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Apr
7
Written by:
news editor
4/7/2009 1:00 AM
04/07/09 A Coshocton-based mining company has been recognized for increasing the use of trees in its mine land reclamation program.
Oxford Mining Co. Honored for Mine Land Reclamation
COLUMBUS, OH - A Coshocton-based mining company has been recognized for increasing the use of trees in its mine land reclamation program. The firm partnered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to implement the reclamation technique, which improves the state's land and water resources and enhances the wildlife and beauty of previously mined areas.
The Oxford Mining Company, LLC was presented the 2009 Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) Excellence in Reforestation State Award for implementing the Forestry Reclamation Approach to reclaim 100 acres of its Jockey Hollow West mine site in Harrison County. Chuck Ungurean, president of Oxford Mining, accepted the award from ODNR Deputy Director Rich Milleson on April 3 at the Jockey Hollow Wildlife Management Area, ten miles west of Cadiz.
Typically, once an area has been mined, regraded and resoiled, soils are left compacted, which severely limits tree seedling growth and survival when traditional planting methods are used. The Forestry Reclamation Approach uses a non-compacted topsoil and subsoil mixture to create a growth medium that favors the establishment of forest cover. Tree seedlings are then planted directly into six foot piles of soil, which allows increased water penetration to the root zone and deeper rooting, ultimately increasing seedling survival.
"There has been minimum reforestation on mine lands in the past thirty years," said Jeff Emmons, environmental specialist for ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management (DMRM). "The Division provides guidance in proven techniques for the establishment of woody vegetation on mined lands."
In Ohio, in order to receive a mining permit, a mine operator must create a reclamation plan detailing how a mined area will be reclaimed to a usable condition.
The award announcement was in conjunction with the Arbor Day tree planting of 2,080 American Chestnut seedlings. The trees were planted on property that was mined by Oxford Mining, owned by the State of Ohio and managed by the ODNR Division of Wildlife.
In 2008, 2,750 American Chestnuts were planted in the same area. With a total of nearly 5,000 trees, this is now the largest planting of American Chestnuts in the Appalachian Coal Region on a reclaimed mine site.
ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management Inspector Greg Hoffman states the survival rates for the seedlings planted in 2008 is estimated to be between 80 and 90 percent.
Partnering with Oxford Mining are the Ohio University, the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management, Division of Wildlife, Division of Forestry, and The American Chestnut Foundation.
This is the second ARRI award for Oxford Mining. In 2007, the company was commended for working with BARK (Barnesville Area Reforestation Kommittee) to plant trees on mine sites in Belmont County, also using the Forestry Reclamation Approach. More than 200 volunteers helped plant 5,000 trees seedlings, which included ten different tree species.
The ARRI awards program was created to honor active and abandoned coal mine reclamation operations in the Appalachian Region that exemplify the use of the Forestry Reclamation Approach.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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For further information, contact:
Jeff Emmons, ODNR Mineral Resources Management
740. 439. 9079
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
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