Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Crab Orchard Creek Watershed TMDL Implementation Plan
Final Report 69
6.2 Summary of BMPs for Coal Mining Operations
About four percent of the total watershed area in Crab Orchard Creek is mined land and approximately
440 acres of mined land are identified as requiring reclamation (WCSWCD, 2007). The Marion County
USDA estimated that about 1,171 acres of abandoned mined land contributes impairment in the
watershed. These mines contribute to both the pH and manganese impairments. The BMPs that are
applicable to mitigating the impacts of AMD are summarized in Table 6-2 and include the anticipated
reductions for each BMP and parameter. If a BMP is not expected to significantly reduce loading of a
specific parameter, the reduction for that BMP is then labeled not applicable (“na”). If a BMP is expected
to reduce pollutant loading, but no studies were found to quantify the reduction, then the reduction is
labeled “unknown”.
Table 6-2. Summary of BMPs Reducing Impairments Due to Abandoned Mine Lands.
BMP
Phosphorus
Reduction
(percent)
Manganese
Reduction
(percent)
Acidity
Reduction, pH
(percent)
Sulfate
Reduction
(percent)
Additional Benefits for
Sediment and Dissolved
Oxygen Impairments
Land Reclamation unknown unknown unknown unknown
Reducing nutrient loads to
streams may reduce algal
growth and related
dissolved oxygen problems.
Aerobic/Anaerobic
Wetlands 42 17 - 81 43 69
53 to 81 percent reduction
in TDS. Slows runoff and
may reduce quantity via
infiltration, evaporation, and
transpiration.
Open Limestone
Channels na 100 47 28 Significantly convert from
net acidity to net alkalinity.
Anoxic Limestone
Drain na 0 - 58 40 na Significantly convert from
net acidity to net alkalinity.
Vertical Flow
Reactor na 0 65 unknown Produces net alkalinity,
enhances sulfate reduction.
Pyrolusite
Process na 92 64 unknown Produces net alkalinity and
low-metal discharge.
6.3 Summary of BMPs for Urban Land Sources.
Urban land sources of pollutants include urban runoff (transport of sediments and lawn fertilizers), point
source discharges (CSOs and sewer treatment plant discharges), onsite wastewater treatment system
discharges, and domestic pet waste. Based on the available data, urban land contributes to the metal
loading (especially manganese), phosphorus, and suspended solids loads. BMPs that will help to reduce
impairments from urban land sources are summarized in Table 6-3 and include the anticipated reductions
for each BMP and parameter. If a BMP is not expected to significantly reduce loading of a specific
parameter, the reduction is labeled not applicable (“na”). If a BMP is expected to reduce pollutant
loading, but no studies were found to quantify the reduction, then the reduction is labeled “unknown.”
