Coal Impoundment Location and Warning System www.coalimpoundment.org John Quaranta, Ph.D., P.E. WV Water Research Institute West Virginia University Pennsylvania’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation & Coal Mining Heritage Conference August 12 - 14, 2008 State College, PA

The Coal Impoundment Location and Warning System is a pilot project developed by the: Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) Wheeling Jesuit University West Virginia University’s Water Research Institute National Energy Technology Laboratory Center for Educational Technologies Clifford M. Lewis S.J. Appalachian Institute at Wheeling Jesuit International Union of Operating Engineers

Project Contributors • Mine Safety and Health Administration • Peabody Energy • West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection • Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition • West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey • Verizon • West Virginia Highlands Conservancy • Kentucky Dept. of Mines and Minerals • Pennsylvania Bureau of Deep Mine Safety • Raleigh County 9-1-1 • Massey Energy Company • Coal River Mountain Watch • WV Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training • Office of Surface Mining • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • Consol Energy • Virginia Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy

Aerial view of impoundment number 2 showing the location where the toe blew out as a result of the plugged decant pipe.

Introduction: Martin County, Oct. 11, 2000 Martin County Coal Company’s Big Branch Slurry Impoundment broke through an underground mine. 309 million gallons of coal slurry was released. Deemed the “worst environmental disaster in the southeastern U.S.” The National Academy of Sciences has since made recommendations to improve safety and reduce environmental impacts of coal waste impoundments.

Introduction: The Project Purpose: To provide public awareness of impoundments. To develop a web site that provides details of coal slurry impoundments and emergency information. To address the recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences.

The Web Site Information: Locations of impoundments in: WV, PA, KY, TN, OH First responders and emergency action plans History of coal impoundments and impoundment failures Alternatives to impounding coal waste

The Web Site: Locating Impoundments Locating Tool #1: The Zoom Feature

The Web Site: Locating Impoundments Zoom 1

The Web Site: Locating Impoundments Zoom 2

The Web Site: Locating Impoundments Locating Tool #2: The Search Field Appears on every page User can search for impoundments by typing: State (KY, OH, PA, TN, WV) County Zip code Impoundment name

The Web Site: Locating Impoundments Locating Tool #3: A-Z Listing of Impoundments Can be sorted by: Impoundment name County MSHA identification number Coal company name

The Web Site: Locating Impoundments Locating Tool #4: Interactive Mapping User can access topographic maps and aerial photography for impoundments in the state of WV. There are multiple layers of information: Coal Related Impoundments Zip Codes Interstate Highways Counties Evacuation Points/Areas Cities and Towns Rivers/Streams Roads

Routing Plan w/ Road Blocks, Evacuation Centers

Zoom-In to Layers w/ Road Block, Evacuation Centers,

Impoundment with Evacuation Area and Routing

Underground Mining Layer

Areal Photo, Evacuation Routing, Underground Mining

USGS Topographic Mapping w/population

The Web Site: Responders and Plans Full-Text Form

Summary form includes most pertinent information: The Web Site: Responders and Plans Emergency Action Plans Summary form includes most pertinent information: Emergency phone numbers Evacuation plans Actions and responsibilities of first responders Contact phone numbers

Summary Form

Volumes ranged from 1,000 to 309,000,000 gallons The Web Site: Failures Database Volumes ranged from 1,000 to 309,000,000 gallons Spills resulting in coal slurry leaving company property appear to be increasing over the past two decades May be result of more reporting May be result of age of impoundments in relationship to their original engineering design

The Web Site: Failures Database Coal slurry impoundment releases and causes 1972-2003.

The Web Site: Failures Database

Review: Three Points To provide public awareness of impoundments. To develop a web site that provides details of coal slurry impoundments and emergency information. To address the recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences.

National Academy of Sciences Recommendations Alternative Technologies / Uses for coarse and fine coal refuse. mapping and characterization of refuse materials for use as feedstock for waste coal fired power plants & coal-to-liquid technologies. Instrumentation technology development for real-time data collection and emergency warning systems. FEMA-Table Top Reviews of Emergency Action plans with coal operators, regulators, responders. Robotics for underground mapping and mine rescue. Geosynthetic fabric research for coal particle filtration. Bacteria research for methane production. Guidance Document Development.

Alternative Uses for Impoundments

Communication signal and relay vectors

FEMA Table Top Review of Emergency Action Plan

Impoundment Guidance Documents

In Conclusion: The Coal Slurry Impoundment project web site www.coalimpoundment.org provides citizens, emergency responders, and industry with information to enhance the safety of impoundments and explore alternatives to impounding coal waste. Project continues to address National Academy report findings & collaborate with US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and State regulatory agencies to promote safer impoundments through outreach and research.