On March 21, the latest Abandoned Mine Post from the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation included an announcement of two funding programs by the Foundation for PA Watershed for groups with projects caught in the federal funding freeze.

The programs include--

-- Working Capital Loan Program: The FPW understands the need for working capital to help with cash flow while waiting for grant reimbursements.

Requests for working capital loans with no interest are now being considered. These requests should be tied to a specific project with an awarded grant contract.

Click Here to fill out an initial inquiry form.

-- Operational Support Grants: The FPW’s operational support grant program is intended to support organizations experiencing financial impacts from the federal and state funding changes.

Operating support of up to $5,000 can be used to cover staff time, legal costs, consultant fees, or other general operating costs.

Click Here to fill out an initial inquiry form. 

Please only send one request per organization.

For more information or to set up a preliminary phone call, please reach out to Maggie Anderson at manderson@thefpw.org.

Click Here to read the Abandoned Mine Post.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

To learn more about abandoned mine reclamation, visit the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation and the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation.

Resource Links:

-- Tribune-Democrat: Federal Office Of Surface Mining In PA To Close, Staff Cut, May Significantly Impact Abandoned Mine Reclamation Efforts In PA  [PDF of Article]

-- WTAE: DOGE Targets Shutdown Of Federal Offices In Western PA, Including 3 Mine Safety & Health Administration Offices

-- PA Council Of Trout Unlimited: Millions In Trout Unlimited Watershed Projects Improve The Environment, Local Economies Across The US; Federal Funding Freeze, Office Closures, Staff Cuts 'Sacrificing Our National Conservation Legacy'  [PaEN]

-- Pocono Record - Brian Whipkey: Trout Unlimited Officials Worry Over Potential Impacts From Reduced Federal Funding In PA [PDF of Article]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Lt. Gov. Davis, DEP, Community Celebrate The Opening Of Federal/State Funded Blacklick Creek Mine Drainage Treatment Plant To Clean Up 25 Miles Of Waterways In Cambria, Indiana Counties  [PaEN]

-- DEP Now Accepting Applications For First Round Of Federally-Funded Local Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants, Deadline April 25  [PaEN]

-- Abandoned Mine Post: Foundation For PA Watersheds Offers Help To Groups With Projects Caught In Federal Funding Freeze  [PaEN]

-- Mine Subsidence Found Under Olympus Energy/Hyperion Natural Gas Compressor Station Construction Site In Penn Twp., Westmoreland County  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Indiana Gazette: Blacklick Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Facility Celebrated Near Vintondale

-- Reuters: President Invokes Emergency Powers To Boost US Critical Minerals Production

[Posted: March 21, 2025]

3/24/2025