Coal - Energy Policy Analysis: A Conceptual Framework - page 22

runoff of poor-quality water and erosion from spoil piles; recharge of poor-quality water to
shallow groundwater aquifers; or flow of poor-quality water to nearby streams. This may con-
taminate both groundwater and nearby streams for long periods. Lakes formed in abandoned
surface mining operations are more likely to be acidic if there is coal or carbonaceous shale
present in spoil piles, especially if these materials are near the surface and contain pyrites
(OSM 1979).
Wildlife and Vegetation
Surface mining of coal causes direct and indirect damage to wildlife. The impact on wildlife
stems primarily from disturbing, removing, and redistributing the land surface. Some impacts
are short-term and confined to the mine site; others may have far-reaching, long-term effects.
The most direct effect on wildlife is destruction or displacement of species in areas of excava-
tion and spoil piling. Mobile wildlife species like game animals, birds, and predators leave
these areas. More sedentary animals like invertebrates, many reptiles, burrowing rodents, and
small mammals may be directly destroyed. If streams, lakes, ponds, or marshes are filled or
drained, fish, aquatic invertebrates, and amphibians are destroyed. Food supplies for preda-
tors are reduced by destruction of these land and water species. Animal populations displaced
or destroyed may eventually be replaced from populations in surrounding ranges, provided
the habitat is eventually restored (OSM 1979). An exception could be extinction of resident
endangered species.
Many wildlife species are highly dependent on vegetation growing in natural drainages. This
vegetation provides essential food, nesting sites, and cover for escape from predators. Any activity
that destroys this vegetation near ponds, reservoirs, marshes, and wetlands reduces the quality and
quantity of habitat essential for waterfowl, shore birds, and many terrestrial species. The commonly
used head-of-hollow fill method for disposing of excess overburden is of particular significance
to wildlife habitat in some locations. Narrow, steep-sided, V-shaped hollows near ridge tops are
frequently inhabited by rare or endangered animal and plant species. Extensive placement of spoil
in these narrow valleys eliminates important habitat for a wide variety of species, some of which
may be rendered extinct (OSM 1979).
Broad and long-lasting impacts on wildlife are caused by habitat impairment. The habitat
requirements of many animal species do not permit them to adjust to changes created by land
disturbance. These changes reduce living space. The degree to which a species or an individual
animal tolerates human competition for space varies. Some species tolerate very little disturbance.
In instances where a particularly critical habitat is restricted, such as a lake, pond, or primary
breeding area, a species could be eliminated. Large mammals and other animals displaced from
their home ranges may be forced to use adjacent areas already stocked to carrying capacity (OSM
1979). Overcrowding usually results in degradation of remaining habitat, lowered carrying capacity,
reduced reproductive success, increased interspecies and intraspecies competition, and potentially
greater losses to wildlife populations than the number of originally displaced animals.
Loss of Topsoil
Removal of soil and rock overburden covering the coal resource, if improperly done, causes burial
and loss of topsoil, exposes parent material, and creates vast, infertile wastelands. Pit and spoil
areas are not capable of providing food and cover for most species of wildlife. Without rehabili-
tation, these areas must weather for some period, which may take a few years or many decades,