AECI Fescue Mitigation
by Kale Horton, Aug 14, 2006

Office of Surface Mining Mid-Continent Region personnel used mobile computing technologies provided through the national TIPS program assessing the condition and suitability of wildlife habitat inadvertently seeded with Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea).  This habitat assessment was conducted at the Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI) Prairie Hill mine in north-central Missouri.

Prior to Federal implementation of the State program, the Missouri Land Reclamation Program approved a permit revision excluding the future seeding of KY-31 in wildlife habitat on all AECI mine sites due to the potential adverse effects to wildlife.  Subsequent to the permit revision, AECI inadvertently seeded 10 parcels of forested wildlife habitat, totaling 54.1 hectares with a tall fescue ground cover mix at the Prairie Hill Mine.  In order to offset any potential losses identified in the wildlife habitat and aid in bond release, AECI proposed several mitigation sites. 

Real time mobile mapping technology provided through TIPS was used to capture the field data of the wildlife habitat seeded with KY-31 and the wildlife areas proposed for mitigation.  Wildlife habitat models were digitally created in the office using ArcGIS QuickForm applications and downloaded to the mobile computing devices for field application. Wildlife habitat suitability information collected in the field was imported into ArcGIS to quantify the adverse impacts of the affected wildlife habitat and determine the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation.  Through the use of habitat models and technologies provided by TIPS, this study resulted in an efficient solution to a long-standing permit issue.

Kansas Wetland Determination
by Kale Horton, Aug 14, 2006

Office of Surface Mining Mid-Continent Region personnel conducted stream and wetland delineations for two AML restoration projects within the State of Kansas. Spatial information delineating wetland transects, stream course routes, and wetland boundaries were captured in the field using ArcPad applications and mobile devices. Information gathered in the field was imported into ArcGIS software packages to quantify project impacts to waters of the United States as well as aid in mitigation plan design. Mobile computing technologies and ArcGIS software provided through the TIPS program assisted in the development and clear presentation of project activities to obtain the necessary Clean Water Act Section 404 permit approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.