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ENR 2060 Intro to Reclamation

This course will provide an introduction to the background and techniques in reclaiming western rangelands. Major topics include the principles of ecology, agronomy, soils, hydrology, and other relevant disciplines as applied to mitigate adverse environmental impacts of land disturbance. Prerequisites: Completion of REWM 1300 and GEOL 1470. Completion of SOIL 2010, REWM 2000, and REWM 2500 or concurrent enrollment or instructor permission. (2 lect., 2 lab)

Credits

3 credits

Transfer Status

Transferable to UW.

Major Topics

  • Introduction to Restoration Ecology and Land Reclamation
  • Ecosystem Disturbance and Remediation
  • Reclamation and Mitigation Laws
  • Baseline Assessments: Vegetation, Hydrology, Soils, Wetlands and Wildlife
  • Air Quality Considerations
  • Threatened and Endangered Species Impact Considerations
  • Hydrology Issues: Surface and Groundwater
  • Soil Considerations
  • Seeding techniques
  • Weed ID and control
  • Monitoring
  • Transport and Scale Considerations

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Identify and discuss the overall goals and expectations associated with reclaiming disturbed lands

2. Define and discuss essential ecosystem components and how these apply to the field of reclamation

3. Demonstrate and apply appropriate reclamation and mitigation laws and regulations

4. Identify the components of baseline assessments; demonstrate skills in accessing baseline data from appropriate web and paper sources

5. Define fundamentals of air quality and discuss air quality regulations as they apply to reclamation

6. Outline the key components of the Endangered Species Act as it applies to reclamation sites

7. Apply principles of groundwater and surface water processes to site reclamation

8. Identify key soil orders and discuss the role of soil texture and chemical composition in determining the appropriateness of reclamation efforts

9. Identify baseline vegetation species on potential reclamation sites; discuss and design appropriate seed mixes for a given reclamation site

10. Identify weed species of concern and create a weed management plan for a specific reclamation site

11. Define monitoring; discuss the role of monitoring in reclamation; create a monitoring plan for a specific reclamation site

12. Identify the impacts of transport systems – roads, pipelines, transmission lines etc. on reclamation efforts; discuss reclamation considerations in respect to transport systems