U4L4 Land Reclamation Flashcards
What is the definition of land reclamation?
To restore land degraded from mining operations
What is the definition of mitigate?
To offset, make less severe, or alleviate
What did the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act do?
Mining companies must get a permit before mining can happen. also, the company must present a detailed reclamation plan for the area when the mine is closed.
What are the 3 major components of reclamation?
- Replacing and reforming land that has been dug
- Cleaning up environmental hazards and contamination
- Revitalizing ecosystems through appropriate vegetation and wildlife introduction or development of land for appropriate use.
What changes were brought upon the mining sites before the Reclamation act existed?
Nothing, they are still in need of reclamation.
What is the challenge about the reclamation plan?
Arriving at agreements about exactly how successful reclamation will be defined and monitored
What professions is usually needed to succeed in standards and measurements (aka the plan for reclamation)?
To establish standards and measurements of success, the advice and skill of a large range of experts, including soil scientists, hydrologists, engineers, aquatic biologists, and water quality specialists, is sought.
Reclamation can be very expensive, often running to more than ___million for a small site.
$1.5
How do they get the money to reclaim the land!
The mining company itself, federal grants, government-collected mining fees, partnerships for development, and environmental nonprofit organization grants.
Describe the possible issues with reclamation of the phosphate mining site listed by the blogger.
The blogger mentions a new sinkhole near her house. She also talks about water contaminated with lead and other metals. Wildlife numbers are also reduced.
How might a more detailed analysis of a land reclamation affect future mining?
The guidelines for determining a successful reclamation might need to be more rigorous. If not, local citizens may protest against and try to block the opening of any new phosphate mining operations.
A mining company’s land reclamation plan is not accepted because the plan fails to include a system for monitoring local water quality. What issue related to land reclamation is this an example of?
standards and measurement issue
