Backfilling

In backfilling, three major areas of long-term concern are (I) slope stability, (2) ground-
water control, and (3) water quality maintenance (Phelps, et aI., 1981). The primary
source of slope failure is the prolonged action of water through erosion and mass wasting.
The primary result of water's actions on slopes is erosion and sediment production. Long
uninterrupted slopes are undesirable as compared to ones with terraces and diversions
that decrease slope lengths and direct runoff water to safe outlets. Additionally, while
backfilling, the permeability of the fill for water percolation can be modified. Such
modifications are achieved by sealing or leaving the coal seam open, and by selective
placement of the spoil. One of the concerns of water quality control in addition to the acid
potential is the sediment. The interconnection between slope stability and water quality
(sediment) is enhanced by apparently conflicting approaches to these problems. Gross
stability is enhanced by establishing grade and cover to minimize water infiltration and
permeation. Conversely, erosion and sediment control are achieved by encouraging
infiltration and permeation to minimize runoff. The proper approach would entail, first, the
establishment of as heavy a cover crop after backfilling as possible to encourage
vegetative interception and evaportranspiration as opposed to surface or subsurface
runoff. However, not all of the water can be handled in this manner