Group visits coal fields
Three Chadron State College students and two professors, Dr. Chuck Butterfield in agriculture and Dr. Mike Leite in geology, spent a couple of days during the recent spring break learning about the effects of coal mining and coal bed methane development on water and rangelands in the Gillette area.
One of the visits was at the Jacobs Ranch Mine south of Gillette. The mine owners have been recognized several times for their reclamation efforts. A few miles to the north, the CSC group visited the Cordero Rojo Mine. Blasting is needed at this mine to make the coal available. It is a dragline operation while the Jacobs mine uses huge front end loaders and trucks to move the coal.
The group also visited the coal bed methane fields north of Gillette to hear about the impacts of this booming industry. Several wells, both those that are established and new ones, were included on the tour.
Butterfield said the water from some of the wells is highly sodic and some is drinkable. Some residents of the area have lost their water sources since the project began, and the influence of these wells on wildlife and the compressor station on humans were discussed with officials who are involved in the project.
The students who participated in the trip included Kati Dean of Newcastle, Wyo., Levi Allbaugh of Gering and Jacque Trumbell of Stapleton.
Category: Campus News, Physical and Life Sciences