BUREAU OF GEOLOGY


Farms mine does not involve either of the special issues-wet reclama-
tion or perpetual pumping-which are addressed below. These special
issues will require expert consideration beyond the scope of this report or
of previous mining permit actions. In any event, the reclamation ques-
tions presented by mining in such areas warrant the detailed attention
called for in part (2).
 "The State can implement all four parts of this general policy on siting
 peat mines under the Mining Act on grounds of "unduly adverse" effects
 on freshwater, estuarine, or marine fisheries. General Statute 113-230
 may also permit the secretary to designate buffer zones to protect estua-
 rine resources. The most noticeable effect of this recommendation, par-
 ticularly part (2), would be to create a buffer zone for peat mining along
 both shores of the Alligator River in Dare, Hyde and Tyrrell counties.
 Implementation of part (2) should be related closely to implementation of
 several recommendations of the Governor's Coastal Water Management
 Task Force. The resources inventory and mapping effort recommended
 there will be most useful in future peat deliberations.
 "This recommendation does not specifically address questions related
to peat mining on federal lands in North Carolina. Most of the land in
national wildlife refuges and in the bombing range in Dare County would
fall under part (2). However, the large peat deposits in the Croatan
National Forest would not. The task force recommends that coordination
should be initiated with federal agencies concerning peat mining on fed-
eral lands, and that special attention be given to any changes proposed in
the Croatan National Forest management plan. The pocosin in the Great
Lake area of the national forest has been relatively undisturbed and the
area may be a prime candidate for preservation as a natural area.
 "The task force has not specifically addressed the question-of mining
peat in Carolina bays. As the recommendation is worded, Carolina bays
would fall in part (4) and mining would be permitted. It seems unlikely
that large-scale mining will occur in Carolina bays because of the rela-
tively small amount of peat in any one bay. However, a ready market for
peat to fuel power plants could put pressure on the bays due to their
proximity to power plants. The task force suggests that the Carolina
bays be included in those areas for which mining permits not be issued
pending the completion of an ecological inventory of them as natural
areas and the development of a protection and conservation plan for
Carolina bays.
5. Need for Long-Range Policy on Peat Mining and Its Cumulative
Impacts
 "DNRCD should develop a long-range policy on the ultimate extent of
peat mining which will be allowed and on the total land area which can be
disturbed at any given time. The issues of impacts on wildlife and pri-
mary nursery areas should receive special attention in this respect. This
policy should be developed for the Secretary's consideration by the
Department's peat working group, working under the direction of the
Assistant Secretary for Natural Resources.