Introduction - Coal Waste Impoundments: Risks, Responses, and Alternatives - page 18

industry, academia, environmental organizations, labor organizations, and
citizens' groups ( Appendix B ). To obtain input from the public, the committee
held eight town meetings throughout the Eastern coal-mining region. Finally,
the full committee met twice in closed session for discussion and writing. As
background material, the committee reviewed relevant government documents
and materials, pertinent NRC reports, and other technical reports and literature
published through July 2001.
This report is intended for multiple audiences. It contains advice for
MSHA, OSM, other federal agencies, and state regulatory agencies, as well as
policy makers, the coal industry and its consultants, scientists, and engineers.
Chapter 2 gives an overview of the regulatory framework for coal waste
impoundments. Chapter 3 examines issues related to the engineering design for
coal refuse facilities. Chapter 4 discusses site characterization, including mine
mapping, map storage and preservation, and surveying. Chapter 5 addresses
techniques, such as geophysical methods, to locate abandoned mines and other
voids, and hydraulic testing to establish the thickness of barrier pillars.
Chapter 6 discusses ways to limit potential failure modes for the embankment
and basin area. Chapter 7 addresses alternatives to slurry impoundments,
including alternative mining and coal preparation methods, direct utilization of
slurry, and alternative disposal techniques. Chapter 8 summarizes the
committee's conclusions and recommendations. Technical terms are defined in
the glossary ( Appendix C ).
It is important to recognize that this charge specifically directs the
committee to focus its analysis on the engineering and characterization of coal
waste impoundments. The committee was not asked to consider other factors
related to potential impacts of disposing of coal wastes in an impoundment, or
any other disposal option. For example, these factors might include potential
long-term effects on water quality; land use issues, including long-term
stewardship of closed impoundments; and economic and cost-benefit analyses
of alternatives. The committee also was not asked to evaluate the risks of
individual impoundments, examine the qualifications and training of inspectors,
or comment on coal mining policy issues not directly related to impoundments.
Although important, such issues are well beyond the charge to this committee.
Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of these issues would require
considerably more time than was available for the present study.