aspect of reclaimed surface-mined lands; and selective overburden handling, grading so as to maximize biologically productive zones and selective plantings contribute importantly to their value. Currently bond release criteria by the Illinois regulatory authority for wildlife habitat and developed water resources discourages reclamation that would maximize quality wetland habitats. Suggested changes in these criteria include alternative vegetation requirements for wetland habitats, more leniency on seasonally inundated shallow water areas, and variation from topsoil requirements when adequate unconsolidated substitute material is available. It is believed that such allowances would result in incentives for the industry to develop wetland habitats so vital to continued enjoyment of waterfowl resources.

• Research Organization: Illinois Dept. of Mines and Minerals, Marion
• OSTI ID: 5432910
• Report Number(s): CONF-841204-
• Journal Information: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Conference: National symposium on surface mining, hydrology, sedimentology and reclamation, Lexington, KY, USA, 2 Dec 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
SURFACE MINING
LAND RECLAMATION
WETLANDS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
HABITAT
ILLINOIS
PLANNING
POPULATION DYNAMICS
REGULATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SURFACE MINING ACTS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION V
LAWS
MINING
MINING LAWS
NORTH AMERICA
USA
010900* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
550100 - Behavioral Biology
290400 - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources