Introduction Coal mining in the United States is a major industry. In 2012, the coal industry employed nearly 90,000 people [1]. The Black Mesa Complex in northern Arizona includes two separate coal mines, the Kayenta Mine and the Black Mesa Coal Mines. Both mines are owned and operated by Peabody Western Coal Company (PWCC). The mines are located 10 miles southwest of Kayenta, Arizona. The Kayenta Mine spans 40,000 acres (62.5 sq mi), employs 430 workers[2] and is the 27th largest mine in the United States, producing nearly 7.5 million short tons of coal per year. year [1]. The Black Mesa Mine is located a few miles west of the Kayenta Mine. Operations at the Black Mesa Coal Mine were halted in 2005 when a court order closed the mine's coal-fired power plant. While the mine was active, it produced 5 million tons of coal per year[3] and employed 360 workers[4]. Although coal mining is important to local and global economies, coal mining and use have many environmental impacts that must be considered. Steps can be taken to mitigate these environmental impacts, but it is up to scientists to identify these potential problems and put plans into action before it is too late. Environmental Setting and Vegetation Peabody Western Coal Company's Kayenta Coal Mine is located in the northeastern portion of Black Mesa. (a mountainous mesa on the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona). Elevations range from 6,600' to 7,200'. Precipitation ranges from 7" to " per year with temperatures from -15oF to 100oF. The region is characterized by gentle to steep hills dissected by deep valleys. The geology is dominated by scoreia, interbedded sandstones and shale. arable land is very deep in the valley...... middle of article ......es, "Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta Mine: An Economic Impact Study", Arizona State University, 2012.[3] Tribal and Conservation Groups Appeal Peabody's Illegal Permit for Black Mesa Coal Mine, Center for Biological Diversity, 2009.[4] Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations, Arizona,” United States Department of the Interior, Denver, Colorado, 1990.[5] E. Bronston, “Peabody Western Coal Company Black Mesa Complex Geographic Information Systems,” in Geospatial Conference, 2004.[6] Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, “Black Mesa Project Final Environmental Impact Statement,” United States Department of the Interior, Washington DC, 2008.[7] Mining Handbook, Environmental Policy Institute, 1990.