Posted on March 16, 2026
TREMONT, Pa. (WHTM) — Just over $15 Million has been awarded to restore abandoned mine land in Pennsylvania, and just over half of that is going to Schuylkill County.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced $15.2 Million for projects across the state on Thursday.
“Reclaiming these areas is an important part of the work DEP does to restore the environment and protect the communities in the Commonwealth, all while simultaneously creating jobs and bolstering the economy,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “These grant recipients are taking on projects to pave the way for meaningful efforts in improving water quality, fostering ecosystem recovery, and revitalizing communities for a greater quality of life for Pennsylvanians.”
The funding is through the federally-funded Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program.
Pennsylvania has the largest inventory of abandoned coal mines in the nation, DEP said.
Many of the projects funded in this round focus on abandoned mine drainage or abating negative impacts to waterways.
Two projects in Schuylkill County are receiving a combined $8.1 Million in funding.
The Schuylkill Conservation District is getting $6.6 Million to remove over 247,000 cubic yards of waste coal slurry from an abandoned dredge desilting basin on the Schuylkill River in North Manheim Township, near Schuylkill Haven. That project, legislators said, will restore 21.5 acres of the Schuylkill River floodplain.
Another project, spearheaded by Woodlands for Wildlife, will cover the costs to prepare an engineering design plan and secure permits to reclaim 700 acres of abandoned mine lands in Tremont Township and Tremont borough. DEP said that will eliminate 40 abandoned mine features, 14,000 feet of highwalls and 70-foot cliffs in the Swatara Creek watershed.
“[It] is an excellent project that will remove legacy coal sediment to restore floodplain and wetlands, improving water quality and reducing flooding impacts along the Schuylkill River while reestablishing lost wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities,” said Wayne Lehman, county natural resource specialist, Schuylkill Conservation District. “Additionally, the Tremont Township project is a win-win opportunity to restore recreational opportunities in Sweet Arrow Lake County Park by dredging excessive sediment from the lake and utilizing it to reclaim abandoned mine pits near Tremont.”
“Thanks to these awards, there will now be fewer black wastelands and polluted rivers and streams in our area,” State Senator David Argall (R-Schuylkill) said. “We’ve made significant progress since I grew up near abandoned coal pits in Tamaqua’s east end, but much work remains ahead.”
“This funding is an important investment in Tremont Township and in the health and safety of our community,” State Rep. JoAnne Stehr (R-Schuylkill) said. “Reclaiming abandoned mine lands and improving water quality will protect our natural resources while supporting future growth. I appreciate the partnership of Woodlands for Wildlife and the local organizations involved in moving this project forward.”
Other projects receiving funding include:
Blair County
Altoona Water Authority – $112,850
- Glenwhite (Clear Water PTS Redesign) – Project work includes preparing an engineering design plan for future modifications of the Clear Water passive abandoned mine drainage treatment system located in Logan Township and within the Glenwhite Run Watershed.
Butler County
Stream Restoration Incorporated – $455,718
- Big Run – Project planning and development will be completed along with drafting an engineering design plan to develop a multi-phased plan for future sludge management at the Big Run abandoned mine drainage treatment complex located in Worth Township.
Stream Restoration Incorporated – $213,504
- Hamilton (McCaslin Road O&M) – Project work will include water monitoring, engineering design, and permitting required to conduct future maintenance and required improvements to the McCaslin Road passive abandoned mine drainage treatment system in Worth Township.
Cambria County
Natural Streams Foundation, Inc. – $158,187
- Saint Michael – This project will begin the initial efforts to remove nearly 400,000 cubic yards of coal refuse located in Adams Township. Project work includes developing an engineering design to quantify the volume of the refuse pile, identifying required permits, evaluating suitable disposal sites for the refuse material, and determining the best way to reclaim the refuse pile.
Carbon County
Weatherly Borough – $1,460,293
- Weatherly Borough Trail – The installation of pedestrian bridges under this project will complete the Phase 1 construction plan for the Weatherly Borough Trail, a nearly one-mile, multi-use, ADA accessible walking trail located along Hazle Creek in Weatherly Borough and Lehigh Township.
Centre County
Trout Unlimited Inc. – $221,270
- Poorman Side East – Project work includes preparing an engineering design plan and securing the appropriate permits for a future abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation project. The future project will address landowner concerns regarding an impaired water source caused by AML features in Snowshoe Township and within the Beech Creek Watershed.
Clearfield County
Clearfield County Conservation District – $1,133,928
- Chestnut Grove North (KORB4) – This project is the second and final phase in treating the KORB4 abandoned deep mine discharge in Bloom Township impacting the Little Anderson Creek within the Anderson Creek Watershed. Grant project work includes the construction of a vertical flow pond, drainable limestone bed, and flush pond.
Clinton County
Trout Unlimited, Inc. – $745,660
- Middle Branch – Project work includes removing, replacing and installing materials and equipment required to refurbish the Middle Branch abandoned mine drainage treatment system located in Leidy Township.
Trout Unlimited, Inc. – $377,021
- Tangascootack – Major improvements required to the Tangascootack No. 1 passive abandoned mine drainage treatment system located along Peacock Road in Beech Creek Township and within the Tangascootack Creek Watershed will be addressed. Project work includes converting a vertical flow pond to a drainable limestone bed (DLB), refurbishing an existing DLB, and replacing an undersized settling pond.
Fayette County
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy – $161,959
- Full Gospel Church (Morgan Run O&M) – An engineering design plan will be prepared for future rehabilitation of the Morgan Run passive abandoned mine drainage treatment system located in Dunbar Township and within the Morgan Run Watershed. Future rehabilitation of the system will increase the system’s lifespan and continue restoration efforts of over four stream miles.
Natural Stream Foundation Inc. – $1,798,608
- Rowes Run – A nearly 900,000 cubic yard coal refuse pile located in Redstone Township will be reclaimed. Reclamation efforts will address water quality issues, remove dangerous hazards, and restore the land for human and natural ecological uses.
Somerset County
Somerset County Conservation District – $112,986
- Rock Tunnel Discharges – Project work includes the development and engineering design of a future abandoned mine drainage abatement project. Project development and engineering design will be completed to determine the most effective method to remove coal refuse and prepare a design plan to expand the Rock Tunnel Outfall passive treatment system in Conemaugh Township to treat additional abandoned mine drainage discharges impairing South Branch Bens Creek.
Washington County
Natural Streams Foundation Inc. – $193,493
- Dinsmore East – This project begins the initial efforts to remove over 250,000 cubic yards of coal refuse from a nearly five-acre site located in Smith Township. Project work includes preparing an engineering design plan and securing the appropriate permits for a future abandoned mine land reclamation project to remove the coal refuse.
