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Oct
15
Written by:
news editor
10/15/2012 1:00 AM
The ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management will hold public meetings later this month to discuss local abandoned mine land projects proposed in 14 Ohio eastern counties.
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources Management will hold a series of open house-styled public meetings later this month to discuss local abandoned mine land projects proposed in 14 Ohio eastern counties.
In November, ODNR will apply for federal construction grant money from the U.S. Department of the Interior to fund abandoned mine reclamation during the 2013 grant cycle (January 2013–December 2015) throughout the state’s coal-mining region. A total of $6 million is earmarked for the design and construction of 32 emergency and non-emergency public health and safety projects in Ohio. Also included in the grant is $4.47 million set aside to improve streams impacted by acid mine drainage problems.
Division staff will be on hand at these meetings to discuss environmental and public health and safety issues associated with Ohio mines that were abandoned prior to Aug. 3, 1977, when legislation addressing the problem went into effect.
Meeting attendees will learn more about Ohio’s Abandoned Mine Land Program and the proposed projects for Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Meigs, Muskingum, Morgan, Perry, Summit, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. Attendees are encouraged to present details of their own abandoned mine issues and check on funding eligibility.
Meetings will be held at ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management’s regional offices – complete details follow:
- A meeting will be held for Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Trumbull and Wayne counties on Monday, Oct. 22, 5-7 p.m. at 3601 Newgarden Road, Salem, Ohio 44460. For more information, call 330-222-1527.
- A meeting will be held for Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Meigs, Lawrence, Scioto and Vinton counties* on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 5-7 p.m. at 280 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701. For more information, call 740-592-3748.
- A meeting will be held for Belmont, Guernsey, Morgan, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Washington counties on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m. at 11296 East Pike Road, Cambridge, Ohio 43725. For more information, call 740-439-3640.
- A meeting will be held for Carroll, Coshocton, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties on Thursday, Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m. at 2207 Reiser Avenue SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663. For more information, call 330-339-2207.
*A short presentation of the Millfield Shaft Emergency Project will begin the Oct. 23 Athens County meeting (from 5-5:20 p.m.). This project consists of stabilizing two shafts, which have failed and pose an immediate threat to the public at the Millfield Mine Disaster site, a National Register of Historic Places listing. This meeting will also fulfill historic preservation requirements for public notice. Public comments concerning this project will be accepted during the presentation.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.com.
For more information, contact:
Blake Arthur, ODNR Mineral Resources Management
330-339-2207
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6860
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