Economic and environmental impact of back-to-contour reclamation legislation in Appalachia

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Energy Syst. Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6050160

Bohm, R A; Schlottmann, A

Much of the debate that surrounded attempts to enact a Federal surface mine reclamation law centered on the economic impact of requiring back-to-approximate-original contour reclamation. This issue continues to be controversial as the regulations to administer the Surface Mine and Reclamation Act of 1977 are developed and begin to be implemented. In this paper, four important issues relating to back-to-contour reclamation are addressed: (1) the incremental cost of back-to-contour reclamation is examined; (2) the controversial question of production loss and other productivity issues are analyzed; (3) economic efficiency and resource recovery aspects of back-to-contour reclamation are assessed within the context of relaxing existing bench limitations on contour surface mines; and (4) the impact of back-to-contour reclamation techniques on environmental quality is assessed. The final section of this paper presents some conclusions and policy recommendations. 17 references.

• Research Organization: Unvi. of Tennessee, Knoxville
• OSTI ID: 6050160
• Journal Information: Energy Syst. Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Syst. Policy; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN ESYPB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
294001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
AESTHETICS
APPALACHIA
BACKFILLING
COAL MINING
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LAND RECLAMATION
LAWS
LEGISLATION
MINING
MINING LAWS
NORTH AMERICA
SURFACE MINING
SURFACE MINING ACTS
USA