Approved abandoned mine reclamation projects to create jobs, improve safety and environment statewide

The Wolf Administration announced Tuesday the approval of $55.6 million in funding aimed at supporting approximately 150 abandoned coal mine reclamation projects throughout Pennsylvania.

The projects will help in creating new jobs, reduce health and safety risks, and improve the environment and outdoor recreation opportunities available in the commonwealth. Specific project goals include removing steep walls left by mining operations, correcting hazardous sinkholes caused by the collapse of underground mines, extinguishing underground fires, reforest and revegetate some land, and remove acid mine drainage.

Funding for the projects is provided through the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Surfacing Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 2018 Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Grant Fund. It is supported by a fee placed on coal mined by the active mining industry in the United States.

“One-third of the abandoned mine lands in the nation are located in Pennsylvania, largely as a result of hundreds of years of coal mining prior to modern laws, regulations, and safeguards,” Eric Cavazza, director of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, said. “DEP receives around 800 requests annually for assistance from the public for AML problems and constantly evaluates eligible sites, assigning a higher priority to sites that pose a public health, safety, or property risk.”