DEP’s Forest City East - Fish & Boat Commission Access Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project In Susquehanna, Wayne Counties Recognized With Federal Office Of Surface Mine Reclamation Appalachian States Award

On September 21, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement awarded the 2026 Appalachian States Regional Abandoned Mine Land, AML, Reclamation Award to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the Forest City East - Fish & Boat Commission Access project. 

This project demonstrates exemplary reclamation work in 52.3 acres of abandoned mine land spanning both Susquehanna and Wayne Counties.

The award was presented to Pennsylvania by OSMRE Deputy Director Tom Shope during the National Association of AML Programs conference in Park City, Utah, on Sept. 21st. 

This is the seventh consecutive year Pennsylvania has been recognized by OSMRE for outstanding reclamation, earning national awards in 2020, 2022,and regional awards in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.  

“The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards highlight the exceptional work being done by our State and Tribal partners to restore lands, protect communities and strengthen local economies,” said Shope. “Pennsylvania continues to lead the way with reclamation projects that make communities safer, improve quality of life and support America’s energy dominance by putting lands and resources back to productive use.”

Click Here for a video on the project.

The Project

The Forest City East AML Reclamation Project reclaimed more than 50 acres of abandoned mine land, including Dangerous Piles and Embankments and Gob Piles that were impairing the adjacent Lackawanna River, a high-quality, naturally reproducing trout stream. 

The project preserved 4 acres of existing wetlands, created 0.8 acres of new wetlands, revegetated more than 38 acres, and planted 2,100 native tree seedlings. 

In addition to addressing significant environmental and safety hazards, the project transformed a previously degraded area prone to trespassing and littering into a safe, attractive public recreation and river-access area. 

Improvements included a parking area, gravel access road, and non-motorized boat launch for kayaks and canoes. 

Although the property remains privately owned, the owner has opened the site to public recreation, and the Fish & Boat Commission has expressed interest in securing a long-term agreement to preserve public access. 

The project was completed April 3, 2024, at a final cost of $3,352,259.25, with approximately 40 percent funded through Title IV AML 

Non-Water Program funds and 60 percent through the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program.

"It's been wonderful because it's really brought people to this area now, getting the accessibility to the river, just fishing and the outdoors,” said Dr. Katie Zefran, Secretary of Greater Forest City Industries.

Click Here for the OSMRE announcement.

[Posted: September 30, 2026]  PA Environment Digest