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The Center Square

The Center Square

Mine land cleanup in Appalachia faces federal delays, capacity limits

The Center Square
Summary
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87% Informative

Some states have streamlined the reclamation process, supporting local groups limited by a lack of manpower.

EPA estimates up to 200,000 acres of formerly mined land need to be reforested in Pennsylvania .

The Department of the Interior has three programs states can use: abandoned mine land fund, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and AMLER fund.

Federal delays hamper states like Pennsylvania , but cleanup could pay dividends if officials make cleanup and development a priority.

States can set their own standards for what they want in an AMLER project.

A number of mine reclamation funds give money to small communities, but they don't always have grant writers on staff or full-time people.