Coal - Energy Policy Analysis: A Conceptual Framework - page 16

ficient economic potential to justify proceeding with development planning and feasibility studies
(Christman et al. 1980, 73).
Environmental Costs of Coal Exploration
Exploration for coal produces environmental effects on roadless areas not regularly visited by hu-
mans. Off-road vehicles are generally used for reconnaissance, and their use intrudes into wildlife
habitats, damaging or destroying low-growing vegetation and creating zones of erosion along ruts.
Loss of vegetation combined with reduced natural percolation rates due to soil compaction tends
to increase soil erosion rates. Increased soil erosion increases sediment loads in local streams,
degrading water quality and increasing sedimentation of lakes and ponds.
Exploration activity involving off-road vehicle travel also inhibits regrowth of vegetation.
Soil compaction reduces the ability of soil to absorb water, which further inhibits plant growth
by destroying microorganisms in soil. Where vegetation is destroyed by vehicle use, revegetation
will take anywhere from one growing season in wet climates (Christman et al. 1980) to ten years
in arid locations like the western United States (OSM 1979; USBLM 1975).
Long-term or concentrated off-road vehicle use can drive wildlife from its normal ranges and
disrupt breeding and nesting habits of small mammals and birds (USBLM 1975). Off-road ve-
hicle travel may also damage or destroy archeological or historic sites (U.S. Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation 1978). In some terrain, road construction is a necessary part of exploration
to provide access to drill sites for large equipment. During road construction, all vegetation is
removed. Bulldozing and grading create cut-banks and deposits of surplus soil and other disturbed
material. This surface disturbance increases erosion and sedimentation. Increased suspended sedi-
ments in streams adversely affect aquatic organisms (Christman et al. 1980). Roadways concentrate
runoff and are susceptible to landslides and slope instabilities (USGS 1979). Large-scale surface
disturbance by road construction reduces biological productivity, eliminates terrestrial habitats,
and disturbs the wildlife community by intruding into little used areas. Travel on unpaved roads
produces visible dust that may adversely affect the health of any nearby residents, degrade the
esthetic quality of an area, and adversely affect existing land uses (USBLM 1975). Dust deposits
on vegetation reduce both its productivity and palatability as forage for wildlife and farm animals
(OSM 1979).
Exploration drill holes may penetrate several aquifers and result in leakage between aquifers
and to the surface with possible degradation of water quality (USGS 1979). Drilling activities
can have detrimental impacts on surface water and groundwater, resulting in harm to aquatic
organisms, vegetation, and humans. Lowering the groundwater level in an aquifer can result in
increased pumping costs at nearby wells or can cause wells to go dry. Open holes present a danger
to domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. Improperly plugged drill holes allow surface
water to enter an aquifer. This may be detrimental to groundwater, depending on the quality and
degree of contamination of surface water.
In situations where coal deposits are near the surface, pits are sometimes excavated to obtain
bulk samples for laboratory analysis. Heavy equipment is used to remove overburden and expose
the coal, producing considerable surface disturbance. Vegetation is lost and soils are rearranged,
similar to strip mining operations but on a smaller scale. Where pits are excavated to provide coal
samples, wildlife and domestic stock may be endangered by slope instabilities and potential land-
slides unless pits are backfilled promptly (USGS 1979). Other impacts from exploration drilling
include noise, damage to archeological and historical sites, and possible contamination by drilling
muds and fluids (USBLM 1975).