FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2001

Taft Announces Record $10 Million In New Projects To Address
Abandoned Mine Land Problems In Eastern And Southeastern Ohio

MACKSBURG, OH -- Governor Bob Taft announced today that the state is undertaking a record $10 million in 38 new abandoned mine land (AML) projects this year to address environmental and public safety issues in 19 Ohio counties. Taft made the announcement during a tour of an AML reclamation site here, where he reviewed one of many such projects already underway to improve water quality, reduce flooding and revive the economy in eastern and southeastern Ohio.

"Pollution from long-abandoned underground and surface mines is the single most pressing water quality issue in the region, while erosion and sedimentation, if unchecked, greatly increase the threat of flooding," Taft said. "Thanks to the efforts of many partners, Ohio has reclaimed much of this land in recent years, but more work remains - and we are committed to getting it done."

The governor visited the "Freedom 1" reclamation project site on the Washington/Noble county line with Sam Speck, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), the agency responsible for coordinating AML projects in the state. Joining the tour were other state and local offiicals.

From a once-scarred strip mine site above the village of Macksburg, Taft pointed to newly graded and planted fields, designed to limit erosion. Taft also noted new drainage systems that will eliminate corrosive mine run-off and slow the sedimentation that has for decades clogged the Duck Creek watershed. He learned that, 350,000 new trees have been planted by ODNR at many reclamation sites this year. Other reclaimed lands are planted with grasses and legumes to control erosion and provide a variety of wildlife habitats.

Taft praised the state and federal agencies responsible for overseeing this work and thanked the many local and regional partners who assist in the effort. He also recognized the commitment of Ohio's present-day mine operators, who work to meet strict state and federal regulations, ensuring that errors of the past are not repeated.

Of the 38 new reclamation projects to begin this summer or ready to be placed for bid, the largest are a $1.4 million clean-up at the Rehoboth III coal refuse pile in Perry County and a $1 million surface mine restoration at the Nibert Road AML site in Gallia County. Surface mine reclamation and mine drainage improvements on three sites in Gallia and Meigs counties are expected to cost another $650,000.

Administered by the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management, Ohio's AML reclamation program is funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior and state grants, as well as bond monies forfeited by former mine operators. The AML program reclaims areas disturbed by mining operations, primarily coal mining operations, that were not restored in accordance with today's stringent reclamation requirements. Most pre-date those requirements. In addition to water quality and sedimentation issues, AML projects address mine subsidence and other public safety problems related to abandoned mine sites.

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EDITORS NOTE: A LIST OF AML PROJECTS IS BELOW

For Further Information Contact:
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882