By Jamar Thrasher, DEP Press Secretary

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation received a national award for its cleanup work regarding approximately 27 acres of coal refuse piles located along the "Path of the Flood Trail" in South Fork Borough in Cambria County, which posed multiple environmental threats to the area.

The 2021 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Appalachian States Award was awarded to the Stineman Refuse project for the work that also included cleaning parts of the refuse pile that had burned in the past that resulted in refuse material known as “red dog,” which is hardened and burnt.

The refuse pile debilitated surrounding areas by leaching acidic metals into the Conemaugh River. The Stineman Refuse project in South Fork Borough removed coal wash piles along the Path of the Flood Trail, creating a safer walking trail and expanding recreation opportunities along the Conemaugh River.

“This project strengthened the beauty in the area, assuring a healthier environment for residents and community visitors” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

Frequent erosion clogged the unnamed tributary to the Little Conemaugh River and highly acidic water leached into and subsequently impaired local streams.

To address these hazards, Pennsylvania’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program removed and recontoured the refuse piles. Additionally, by repurposing the access road used during construction, a 1.6 mile extension of the Path of the Flood Trail was established.

From 2017, grants of more than $327 million have been injected into Pennsylvania's economy for the construction of similar projects to reclaim health and hazards associated with abandoned mine lands and abate the effects of abandoned mine drainage pollution.

These projects also maintain and revitalize the economies of surrounding coalfield communities.

More information about all of these projects can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's website.

The Stineman project has resulted in new opportunities for recreation and a safer walking trail.

The awards are presented by the [federal] Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement  and highlight the most impressive Abandoned Mine Land reclamation projects in America each year.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

(Reprinted from DEP's Blog.)

[Federal Mine Reclamation Fee Expires THIS Month

[The federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee that supports projects like this will expire this month and put an end to new revenues to support federal and state abandoned mine reclamation programs.

[In August, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes an $11.3 billion investment in abandoned mine reclamation over 15 years and the legislation reauthorizes the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fee for 13 years at 80 percent of its level.  Read more here.

[But the U.S. House has not taken final action on this legislation leaving the issue in limbo.

[On May 28, the Biden administration submitted to Congress the President’s Budget for fiscal year 2022, including $312 million for the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation, which features $165 million to address coal mine reclamation and economic development efforts.  Read more here.

[More Information

[The Pennsylvania AML Campaign, a coalition of conservation districts, watershed groups, and other local nonprofit groups also support reauthorization of the AML fee collection.

[Visit the Our Work’s Not Done website supported by states involved in the federal abandoned mine reclamation program, including Pennsylvania.]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Senate/House Return Sept. 20 -  Will They Fund Local Flood Prevention, Watershed Restoration, Recreation Projects With Part Of The $5 Billion That’s Laying Around?

-- WeConservePA: Sept. 28 - Understanding Funding Opportunities Thru The American Rescue Plan

Related Article:

-- Appalachian Voices: U.S. Senate-Passed Infrastructure Bill Includes Largest-Ever Investment In Reclaiming Coal Lands

-- Biden's First Budget Makes Significant Investments In Abandoned Coal Mine Reclamation, Community Economic Development Efforts

-- U.S. House Committee OKs Bipartisan Bills To Prevent Expiration Of Federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, Expand Economic Development Opportunities

[Posted: September 15, 2021]

9/20/2021