Research about Osceola National Forest

USGS1979

Possible reestablishment of sawtimber production following mining in the Osceola National Forest, an analysis of the state-of-the-art, February 9, 1978

There is a good possibility that sawtimber production could be reestablished on the Osceola National Forest. Engineering technology that is coming on-line should allow the establishment of land/water relationships that meet the requirements of desired tree species. Information available on soil-plant relationships indicate an absence of phytotoxic materials in various mining wastes and that good tree growth is possible.

Florida↗

USGS1978

Impact of potential phosphate mining on the hydrology of Osceola National Forest, Florida

Potentially exploitable phosphate deposits underlie part of Osceola National Forest, Fla. Hydrologic conditions in the forest are comparable with those in nearby Hamilton County, where phosphate mining and processing have been ongoing since 1965. Given similarity of operations, hydroloigc effects of mining in the forest are predicted. Flow of stream receiving phosphate industry effluent would increase somewhat during mining, but stream quality would not be greatly affected. Local changes in the configuration of the water table and the quality of water in the surficial aquifer will occur. Lowering of the potentiometric surface of the Floridan aquifer because of proposed pumpage would be less than five feet at nearby communities. Flordian aquifer water quality would be appreciably changed only if industrial effluent were discharged into streams which recharge the Flordian through sinkholes. The most significant hydrologic effects would occur at the time of active mining: long-term effects would be less significant.

Florida↗