Reclaiming the Future: Reforestation in Appalachia

Since the implementation of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, many opportunities have been lost for the reforestation of surface mines in the eastern United States.

Excessive compaction of spoil material in the backfilling and grading process is the biggest impediment to the establishment of productive forests as a post-mining land use. As the result of reforestation research, a five step Forestry Reclamation Approach is being recommended for successfully establishing productive forests on reclaimed surface mines.

Don Graves, Professor at University of Kentucky Forestry Department explains that "Planting a tree and re-establishing a forest are two different things. We are not just putting trees back on the mine site, but trying to re-establish the function of the forest, which includes enhancing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and stream systems, reduction of erosion and sedimentation, less flooding and cleaner air."

The five steps of the Forestry Reclamation Approach for properly reclaiming surface mined land into a forest are explained on this DVD.

For more information please contact Dr. Chris Barton at barton@uky.edu or visit www.bae.uky.edu/UKReclaimation.