On July 19, Joe Adams, Acting DEP Executive Deputy Secretary For Programs, told the DEP Citizens Advisory Council the agency is entering into agreements with 15 engineering firms to design mine land reclamation and mine drainage treatment projects to be funded by the new federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Adams said the goal of the effort is to “accelerate AML/AMD projects that will be used for bids” and funded by the $297.9 million DEP expects to receive for projects in federal fiscal year 2022.

“Focus areas for this funding include bigger and more projects. That includes projects that were too expensive previously,” said Adams.

He said priorities would be to--

-- Reclaim mine land hazards or eliminate or reduce AMD sources, coal refuse piles that generate AMD and sources of acidic sediment impacting streams;

-- Funding operation and maintenance of critical passive treatment systems; and

-- Launching a new grant sub-award program for local groups to submit AML and AMD projects for funding.

“DEP is also adding staff and a Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation to support expanded AML and AMD programs,” said Adams.

Adams said this work needs to be done quickly to prepare for submitting the formal application for the additional funding when the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement application period opens by the end of September.

Visit DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation webpage for more information on this program.

For more information and available handouts, visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage. Questions should be directed to Keith Salador, Executive Director, ksalador@pa.gov  or 717-787-8171.

(Photo: Little Conemaugh River, Cambria County.)

Related Article This Week:

-- PA AML Campaign: Urge Sen. Toomey To Support Abandoned Mine Remediation STREAM Act  [PaEN]

-- U.S. Dept. Of Interior Releases Final Guidance On Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Abandoned Mine Reclamation Funding

Related Articles:

-- Gov. Wolf Announced PA Received The Initial $244.9 Million From The Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Clean Up Abandoned Mine Lands [PaEN]

-- Gov. Wolf Announced PA Received $26.5 Million In Federal Funding For DEP’s Traditional Mine Reclamation Program [PaEN]

-- Federal Office Of Surface Mining Awards PA $26.63 Million For Mine Reclamation Projects Related To Economic Development [PaEN]

-- Sen. Casey, DEP Highlight Importance Of Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding To Address Abandoned Mine Reclamation In Visit To Northumberland County [PaEN]

[Posted: July 20, 2022]

7/25/2022