American Electric Power's commitment to responsible environmental practices
is reflected in words and actions. The company's adoption of a corporate wide
Environmental Leadership Goal pledges it to seek the most effective ways to
protect and enhance the environment while providing reliable electricity at
a competitive cost. ReCreation Land is just one excellent example of how AEP
strives to go beyond complying with legal requirements. A variety of conservation
organizations have recognized AEP for its voluntary Outdoor Recreation beyond what
reclamation laws mandate. This land not only has been reclaimed, it's been
recreated into a recreational destination for you and your family to enjoy.
Agriculture dominated the economy here until the 1940s when harvests dwindled,
the population declined and land values dropped. But such farm country is often
good coal country. And here, beneath layers of clay, limestone and shale, lie
some of Ohio's richest coal reserves. This coal is important in the production
of electricity and in 1947, Central Ohio Coal Company, an AEP subsidiary, began
mining here and has moved more than 2 billion cubic yards of earth - eight
times more than the Panama Canal - yielding 110 million tons of coal.
Mining coal that may be buried as deep as 180 feet is a massive operation.
First, trees and vegetation on the surface of the land are removed. The merchantable
sawtimber and pulpwood is harvested and sold to lumber and paper mills. Topsoil
is carefully collected and taken to storage areas, where it remains until mining
is completed and reclamation of the land begins. To expose the seam of coal,
hundreds of thousands of tons of overburden - the earth that lies above the
coal - must be removed.
Reclamation of the land begins almost immediately once mining is completed.
Surface mining and reclamation laws during 1940 through 1972 required that
trees be planted as the final vegetative cover. That type of reclamation
produced the lovely forested hills and valleys that make up the heart of
ReCreation Land and includes 63 million trees which have been planted. In
1972 new surface mining and reclamation laws were enacted that now result
in gently rolling grasslands that are well suited for pasture or hayland.
Under current reclamation
practices, the earth that was
removed from over the coal
seam is put back into place.
The land is backfilled and
graded to create the contours
designated in the reclamation
plans. Water run-offs, created
to protect against soil erosion,
feed into the ponds and lakes
built into the reclaimed land.
The topsoil that was removed
before the land was mined is
distributed over the area;
fertilizers are used to improve
the quality of the soil. Finally,
the area is sown with a variety
of grasses, which protect the
soil from erosion and restore
the land for useful purposes.
Each year, several hundred
acres are reclaimed in these
Southeast Ohio coal fields.
Since 1981, AEP has received
over 45 land management and
habitat awards for its land
Outdoor Recreation activities from
various organizations, including
the US Department of Interior,
the US Department of Energy,
Edison Electric Institute,
American Forest Council, National
Wild Turkey Federation, Renew
America, the Ohio Mining and
Reclamation Association, the
Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, the Ohio Division
of Wildlife, the Ohio Forestry
Association, Wildlife Habitat
Council, and the Buckeye Trail
Association.
Central Ohio Coal Company's
exemplary reclamation has accounted
for 28 of these awards. In
1998, ReCreation Land was recognized
by the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources as the largest single
outdoor recreation facility
in Ohio. In 1999, the 30,000
acres of ReCreation Land were
certified by the Wildlife Habitat
Council.
Reclamation can produce a remarkable transformation. Thanks to the reclamation
work carried out in the past, what was once generally marginal land is
now a choice vacation area. ReCreation Land is a special place where those
with an appreciation of the great outdoors can come and experience the
beauty and tranquility of nature.
The rolling
hills, trees and grasslands
provide a sheltering habitat
for wildlife and a variety
of recreational opportunities.
A 42,000-acre recreation
area in parts of four counties,
ReCreation Land features
380 campsites and more than
350 lakes and ponds available
for public use at no charge.
More than 100,000 people
visit here each year, providing
an estimated social and economic
benefit in excess of $5 million.
We hope you enjoy your visit.
