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Mine Land Reforestation at Hurricane Ridge
Project Date: October 2023 - August 2024
Location: Campbell County, Tennessee
Waterway improved: Tackett Creek
Restoration methods: Soil ripping, invasive plant removal, native seedling planting
Reforesting previously mined land

In 2024, the Cumberland River Compact launched a mine land reforestation program, with its pioneer project Hurricane Ridge, which sought to restore 42 acres of heavily degraded mine land in the ecologically vital headwaters of the Cumberland River basin. Years of mining had left the soil severely compacted and dominated by invasive species. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, the Compact used the Forestry Reclamation Approach to remove invasive vegetation, decompact the soil through cross-ripping, and planted 30,400 native seedlings. The work aimed to reduce runoff, improve habitat, and support long-term forest growth. A seedling survivability survey five months post-planting showed an 81% survival rate, exceeding the expected 70%, with native regeneration already underway. The project was highlighted during the 2024 ASRS conference and marks a major step for the Compact in restoring Appalachian mine lands into healthy, functioning ecosystems that benefit both people and waterways.

PROJECT ORIGINS

In 2024, the Cumberland River Compact launched an ambitious effort to reforest previously mined lands with the goal of improving water quality in the Cumberland River basin. The Hurricane Ridge project focused on the headwaters region of the Cumberland River basin—one of the most ecologically rich areas in the world—where mining has compacted soils and allowed invasive species to take over, preventing natural ecosystems from regenerating.

The Cumberland River Compact partnered with The Nature Conservancy to reforest the 42 acres of degraded mine land known as “Hurricane Ridge” as part of the Cumberland Forest Project, a 253,000 acre tract of land stretching over eastern Tennessee and Kentucky.

Hurricane Ridge is located in Campbell County, TN, near the town of Lafollette. Before the Compact’s work began, the land was so heavily compacted that oak trees estimated to be twenty years old grew no higher than 12 ft (compacted soil can severely stunt a tree’s growth because its roots are unable to spread out). Previous reclamation efforts by the mining company had largely failed; the land was dominated by invasive species including autumn olive, royal paulownia, tree of heaven, and more.

Using proven methods of the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) and advised by the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, the Compact planted a native hardwood forest to restore wildlife habitat and improve water quality by reducing surface runoff, thereby limiting the flow of sediment, chemicals, and metals into nearby streams. 

REFORESTATION

The first step was to decompact the soil, allowing for better water absorption and creating a more hospitable environment for deep-rooted plants. This was accomplished by first ‘scalping’ the land with a Komatsu 61 bulldozer to remove the seedbank of invasive plants near the soil’s surface. Larger, woody invasive plants were then pushed into windrows. The contractors skillfully preserved the few native trees that were found on site.

The bare ground was then ‘cross ripped’ by using a Cat D9R bulldozer to pull two four-foot ripping shanks, fully immersed in the soil, across the landscape. The initial pass created ‘rips’ spaced 8 ft apart; the operator then made a second pass perpendicular to the first, maintaining the same 8 ft spacing, resulting in a cross-hatch pattern that loosened the compacted soil for reforestation.

This work was completed by Mountain Ridge, LLC, a small, family-run business based in London, KY. Part of the Compact’s mission is to support local communities by partnering with Appalachian businesses to complete mine land reforestation work.

IN THE NEWS

The launch of the Compact’s mine land reforestation initiative caught the attention of Nashville-based band Old Crow Medicine Show. Compact staff were invited to Old Crow Medicine Show’s ‘Music Declares Emergency’ event at The Caverns in the Cumberland Plateau, providing an opportunity to promote the upcoming Hurricane Ridge project and broader water quality initiatives in the Cumberland River Basin.

In June 2024, the Compact’s Working Lands team hosted a site tour at Hurricane Ridge as part of the American Society of Reclamation Sciences (ASRS) conference, bringing together academics, researchers, government, and industry professionals to showcase our methods and project results.

The Hurricane Ridge project was featured on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s blog in March 2026. Click here to read the piece.

FOLLOW UP

Compact staff conducted a seedling count using circular plots five months after planting to determine the survivability of the seedlings and assess the success of the site. 81% of the seedlings survived, which is above the expected outcome of the FRA method, and native species were seen to be naturally regenerating in the area since the soil conditions were improved. Overall, the Hurricane Ridge project marks a significant step for the Compact in transforming degraded mine lands into thriving ecosystems, ensuring cleaner water, healthier forests, and a more resilient Cumberland River basin for generations to come.

Project Sponsors

This project was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Beam Suntory Global Spirits, and the James R. Meadows, Jr. Foundation. Other project partners include:

  • The Nature Conservancy
  • University of Tennessee
  • Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation
  • Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative
  • Williams Forestry & Associates
  • Mountain Ridge, LLC
  • Green Forests Work
  • TN Department of Forestry