Bond Release Vegetation Criteria (Dennis Neuman and Pam Blicker, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University and Ken Aho and Tad Weaver, Department of Ecology, Montana State University)

Since the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) in 1977, vegetation data have been collected by mine operators to describe pre-mining vegetation and establish baseline data from which vegetation reference areas can be derived. These vegetation reference areas are intended to serve as a standard for comparisons to revegetated areas on reclaimed coal mines to evaluate the success of reclamation for bond release. To date, the reference area data and pre-mine data have not been synthesized in a manner to facilitate statistical equivalency, derivation of revegetation standards, or facilitate appropriate categorization of reference areas and data in relation to some revegetation and postmine land use requirements. Data quality objectives and a quality assurance/quality control system were designed to screen data for inclusion in the database. A relational database has been designed and tested with representative data sets. Multivariate statistics were used to classify vegetation communities at three mine sites and these plant communities were characterized. A final operational database and user manual were written.

Characterization of the Floodplains of Sections of Warm Springs Creek, Anaconda Superfund Site (Dennis Neuman, Stuart Jennings, John Goering, and Pam Blicker, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

As part of remedial design for a severely contaminated floodplain, the chemical characteristics and stability of the streambanks were assessed. Field and laboratory data were generated and a Final Design Report was prepared and submitted to US EPA.

Assessment of Effects of Amendments on Vegetation Performance at a Bentonite Minesite (Dennis Neuman, John Goering, and Pam Blicker, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

A total of 135 experimental plots [15 treatments with 3 fertilized rates nested within each treatment and replicated three times] were implemented on bentonite spoils in the 1980s by staff of the Reclamation Research Unit at Montana State University. Treatments varied from physical manipulations to additions of chemical and biological amendments. The plots were seeded with mixes of plant species. Effects of these amendments and treatments on spoil chemistry and vegetation were documented in several early RRU reports. In April, 2005, a reconnaissance team from the Reclamation Research Unit conducted a qualitative assessment of the vegetation status of the experimental reclamation plots. The purpose of this assessment was to determine which of the treatments support the “best” vegetation. Based on this assessment, soils and vegetation from these “best” plots were then evaluated in July. These treatments were as follows: 1) Treatment #7 – Manure at 112 Mg/ha + H2SO4 at 20 Mg/ha; 2) Treatment #9 – Gypsum at 6.7 Mg/ha + CaCl2 at 17.2 Mg/ha; and 3) MgCl2 Brine. Quantitative evaluation of the vegetation growing on these experimental plots in 2005 revealed the following:

1. The mean vegetation cover values for each treatment, across all replications, were not significantly different among the three chosen treatments. Mean canopy cover values were 21.1% for spoils treated with gypsum and CaCl2, 24.4% for spoils treated with H2SO4 and manure, and 27.3% for spoils amended with a brine of MgCl2. These cover values were markedly lower than those measured in previous years. In 1987 and 1989, the mean percent canopy cover of vegetation growing on the MgCl2 brine treated plots was 39.3% and 46.0%, respectively (Dollhopf et al. 1990). These cover values are greater than the mean value of 27.3% found in 2005. In 1986, mean vegetation cover values measured on the spoils treated with gypsum/CaCl2 and those treated with H2SO4 and manure were 54.0 and 77.6%.
2. Community composition did vary significantly (P < 0.05) among the treatments. Perennial grasses, specifically Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), dominated the vegetation community growing on the spoils treated with MgCl2 brine (Image 2). Perennial forbs, chieflyProstrate summercypress (Kochia prostrata) accounted for the majority of the vegetation growing on the materials initially treated with H2SO4 and manure.
3. Few of the seeded species were found growing on the experimental plots. Many other species have colonized the plots, but they contributed little to vegetation cover or biomass.
4. Mean Aboveground biomass varied from 494 g/m2 for plant of the acid/manure plots to 968 g/m2 for vegetation on the plots treated with CaCl2 and gypsum. Like vegetation cover, the composition of plants contributing to aboveground biomass varied among the three treatments.
5. Level of soil pH across all treatment and depths were very similar with a range of 6.78 to 8.04.
6. The electrical conductivity (EC) of spoil (top 20 cm) treated with H2SO4 and manure was markedly reduced compared to either the control samples or the soils collected from the other treated plots. Correspondingly, the soluble concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and sodium as well as the sodium absorption ratios of the top 20 cm of the acid/manure treated spoils are less than all other samples.
7. The EC and SAR values for the MgCl2 brine-treated spoils have not changed since they were last measured in 1989 (Dollhopf et al. 1990).
8. In 1980, the SAR levels of spoils treated with CaCl2 and gypsum ranged from 16.8 to 47.7 (Dollhopf et al. 1988). Slightly lower SAR levels were found in 2005.
9. The manure incorporated into this treatment (H2SO4 and manure) was clearly visible in the soils profile. However, much of the manure had not decomposed since it was added to the spoils 25 years ago. Roots were abundant to a depth of 45 cm.
10. The depth of the amended zone (gypsum and CaCl2) was clearly defined at 45 cm, and copious roots were found in the soil profile to this depth. The amended zone was visible to a depth of approximately 56 cm. Roots were abundant to 20 cm with fewer observed below this depth in the profile.

East Helena Smelter Superfund Site (Dennis Neuman, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

Reclamation Research Unit scientists continue to advise the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on issues dealing with land reclamation, agricultural land use, ecological risks, and urbanization at this Montana Superfund Site. A summer field tour of impacted lands surrounding the smelter is conducted. The RRU scientists have conducted research and acted as reclamation policy advisors to the EPA for nearly twenty years. Preparations fro completing EPA’s Proposed Plan for remediation of this Superfund Site were initiated in 2005.

Ash Disposal Pond Revegetation(Frank Munshower and John Goering, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

This is a long-term investigation of the potential to revegetate the surface of the coal ash disposal ponds near Colstrip, MT. Permanent reclamation of the ponds is the ultimate goal of this study. Initial objectives were to determine 1) how much soil is necessary over the ash to permit establishment of a permanent vegetation cover; 2) if a diffusion barrier is necessary to seal the ash from the soil and prevent movement of salts into the soil; 3) if topsoil is necessary over the soil layer to provide an adequate plant growth medium; and 4) to determine what plant species should be seeded on the site to insure survival of a permanent plant cover that can be grazed by wildlife and/or livestock. Replicated field plots were constructed of varying materials and depths, with and without barriers, with and without topsoil, and species selection trials were integrated into the experimental design. The hydrologic and vegetation response to the different treatments have been monitored throughout a thirteen-year period.

Long-term Water Quality Monitoring, Colstrip, Montana(Stuart Jennings and John Goering, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

Mining of near surface coal deposits in Montana and Wyoming is a significant commercial industry. The Rosebud Coal member of the Paleocene age Fort Union formation is mined at Colstrip Montana. A large portion of the coal mined is burned on-site for power generation. The large ecological disturbance caused by mining and power generation is a concern to nearby residents, particularly the ranching community downgradient from the mine disturbance. This research project provides twice yearly sample collection of ground, surface and spring water quality to ensure the non-degradation of water quality in ranch lands adjacent to the mine.

Phytostabilization Studies at the Keating Tailings Site (Dennis Neuman, John Goering, and Pam Blicker, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

The objective of conducting a phytostabilization study at the Keating Tailings Site is to provide BLM managers and decisions makers with site specific information and data relating to the implementation, costs, and effectiveness of this technology so that it may be applied to other similar acid metalliferous mine tailing sites administered by BLM. During the 2005 field season, seeding density, and cover were measured, and plant were collected for determine metal concentrations in their tissue. Additional monitoring is scheduled for 2006.

Anaconda Smelter Superfund Site (Dennis Neuman, Stuart Jennings, John Goering and Pam Blicker, Montana State University)

Members of the Reclamation Research Unit are assisting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in evaluation remedial designs and assessing remedial actions being implemented at this large (> 300 square miles) Superfund Site. Land reclamation was selected by the US EPA as the main remedy for large tailings ponds (> 4000 acres), and landscapes contaminated by aerial emissions. Both land restoration research and matters of land management are integrated with EPA policy so that appropriate risk-based cleanup is achieved.

Evaluation of Organic Matter Addition and Incorporation on Steep Cut Slopes (Stuart Jennings and John Goering, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

Fundamental to successful revegetation of highway corridors following disturbance is the creation of a growth environment conducive to the establishment and early survival of the seeded plants. Steep cut slopes present a unique problem. The steepness of cut slopes prevents practical replacement of salvaged topsoil with conventional equipment. The current remedy is simply to broadcast seed and hydromulch the bare slope. These techniques all too often result in marginal plant establishment since germination and initial seedling survival is limited by nutrient poor, rocky substrates characteristic of cut slopes. The resulting poor vegetation establishment leads to increased erosion and sedimentation, occasional slope failure, increased noxious weed growth, and low aesthetic quality. All of these factors except the latter can be expected to substantially increase maintenance costs in the affected areas. The overall research objectives for the project are to: 1) reduce sediment yield and erosion from steep highway cut slopes through amendment with compost; 2) enhance vegetation establishment on steep highway cut slopes through amendment with compost; 3) develop amendment rates, application protocols and techniques for compost addition and incorporation on steep highway cut slopes; 4) implement, monitor and evaluate test plots on steep highway cut slopes; and 5) communicate, report and provide technology transfer of the research findings. Several components have been completed including conducting a review of relevant scientific literature with respect to organic matter amendment addition to enhance plant growth media, and an assessment of their applicability to conditions in Montana, and investigation of methods for organic matter application and incorporation to steep slope areas (greater than 33 percent) through literature review and correspondence with equipment manufactures and contractors. During the 2003 field season test plots were construct on steep highway cut slopes with erosive and/or poorly vegetated parent material, and an evaluation of the equipment and protocols for application and incorporation of compost on steep cut slopes were conducted. Future plans include monitoring of vegetation response on and off the plots.

Optimization of Construction BMP Performance in the Northern Rockies for Enhanced Stormwater Control (Stuart Jennings, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

The overall purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of installed stormwater BMPs under several geological and climatological regimes characteristic of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Data and observations from this investigation will be synthesized and modeled to formulate improved guidelines for BMP construction. Dynamic technology transfer will be employed to disseminate these guidelines and associated documents through interactive, computer-based products including both website and CD media. This project is progressing through five related parts described below:

1. Literature review of existing stormwater BMP guidelines from Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming;
2. Inventory of BMPs utilized in Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) filed with State regulatory offices in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming;
3. Assessment and evaluation of the apparent effectiveness of these BMPs as installed in the field;
4. Data interpretation, computer modeling and synthesis of the assembled information;
5. Technology transfer utilizing several media formats with emphasis placed on delivering design guidelines to permittees.

Vegetation and Soils Monitoring of Reclaimed Abandoned Mine Sites
Administered by Bureau of Land Management (Dennis Neuman, Reclamation Research Unit, Montana State University)

This project involves development of a monitoring program to determine the effectiveness of past reclamation practices applied to abandoned mine land sites administered by the Bureau of Land Management in Southwestern Montana. As part of the monitoring program, baseline data are to be gathered to determine changes in vegetation and soils. These data and supporting information will then be used by the Bureau of Land Management to schedule maintenance of these areas as necessary to provide continued integrity of the reclamation.