$ 25M in grants to go toward cleaning up mine land in Pa.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced funding for environmental restoration projects focused on economic development or community revitalization at abandoned mine land locations across Pennsylvania, according to a news release sent out Wednesday.

The 2019 AML pilot program was authorized by Congress under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, and provides an additional $ 25 million of U. S. Treasury funds to Pennsylvania’s AML Program, the release said. The funds are to be used “to accelerate the remediation of AML sites with economic and community development end uses.”

This is the fourth year that Pennsylvania has received funding from the AML Pilot Program, according to the release, which contained information on the following projects that were recently approved:

Gladden AMD Treatment Plant ( Allegheny County)

This is a previously approved AML Pilot Project. Supplemental funding from the 2019 AML Pilot Grant will be allocated to this project. The Gladden acid mine drainage ( AMD) treatment plant will remove 690 pounds per day of iron pollution going into Millers Run and Chartiers Creek.

This 1,500- gallon- perminute treatment plant will provide clean water for an additional 7.5 miles of stream for stocking fish. Three areas of Fishing Run will also be sealed to prevent flow losses into the deep mine, decreasing the operating cost of the plant. The project partners include South Fayette Conservation

Group and Tetratech Inc.

This project will reclaim 400 linear feet of dangerous highwall and repair some retaining walls.

The project will also include the installation of fencing to provide enhanced safety for more than 9,000 annual visitors.

The primary project partner is the T Ed Mine and Museum.

Bethlehem South ( Armstrong County)

This project will backfill 11,100 linear feet of dangerous highwall with 59 acres of associated spoil area.

It will create 50 acres of agricultural field and approximately 3,000 linear feet of multiuse recreational trail.

The primary project partner is the Redbank Creek Watershed Trust.

Kerbaugh Road Refuse Pile ( Blair County)

This project will reclaim a 22- acre coal refuse pile and construct 1.6 miles of multiuse recreational trail. The project will also create multiuse recreational green space as well as stormwater retention and rain gardens.

The project partners include Antis Township, Blair County Conservation District, Altoona- Blair County Development Corp., Allegheny Ridge Corp., Progress Funds Trail Town Program, Interfaith Power and Light, Central Blair Recreation Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Ingleside Northeast ( Cambria County)

This project will backfill 5,900 linear feet of dangerous highwall with 30 acres of associated spoil area. The land will be compacted and made suitable for building upon once reclamation is complete.

The site access road will remain as a future road for development. Future use could include manufactured homes or a residential subdivision.

The project partners include Richland Township, Cambria County and East Hills Development Co.

Vintondale Pile Ghost Town Trail ( Cambria County)

This project will reclaim an 11- acre ( 310,000- ton) coal refuse area and improve water quality in 22 miles of the

South Branch Blacklick Creek. The project also includes the construction of 900 linear feet of trailhead and a gravel parking lot.

Project partners include Blacklick Creek Watershed Association, Indiana County Conservation District, Robindale Energy Services, Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, Vintondale Borough, Minetech and Indiana County Parks and Trails.

Full Gospel Church ( Fayette County)

This project will reclaim 20.5 acres of AML on DCNR property in Ohiopyle State Park. Once reclamation is completed, the temporary construction access will be converted into a permanent access, and a small parking area will be constructed including a gate to prevent vehicular access into the project area. Further development of game plots ( by DCNR) in the area of this project will allow for future access to this site by both local and visiting outdoor enthusiasts. The primary project partner is DCNR.

Powdermill Nature Reserve ( Westmoreland County)

This project includes the rehabilitation of two passive AMD systems treating 60 gallons per minute to improve 1.5 miles of Laurel Run. The project also includes educational trail construction with more than a mile of new and rehabilitated trails with three viewing platforms and trail signage.

The project partners include Carnegie Institute, Loyalhanna Watershed Association and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.