Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative for Restoring Forests on Mined Land in the United States

More than 630,000 ha of mostly forested land have been disturbed by coal mining in the eastern United States; they are largely unproductive woody scrub.  The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) is a broad-based citizen/industry/government program working to encourage the planting of productive trees on active and abandoned coal-mined lands.  Multiple benefits from this initiative include restoration of clean water and air resources, carbon sequestration, soil conservation, wildlife and endangered species habitat, recreational opportunities, and timber production.  Using a combination of private and governmental resources, the program facilitates and coordinates citizen groups, university researchers, the coal industry, corporations, the environmental community, and local, state, and federal government agencies that have an interest in creating productive forestland on reclaimed mined lands.  Forestry research conducted by various academic institutions has confirmed that highly productive forestland can be created on reclaimed mine land by using a Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA).  The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) and the Appalachian region states have determined that this technology can be implemented under the current state and federal regulations.  The mission of ARRI is to promote and encourage the use  of FRA technology in reclamation of both active and abandoned coal mine sites. This technology includes mine soil selection and placement, re-vegetation for sediment control, and reforestation practices to achieve productive, native, mixed forests.  The development and execution of this multi-agency initiative may serve as an organizational model for other groups whose goal is to restore disturbed landscapes.