reclamation proposal for limestone quarries in northwest arkansas

Reclamation Proposal for Reclamation Proposal for Limestone Quarries in NorthWest Limestone Quarries in NorthWest

Arkansas Arkansas

• Sabrina Carbó• Tim Payne• Allyson Ransom• Mary Smiley• Audie Weatherford

Instructor:

C. Dianne Phillips

Honors Geology

Project StatementProject Statement

• There is a need for additional and ongoing restoration and beautification within the reclamation process for quarries in NorthWest Arkansas.

• A proposed outline of needs necessary to expand current reclamation processes to make these areas suitable for public recreational, and educational uses.

Project OverviewProject Overview

Proposed Project SiteProposed Project Site

Reclaimed Quarry

Ideas for public & educational uses:

outdoor classroom

walking trail

water park

climbing wall

stock fishing

wildlife refuge

educational research facility

Community Aspect of ProjectCommunity Aspect of Project

• Education

• Recreation

• Beautification

• Safety

Geology Course Content ObjectivesGeology Course Content Objectives

• Sedimentary Processes• Rock Formation -

Limestone/bedrock• Depositional History• Environments of Deposition• Geologic Time Periods/Fossils• Stratigraphy of area • Weathering processes• Economic importance

Methods Methods

• contact the owner• visit the site• take pictures• comparison study

• research• safety• history• grants• costs• academic feasibility• government regulations

Community Contacts Community Contacts

• Schools• Government Agencies – Mayor Biggers• Other Sites• National Stone Association• Site Owner – J & C Hilligas 636-1366• John Van Brahana 575-3355• Elizabeth Bowen (Benton County GIS) • Department of Educational Grants

Time Management Time Management

• Time Line • Sept. 13 – Initial visit of site• Sept. 27 – Appointment with Mayor of Lowell, AR• Sept. 28 – Initial power point presentation• Oct. 17 – First Draft of written report• Nov. 28 – Final Power Point Presentation • Dec. 5 – Final Draft of Written Report Due

Expected Outcome Expected Outcome

• To take a non-productive, non-use site and transform it into an educational or recreational area by offering a proposal that will include cost breakdown and the advantages to the community.

GEOLOGY OF GEOLOGY OF ARKANSASARKANSAS

Fossils of ArkansasFossils of Arkansas

• North Arkansas• (Paleozoic-age)

• Stomatolites• Corals• Brachiopods• Bryozoa• Cinoids• Cephalopods

• Arkansas River Valley• (Mississippian-

Pennsylvanian age)• Corals• Bryozoa• Brachiopods• Crinoids• Bivalves• Gastropods• Cephalopods• Plant Fossils

FOSSILS OF ARKANSAS 2FOSSILS OF ARKANSAS 2

• Searcy and Van Buren counties

• (Mississippian age)• Ammonoids• Nautiloids• Bivalves• Brachiopods• Bryozoa • Plant Material• Blastoids• Crinoids• Gastropods• Shark Teeth• arthropods

• Ouachita Mountains• (Cretaceous age)

• Oyster• Echinoid• Gastropod• Cephalopods• Dinosaur• Dinosaur Tracks• Shark Teeth• Mosasaur• Reptile Teeth and Plates• Fish Parts

Fossilized remains of crinoid, Fossilized remains of crinoid, benthonic marine animalbenthonic marine animal

Ancient sands and sediment layered through millennia resulting in Ancient sands and sediment layered through millennia resulting in fossilized ripples that were later upliftedfossilized ripples that were later uplifted

Arkansas FactsArkansas Facts

• 5 Most valuable non-fuel mineral resources (based on annual production)• Bromine• Crushed stone• Sand/gravel• Clays• Limestone

Plants and Animals of Plants and Animals of ArkansasArkansas

Arkansas Animals

Ivory-billed Eastern Blue jay Northern Cardinal Barn Owl Red-Shouldered

Woodpecker Bluebird Hawk

Mockingbird Goldfinch Scissor-Tailed Bear Deer Elk Flycatcher

Fish Snakes Turkey Ducks Armadillo Beaver

Bob Cat Coyote Crawfish Bald Eagle Gray Fox Mountain Lion

AnimalsAnimals

• The mountains of the state are habitat to a variety of small mammals, including mink, raccoon, skunk, weasel, and woodchuck.

• The plains are the home of deer, rabbit, fox, and the bobcat.

• Birdlife thrives throughout the state and includes pheasant, duck, goose, turkey, and such songbirds as cardinal, robin, mockingbird, and whippoorwill.

• Among the freshwater fish are bass, catfish, perch, and sturgeon.

Common Trees

Pinus ponderosa Juglans nigra Carya ovata - Shagbark Hickory Ponderosa Pine Black Walnut

Betula papyrifera - Paper Birch Quercus alba - White Oak Sassafras albidum – Sassafras

Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum* Platanus occidentalis Malus sylvestris American Sycamore Common Apple (Arkansas State Flower)

Acer species – Maples Cornus florida - Flowering Dogwood

PlantsPlants

• Forests cover about one-half of the total land area of Arkansas.

• Pine forests are found mainly in the SW part of the state.

• Most are covered by a great variety of hardwoods, including ash, buckeye, hackberry, hawthorn, hickory, maple, oak, and cherry.

• Arkansas is also known for its flowering trees and shrubs such as dogwood, azalea, and redbud and for its wild flowers and ferns.

Safety RegulationsSafety Regulations

Questions to considerQuestions to consider

• Do any safety hazards exist or will any be created?

• What measures can be taken to eliminate these hazards?

• If a pond or marsh is constructed, will fencing be necessary?

• Should hand rails be included on bridges?• Do any adjustments need to be made for

handicapped students?

• Railings should be built for all areas that border on cliffs and stairways into the quarry.

• Ramps need to be constructed for wheelchair and handicap access.

• Because this is a natural setting, ponds and marshes should remain in natural state with handicap access being provided for by a sidewalk or path.

• Tables that blend with the environment need to be constructed to offer places for both handicapped and able bodied students to do experiments on.

• Required appropriate clothing should be posted at the entrance of the learning facility and hazards that exist within the quarry.

Hazards to be addressedHazards to be addressed

• First aide kits should be a requirement for all instructors to carry, upon entering the learning facility.

• Identification of natural hazards need to be posted such as poison ivy, oak and sumac.

• Installation of a phone box for emergency purposes is suggested.

• Routine inspections should be implemented to ensure safety standards are kept up to date.

• As the quarry changes, with new learning labs being opened, each one needs to be reevaluated for any safety issues that may occur.

Operational and Operational and Reclaimed QuarriesReclaimed Quarries

Operational limestone quarry Operational limestone quarry

Reclaimed QuarryReclaimed Quarry

Outdoor ClassroomsOutdoor Classrooms

• Educational opportunities:• Botany• Geology• Archeology• History• Biology• Paleontology

Project ExpansionProject Expansion

• The next step would be to work on a cost breakdown for this project. It could include prices for outdoor equipment like tables, displays, concrete, or railing.

• There are other educational ideas that could be further expanded on.

• Visiting a quarry that has already been through this process.