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In 1975, the state legislature created the Alabama Surface
Mining Reclamation Commission to assume the responsibility of licensing,
permitting and regulating surface coal mining in Alabama. In addition to
obtaining a valid license and permit issued by the Commission, the mine operator
is required to post a performance bond of $1,200 per acre to insure that the
required reclamation would be completed. In a few instances, the company may go
out of business before completing reclamation. The Commission will then complete
the reclamation plan using the forfeited bond money. In almost every case, the
reclamation plan is designed to return the area to the pre-mining land use of
either forest, pasture or grazing land.
Jappa Project, 35 Acres reclaimed near Hayden, AL. Before - highwall and pit. |
Jappa Project, After highwall
and pit reclaimed. |
N.P. Mining Washer Project 36 Acres reclaimed near Windham Springs, AL. |
N.P. Mining Washer Project Slurry pond Reclamation |
Post-mining land use changes are made occasionally at the
request of the landowner if it is economically feasible to do so with the bond
money available. Strip and cluster plantings of selected wildlife trees and
habitat provide diversity, which will be useful to a variety of indigenous
wildlife species. Sawtooth oak, cardinal autumn olive, and bi-color lespedeza
are commonly used.
Permanent water impoundments are commonly left following
reclamation. They afford recreational value to the landowner and watering holes
for cattle and wildlife. As of 2001, the Commission had completed 320
projects involving 11,400 acres at a cost of approximately $17,800,000. More
projects are currently in progress while others are in the initial planning
stages.
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