RECLAMATION SUCCESS Palmer Coking Coal Company
McKay Section 12 Surface Coal Mine
Palmer Coking Coal Company was the recipient of a 1997 Special Reclamation
Award presented by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
for the McKay Section 12 surface coal mine, operated on the east edge of
the City of Black Diamond in King County, Washington from 1982 until 1986.
During this period, approximately 34,655 tons of clean coal was mined from
the McKay and Big Dirty coal seams. Following mining, the site was
reclaimed to its approximate original contour and replanted with grasses,
clover, Douglas fir, noble fir, and Sitka spruce. A series of five
retention/detention facilities with wetpond/wetland characteristics was
also incorporated into the reclamation design.
The McKay Section 12 surface coal mine is an exemplary reclaimed mining
site. The topography is pleasing and suitable for a variety of future land
uses, including proposed residential home sites. The access roads with
vegetated swales provide excellent stormwater control. The regenerated
areas show phenomenal plant and tree growth. The series of stormwater
ponds serve a dual function of retention/detention of stormwater while
providing new wet pond opportunities for plant and animal life.
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1980 |
1985 |
The McKay Section 12 surface coal mine site consisted of approximately
twelve disturbed acres. Areas reclaimed for retention/detention facilities
with wetpond/wetland characteristics comprised about one acre or 8% of the
reclaimed site.
Palmer Coking Coal Company (PCCC), whose historic roots in the coal, clay,
and sand and gravel mining industry go back to 1912, operated this surface
coal mine under the auspices of the Washington State DNR. While the Office
of Surface Mining had regulatory oversight, the actual permitting,
bonding, and reclamation was conducted through and in accordance with DNR
regulations. The reclamation bond for the McKay Section 12 surface coal
mine was released by the DNR in April 1986 following reclamation
activities.
Mining activities at the McKay Section 12 surface coal mine included an
innovative approach to mining, stormwater control, and reclamation. Two
coal seams existed on site: the Franklin No. 13 seam or "Big Dirty" and
the Franklin No. 14 seam or ''McKay". The Big Dirty lies stratigraphically
and topographically below the McKay seam. Both seams lie essentially
parallel to the Green River Gorge Road and parallel to the topographic
lines on this north-facing hillside. The coal seams dip south into the
hillside at a 45-55_ pitch.
Prior to mining, the site was logged of merchantable timber. Excess brush
and logging debris were piled and burned. Topsoil was preserved in a
series of stockpiles placed close to proposed mining areas. Initial mining
of a limited nature was conducted on the Big Dirty seam. This long, linear
pit along the strike line of the coal seam was then used for stormwater
control during the more extensive mining of the McKay seam. By utilizing
the pit created by initial mining of the Big Dirty seam for stormwater
control, the water quality and erosion prevention activities on site were
in place when extensive mining began on the McKay seam. During final site
reclamation three years later, the wetpond/wetland characteristics of the
retention/detention ponds in the Big Dirty seam were already well
established. In addition, short highwalls on the Big Dirty seam created
unique bird habitat adjacent to those retention/detention ponds. |
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1990 |
1995 |
Topographically, the McKay Section 12 surface coal mine site was reclaimed
to its approximate original contours while providing improved access roads
for future land use activities. Grass-lined swales were installed along
these roads and several interior conveyance ditches were created to
facilitate water flow. Interior conveyance ditches also served the
function of recharging on site stormwater facilities.
Restoration of the site occurred during mining on reclaimed segments, and
at the cessation of mining on the remainder of the site. Following the
replacement of topsoil, the reclaimed slopes were lightly compacted using
bulldozer tracks parallel to the contours. This technique created ideal
conditions for growth of grasses and clovers and also reduced erosion.
Douglas fir, noble fir and Sitka spruce seedlings were then planted in
areas which would favor the growth of each species. Red alder and
cottonwood seedlings colonized portions of the site while a variety of
wetland species colonized the retention/detention ponds. After the trees
were well established, cattle were allowed to graze certain areas of the
site to minimize the competition presented to the trees by the quick
growing grasses and clovers.
The McKay Section 12 surface coal mine operated directly adjacent to
several historic homesites. The mine shared an access road with two homes.
Blasting activities to loosen the sandstone/bedrock formation were a
source of concern to nearby residents. Personnel from PCCC kept in close
contact with local residents and responded quickly to any concerns. Nearby
residents were telephoned directly prior to any blasts. Roads were kept
well graveled and watered as necessary. The McKay Section 12 surface coal
mine was operated during a period in which the proposed John Henry No. 1
mine was being permitted. The nearby John Henry mine was a source of
considerable public controversy. As such, the McKay Section 12 surface
coal mine was often the object of intense scrutiny by opponents of the
proposed John Henry mine. PCCC personnel expended considerable effort in
educating neighbors, residents, and public officials about the nature of
an open pit surface coal mine, and its reclamation possibilities. Palmer
officials were aided in this education effort by the company's historic
commitment to excellence in mining and reclamation as evidenced by the
Fulton, McKay, Gem, Frazier, and Rogers surface coal mines operated by the
company from the 1950s to the 1980s. |
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