Projects to reclaim abandoned mine lands and restore polluted streams in Schuylkill County have been awarded nearly $1.5 million in competitive grant funding, state officials announced this week.
The funding is part of the Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage Grant Program.
“These are great projects that will clean up legacy mine problems and improve the quality of life for Schuylkill County residents,” said Wayne Lehman, County Natural Resource Specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District.
State Senator Dave Argall (R-29) and Representative Tim Twardzik (R-123) hailed the funding as a critical investment in restoring the area’s natural resources.
“Thanks to these awards, there will now be fewer black wastelands and polluted rivers and streams in our area,” said Argall. “We’ve made significant progress since I grew up near abandoned coal pits in Tamaqua’s east end, but much work remains ahead.”
Twardzik emphasized the historical importance of anthracite coal to Pennsylvania’s economy and the lasting challenges it created.
“Anthracite coal fueled the Industrial Revolution and two World Wars, but it also left behind abandoned mines and acid mine drainage,” he said. “To date, Pennsylvania has rehabilitated more than half of the 288,000 acres of abandoned coal mines. These latest grants mark a significant step toward addressing these challenges and restoring areas impacted by mining activity. The Schuylkill Conservation District and Woodlands for Wildlife are doing vital work to improve our environment, and this funding will support their efforts to reclaim abandoned mine lands and mitigate acid mine drainage. These projects are crucial for protecting our natural resources and revitalizing our communities.”
Funded Projects
Three major projects in Schuylkill County received funding:
Schuylkill Conservation District: $442,191.20 to reclaim abandoned mine lands on State Game Land 326 in Butler Township.
Schuylkill Conservation District: $379,085 to analyze the Pine Knot and Oak Hill boreholes and the Repplier mine discharges. The analysis will support the development of an abandoned mine drainage treatment facility in Cass Township, aimed at reducing pollution in local streams.
Woodlands for Wildlife: $658,890 to reclaim 27 abandoned mine land features in Branch Township, south of Llewellyn.
The funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which has overseen the reclamation of abandoned mine lands across the state. Since 2022, Pennsylvania has received more than $700 million in federal funding to tackle these environmental challenges. The state has the largest number of abandoned coal mines in the nation.
“I sponsored the original Growing Greener program, the largest investment in conservation in Pennsylvania history, because our quality of life is improved substantially when we care for our environment,” Argall added. “These dollars mean more green fields, clean streams, and healthy communities in Schuylkill County.”