Wetlands as a Compatible Land Use on Coal Surface Mines

As wetlands continue to disappear at an alarming rate throughout the nation, it seems prudent to look for opportunities to offset these losses with carefully planned restoration. Surface mining, which historically has had negative impacts on the landscape, may offer some realistic and inexpensive restoration options. Water management during mining operations is a constant challenge- excess water must be diverted from the site, runoff with heavy sediment loads treated, and surface and groundwaters segregated from potentially toxic materials. Under certain conditons, the quantity and quality of water occurring on a surface mine may favor some solutions to flooding, sedimentation, and pollution problems.