SPECIAL PUBLICATION NO. 27


remain they could be severely affected by peat mining activities. Randy
Kautz (Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, personal communica-
tion, 1983) expressed concern for selected habitats of the Florida Black
Bear.


 RECLAMATION OF MINED PEATLANDS


 by
 Paulette Bond

 Farnham (1979) notes that in a number of European nations, reclama-
tion of mined peatlands has been common practice for many years.
Mined areas are used for crop production, tree production, conservancy
areas, wildlife habitats and lakes or ponds. Ireland and Poland commonly
use mined peatlands for forage and grass production. In a recent consid-
eration of reclamation of mined peatlands (King, et al., 1980), primary
purposes were cited as provision for long-term erosion control and drain-
age and mitigation of environmental and socioeconomic effects of min-
ing by improving the value of the land.
 Farnham, et al. (1980) note that reclamation should preferably be con-
sidered before removing peat for energy purposes. King, et al. (1980)
optimistically suggest that reclamation programs could create lands with
superior recreational and wildlife habitat values. These researchers also
note that drained organic soils may have great economic value as agricul-
tural or forest lands. It should be noted that experience gained in the
Everglades Agricultural Area supports the economic viability of farming
drained organic soils. However, the rate of subsidence of organic soils in
the Florida Everglades Agricultural Area is well known and suggests that
this type of reclamation might not be a feasible long-term solution for use
in Florida's mined peatlands. In order to achieve an approved reclamation
plan, clean-up and possible permanent drainage control may be indicated
(King, et al., 1980).
 King, et al. (1980) have prepared a list of environmental parameters
affecting reclamation options. They include 1) seasonal fluctuations in
groundwater level, 2) soil fertility and drainage characteristics, 3) the
amount of residual peat remaining after mining, 4) trafficability (the abil-
ity of the bog surface to support vehicles and machinery), and 5) number
and types of lakes and streams. In addition, factors which control site
specific reclamation programs are tabulated by the same authors. That
information is presented in Table 9. In examining Table 9, it is important
to note that factors tabulated are independent of each other. Thus, a
small development might be harvested by wet methods. The private
single owner of this small development might choose to let the mined-out
area become a lake (open water), since drainage could prove difficult and
undesirable assuming water tables in the area were high.