A review of reclamation and alternate sediment control at Bridger Coal Company in southwestern Wyoming
- Environmental Affairs at Bridger Coal Company, Rock Springs, WY (United States)
Bridger Coal Company has reclaimed 630 ha of mined lands. The mine is in a northern cold desert at an elevation of 2,073 m. Annual precipitation is 15-20 cm, high winds are frequent, and evapotranspiration is high. Some soils and spoils are saline or sodic. Early publications predicted that revegetation of surface mines under these growing conditions would be problematic within acceptable time frames. Irrigation was initially required for a mining permit. Subsequent studies showed that irrigation was unnecessary. Live direct-haul soil is used when possible. Hay mulch is applied as needed for erosion control and moisture retention. Most seed is planted with a no-till drill after mulch has been crimped. A diverse seed mixture of native, locally adapted species and varieties is varied according to soil properties. Combinations of microrelief, broadcast seeding, shrub and forb seed mixtures, and snow fences have been used experimentally to improve moisture retention, shrub and forb establishment, and species diversity. Herbaceous production is usually greater on reclamation than on native land. Vegetative cover on reclamation is approximately equal to that on native land. Total cover, which includes litter and rock, is usually lower on reclaimed than on native land. Native shrub species have been successfully reestablished and are self-propagating. Alternate sediment control techniques are in use on mine disturbances. These are based on the following local natural conditions: semiarid climate, highly erosive geology, and ephemeral streams. Sediment control techniques are designed to reduce sediment levels in runoff from reclaimed lands to background levels. Runoff from reclaimed land that is at background sediment level has less impact downstream than water with too much or too little sediment. Monitoring by automatic pump samplers indicates that alternate sediment control techniques cause no additional contributions of sediment downstream.
- OSTI ID:
- 98671
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9506226-; TRN: 95:006357-0019
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 12. American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation annual meeting: decades later - a time for reassessment, Gillette, WY (United States), 3-8 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Decades later: A time for reassessment. Volume 1 and Volume 2; Schuman, G.E. [High Plains Grasslands Research Station, Cheyenne, WY (United States)]; Vance, G.F. [Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)] [eds.]; PB: 889 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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