Client
National Mining Association

Western Coal Mining Work Group

Water & Earth Technologies, Inc. (WET) conducted erosion and sediment modeling to support a comprehensive and detailed analysis comparing the predicted performance, costs and benefits of the Existing 40 CFR Part 434 Guidelines to the requirements being considered for a Proposed Western Alkaline Coal Mining Subcategory. WET developed a prototype model of a typical western coal mine, including contour mapping (utilizing GIS ARC/INFO and ArcView, and AutoCAD) and corresponding hydrologic and soil databases. Pre-mining and post-mining scenarios were modeled (using RUSLE 1.06, SEDCAD 4.0, ArcView, and

3D GIS Modeling

RUSLE 1.06 Window

 ARC/INFO). Comparisons were made of the sediment loss quantities and associated costs for the existing guidelines (that emphasize sediment pond usage) to proposed guidelines that emphasize the implementation of a Best Management Practice (BMP) system of alternate erosion and sediment control.