Conversion options for mining-affected lands and waters in appalachia

More than 10,000 km² of Appalachia have been surface mined for coal. Surface-mined lands represent an underutilized resource and can be converted to more productive uses that support ecological and human needs. Seeding, fertilization, and vegetation management can convert degraded mine sites to livestockpasture. Mined lands occupied by invasive plants can be made more similar to native ecosystems by controlling non-native species, mitigating soil limitations, and planting native trees. Degraded mine-site streams can be rebuilt to restore hydrologic function and aquatic habitat. If mine soils have suitable properties, appropriate cultural techniques can be applied to produce biomass crops. If geotechnically stable, mined lands can support housing projects, industrial sites, and other large-scale building structures. Due to their wide availability and lack of competing uses, mined lands may prove suitable as locations for renewable energy projects. Mined-land conversions require technical expertise and often require significant expense; when such resources are available, degraded mined lands of the types that are common throughout Appalachia's coalfield can be converted to beneficial uses.