Reclamation Proposal for
Limestone Quarries in NorthWest
Arkansas
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Sabrina Carbó
Tim Payne
Allyson Ransom
Mary Smiley
Audie Weatherford
Instructor:
C. Dianne Phillips
Honors Geology
Project Statement
• There is a need for additional and
ongoing restoration and beautification
within the reclamation process for
quarries in NorthWest Arkansas.
Project Overview
• A proposed outline of needs
necessary to expand current
reclamation processes to make these
areas suitable for public recreational,
and educational uses.
Proposed Project Site
Reclaimed Quarry
Ideas for public & educational uses:
water park
wildlife refuge
walking trail
educational research facility
climbing wall
outdoor classroom
stock fishing
Community Aspect of Project
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Education
Recreation
Beautification
Safety
Geology Course Content Objectives
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Sedimentary Processes
Rock Formation Limestone/bedrock
Depositional History
Environments of Deposition
Geologic Time Periods/Fossils
Stratigraphy of area
Weathering processes
Economic importance
Methods
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contact the owner
visit the site
take pictures
comparison study
• research
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safety
history
grants
costs
academic feasibility
government regulations
Community Contacts
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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 Line
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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
• 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
ARKANSAS
Fossils of Arkansas
• North Arkansas
• (Paleozoic-age)
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Stomatolites
Corals
Brachiopods
Bryozoa
Cinoids
Cephalopods
• Arkansas River Valley
• (MississippianPennsylvanian age)
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Corals
Bryozoa
Brachiopods
Crinoids
Bivalves
Gastropods
Cephalopods
Plant Fossils
FOSSILS OF ARKANSAS 2
• Searcy and Van Buren • Ouachita Mountains
counties
• (Cretaceous age)
• (Mississippian age)
• Oyster
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Ammonoids
Nautiloids
Bivalves
Brachiopods
Bryozoa
Plant Material
Blastoids
Crinoids
Gastropods
Shark Teeth
arthropods
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Echinoid
Gastropod
Cephalopods
Dinosaur
Dinosaur Tracks
Shark Teeth
Mosasaur
Reptile Teeth and Plates
Fish Parts
Fossilized remains of crinoid,
benthonic marine animal
Ancient sands and sediment layered through millennia resulting in
fossilized ripples that were later uplifted
Arkansas Facts
• 5 Most valuable non-fuel mineral
resources (based on annual production)
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Bromine
Crushed stone
Sand/gravel
Clays
Limestone
Plants and Animals of
Arkansas
Arkansas Animals
Ivory-billed
Woodpecker
Mockingbird
Fish
Bob Cat
Eastern
Bluebird
Goldfinch
Snakes
Coyote
Blue jay
Scissor-Tailed
Flycatcher
Turkey
Crawfish
Northern Cardinal
Bear
Barn Owl
Deer
Ducks
Armadillo
Bald Eagle
Gray Fox
Red-Shouldered
Hawk
Elk
Beaver
Mountain Lion
Animals
• 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
Ponderosa Pine
Betula papyrifera - Paper Birch
Juglans nigra
Black Walnut
Quercus alba - White Oak
Carya ovata - Shagbark Hickory
Sassafras albidum – Sassafras
Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum*
Platanus occidentalis
American Sycamore
Acer species – Maples
Malus sylvestris
Common Apple
(Arkansas State Flower)
Cornus florida - Flowering Dogwood
Plants
• 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 Regulations
Questions to consider
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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?
Hazards to be addressed
• 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.
• 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
Reclaimed Quarries
Operational limestone quarry
Reclaimed Quarry
Outdoor Classrooms
• Educational opportunities:
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Botany
Geology
Archeology
History
Biology
Paleontology
Project 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.