City Of Cumberland Flood Control Project Area Of Potential Effects Phase One Archaeological Survey Harlan County Kentucky PDF Download

There is a high potential for significant environmental impacts resulting from the construction of alternative flood control measures at Harlan, Ky. and surrounding communities. Located in southeastern Kentucky, the study area is composed of approximately 300 square miles along the Cumberland River and its three major tributaries, Poor Fork, Clover Fork, and Martins Fork. Lying within the Cumberland Mountains section of the Appalachian Plateau Physiographic Province, the topography is typified by rugged mountains reaching elevations of 1263 meters. The types of underlying rock in the area are predominantly Pennsylvania shale, conglomerate siltstone and coal, capped with sandstones. The discharge from the Cumberland River and its tributaries above the Harlan, Ky., varies greatly with climatic conditions. Strip mining activities have significant adverse impacts on the hydrology and water quality. The project area supports very limited flora and very little natural vegetation remains in the project corridor, resulting in terrestrial fauna being limited. Twenty-two species of fish and 23 species of invertebrates were identified. Six recreational facilities were identified. The Cumberland River represents a limited recreational resource in this area.