Digital surface mining overlay maps consist of georeferenced TIFF images depicting permitted surface and underground mine boundaries and selected mining features. The accompanying legend at the bottom of each image identifies mining features included and coded on the overlays along with the associated permit number.
Digital overlay map filenames are comprised of a code referencing the corresponding 7½ minute US Geological Society topographic map and a number indicating the mapping series. View a list of topographic quadrangle names and corresponding codes. Currently six series of overlays are available. Each series represents a time period in the permitting of surface coal mining in Kentucky.
- Series I: Areas permitted from 1977 to March 1, 1981 which were active as of Jan. 1, 1981.
- Series II: Areas permitted from 1961 to 1977 which were inactive as of Jan. 1, 1981.
- Series III: Areas permitted from March 1, 1981 through Jan. 18, 1983.
- Series IV: Areas permitted under the permanent program after Jan. 18, 1983 and through April 1, 1986.
- Series V: Areas permitted under the new permanent program after April 1, 1986 and through Aug. 1, 1995.
- Series VI: Areas permitted after Aug. 1, 1995 and through Aug. 31, 1999.
Digital overlay maps are projected in the NAD83 Kentucky Single Zone Coordinate System.
Overlay Map User Guide
Description of Map Symbols and Codes
Mining overlay maps are identified by the 7½-minute quadrangle name shown in the lower right-hand corner of the map.
An attribute code, consisting of an alpha character or characters followed by a number, is assigned to each feature on the overlay map. The alpha code refers to a specific permit number. Alpha codes and the specific permit number to which they correspond are listed at the bottom of the overlay. The alpha codes are generally listed in alphabetic order and expand to multi-lettered codes (AA, BB etc.) to include all permits pertaining to a given quadrangle. Adjacent maps that share the same permit boundary have, in most cases, the same alpha code on both maps.
The number that follows the alpha code is a one-, two- or three-digit number defining the major category in which a mining feature falls (i.e. mining, fill areas, haul roads, etc.). Often a subcategory is used to describe a mining feature in greater detail. View numeric permit mapping codes and corresponding descriptions.
An example of a feature attribute code is 'A-610'. The code refers to a sediment structure (6), embankment type (10), within the permit number assigned 'A.' Areas common to more than one permit number are labeled with the alpha character and feature attribute codes of both permit numbers with a comma placed between them.
Permit features are drawn as dashed lines, solid lines, dash-dot-dot lines or single dots. Haul roads and railroads are drawn as dashed lines unless they correspond to the permit boundary, in which case the permit boundary takes precedence. Features that appear as solid lines or polygons include mining areas, fill/storage areas, permit boundary areas, face-ups, and reference areas. Points are used to represent features of small acreage such as sediment structures, monitoring points and underground mine openings. Underground mine shadow areas in Series IV and V appear as long dashes separated by dots. Series VI underground areas are indicated by hatched lines. Areas of less than full recovery have a greater opening between hatch marks, and recovery percentage is indicated.
Revisions that delete portions of the original boundary (Series I-V) were added to the overlays by drafting diagonal lines through the area to be deleted. In addition to the features mapped on previous overlays, Series IV, V and VI overlays include a delineation of the proposed area encompassed by underground mining activities.
Series VI consists of three primary overlay sheets:
- Polygon Layer* - closed polygons - permit boundaries, etc.
- Line Data Layer - lineal lines - roads, conveyors, utilities, etc.
- Point Data Layer - small ponds, sampling sites, mine adits, etc.
*Overlying permits are drawn on separate sheets of Mylar, thus there may be more than one polygon layer sheet. Addendum sheets are numbered sequentially.
This sample overlay map although not to scale, will identify the information and major features included on the overlays.