U.S. federal law requires that after a surface coal mine ceases operations, the land must be restored to close to its original state. However, mining sites never truly or fully recover. After the coal is removed, the area is recontoured to produce a slope, and grasses are planted. To replace the mountain streams that were buried by the mining removal process, new channels are constructed to accommodate water flow— but these channels do not support the diverse biological communities that once existed. No matter how much care goes into reclamation, the area will not support a mountain forest community like it once did. However, if done well, a new ecological community may develop.