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Aug
2
Written by:
news editor
8/2/2010 1:00 AM
ODNR will hold a public meeting in New Philadelphia on Thursday, August 26.
ODNR to Discuss Abandoned Mine Land Projects in Northeastern Ohio
The public is invited to attend the August 26 in Tuscarawas County
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will hold a public meeting in New Philadelphia on Thursday, August 26 from 6-9 p.m. to discuss proposed abandoned mine land projects being considered in eight northeastern Ohio counties. The meeting will be held in the Business Conference Room A of the Kent State University-Tuscarawas Campus, located at 330 University Drive in New Philadelphia.
Staff from the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management will be on-hand to discuss environmental and public health and safety issues associated with Ohio mines that were abandoned prior to August 3, 1977, when legislation addressing the problem went into effect.
Other topics include the policies and procedures of Ohio’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program and the proposed projects for Columbiana, Coshocton, Jefferson, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. Meeting attendees are encouraged to present details of their own abandoned mine problems and check on funding eligibility in these counties as well as Carroll, Harrison, Holmes, Medina, Summit and Trumbull counties.
In November, ODNR will apply for federal construction grant money from the U.S. Department of the Interior to fund abandoned mine clean-ups during the next year throughout the northeastern and southeastern Ohio coal-mining region. A portion of these funds, About $1.56 million, is earmarked for 16 non-emergency public health and safety projects in northeastern Ohio. The grant also includes $2.67 million to improve streams impacted by acid mine drainage problems in the entire coal region.
Non-emergency projects proposed for the northeastern Ohio mining district include:
- Extending the a water line approximately 1 mile for several homes impacted by mine drainage.
- Clearing, accessing and removing a tipple structure, off-site disposal of materials, regrading the area for positive drainage, and site restoration.
- Extending an existing guardrail along a highwall, which is located near a road.
- Eliminating several dangerous highwalls and providing positive drainage as well as site restoration.
- Closing a vertical airshaft which includes access, excavation, placement of #1 and #2 stone, installation of a steel reinforced concrete cap, and site restoration.
- Trenching and drain installation to intercept mine drainage and rerouting drainage from an existing surface pond away from historically sensitive structures.
- Installing several mine drains to direct mine water away from several residences and redirecting existing seepage and underground flow as well as site restoration.
- Closing an open mine exhaust shaft and removing an old tipple with rail system as well as site restoration.
- Repairing a previously installed mine seal and outlet pipe and general site restoration.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
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For more information, contact:
Brad Burwell, ODNR Mineral Resources Management
330. 339. 2207
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
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