WASHINGTON – The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards. These projects represent the nation’s highest achievements in abandoned mine land reclamation and demonstrate outstanding results in restoring previously mined lands. The awardees have helped to protect the public through the elimination of public safety and environmental hazards and bolstered local economies by creating new recreation opportunities and protecting local treasures.
Established in 1992, the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards recognize exemplary state and Tribal reclamation projects that reclaim coal mine sites abandoned prior to the enactment of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.
“The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards honor the best examples of AML reclamation in our nation,” said OSMRE Deputy Director Glenda Owens. “Our state and Tribal partners work diligently to address health hazards and mitigate environmental problems affecting coal communities. These awards showcase what is possible in reinvigorating those impacted coal communities.”
Reclamation Awards
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral Resources Management is the recipient of the National Award, which recognizes the highest-rated reclamation project. The Friendship Park Highwall Reclamation Project, located in Jefferson County, eliminated significant public health and safety problems by remediating more than 9,000 linear feet of dangerous highwalls (steep, exposed cliffs left over from mining) and associated water-filled pit impoundments.
The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division, Abandoned Mine Land Program is the recipient of the Small Project Award, which recognizes a project costing less than $1 million in a state receiving less than $6 million in annual AML funds. The Dutchman Canyon Maintenance and Stream Restoration AML Reclamation Project, located in Colfax County, remediated issues at a restoration project completed in 2012. Boulder and graded rock structures were installed within a stream channel to reduce erosion, stop headcutting of the channel, and protect existing banks and benches. The site was also vegetated to reduce storm runoff.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation is the recipient of the Appalachian States Award, which recognizes the best project in that region. The Morgan Run Reclamation Project, located in Clearfield County, eliminated more than 1,700 feet of dangerous highwall and 12 acres of spoil (coal waste).
The Iowa Department of Agriculture, Abandoned Mine Land Program is the recipient of the Interior States Award, which recognizes the best project in that region. The Patrick AML Reclamation Project, located in Wapello County, included the mitigation of 1,379 feet of highwall, nearly 4 acres of clogged stream, 11 acres of dangerous piles and embankments, 15.8 acres of spoil area (coal waste), and 3 pit ponds.
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Inactive Mine Reclamation Program is the recipient of the Western States and Tribes Award, which recognizes the best project in that region. The West Sopris Coal Refuse Project, located in Las Animas County, entailed a coal fire investigation, stabilizing coal refuse causing sediment runoff into Trinidad Lake, installing engineered drainage channels for runoff water diversion around the coal waste, and planting 1,500 sapling trees.
In fiscal year 2023, more than $985 million was made available to states and Tribes for abandoned mine land reclamation efforts under OSMRE’s Abandoned Mine Land Program, including $725 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $126 million in traditional fee-based annual grants, and $135 million in AML Economic Revitalization funding.
To learn more about the AML reclamation awards program, visit AML Reclamation Awards.
– OSMRE –