DEP Awards $101.1 Million In Federally-Funded Grants To Support Local Abandoned Mine-Related Restoration; Deadline For Next Round Of Grants Feb. 19

On January 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of up to $101,110,178 in funding for 16 environmental restoration projects on abandoned mine lands funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

These projects focus on reclaiming abandoned mine lands, decreasing acid mine drainage, or treating AMD through the construction, operation, and/or maintenance of an AMD treatment facility.  

Two projects account for over $92.3 million in funding--

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission - $68,255,481: Morris Run Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Plant (Tioga River)— The project will include constructing the Morris Run Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Plant to improve the Tioga Reservoir and 20 miles of stream including the Tioga River, Morris Run, Coal Creek, and Fall Brook in Tioga County.

-- Clean Streams Foundation, Inc. - $24,194,380: Ernest-Fulton Run (Crooked Creek)— The project will include construction of an active AMD treatment system to treat the Fulton Run Shaft and Ernest 2 and 3 discharges in Indiana County.

Click Here for a list of all projects funded.

“Reclaiming abandoned mine land is a crucial endeavor, restoring both the environment and communities in our Commonwealth,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “These grant recipients are taking on projects that pave the way for meaningful efforts that improve water quality, foster ecosystem recovery, and revitalize communities for a greater quality of life for Pennsylvanians.” 

The grant program prioritizes serious human health and safety problems that are a result of abandoned coal mines, as well as treating AMD to continue restoration efforts under the AMD Set-Aside Program.

The grant program also focuses on operation and maintenance needs or upgrades of AMD treatment systems. This prevents the loss of restored streams and creates significant water quality improvements that go toward watershed restoration. 

Visit DEP’s Local AML/AMD Grant Program webpage for more information on this program.

Next Grant Round Open

DEP is now accepting applications for the next round of federally-funded local AML/AMD Grants.  The deadline for applications is February 19.

DEP has also set deadlines for two other rounds in 2024-- June 3 and September 23.

Visit DEP’s Local AML/AMD Grant Program webpage for all the details.

More Federal Funding

DEP said additional AML projects have also been recommended for funding under the Abandoned Mine Land Economic and Revitalization (AMLER) program. 

The additional projects total nearly $21 million and would be funded by the federal U.S. Department of Treasury. 

The additional projects require vetting by the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement prior to being formally announced.

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[Posted: January 17, 2024]  PA Environment Digest