WASHINGTON — As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution and revitalize the environment and economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $400,000 in cooperative agreements for four watershed restoration projects in Iowa. The funds, part of OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP), go to non-profit watershed restoration groups and other non-profit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment facilities that help restore the biological health of local streams.
“Legacy coal mining sites continue to pollute our waterways,” said Principal Deputy Director Sharon Buccino. “Through the Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program, OSMRE is proud to provide funds to nonprofits to make people safer by cleaning up watersheds, setting the stage for a better future.”
“Watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural and recreational uses,” said Regional Director William Joseph. “WCAP funds help local nonprofit groups restore watersheds negatively impacted by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”
Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local economies and encouraging natural resource conservation, was awarded $400,000 for four AMD projects selected through a competitive merit review process. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation.
“Pathfinders RC&D looks forward to working with OSMRE to continue to improve Iowa’s water quality by removing the health and safety hazards often associated with abandoned mine lands,” said Ashley Utt, Pathfinders RC&D executive director. “Approximately 1700 acres across south central Iowa have been reclaimed through the partnership between Pathfinders,
OSMRE, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the County Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Iowa.”
The following watershed projects will each receive $100,000 from this round of WCAP grants for abating hazardous abandoned mine features and then clearing, re-grading, and re-vegetating the site: Woodruff North (120 acres), VAN EE (80 acres), and Johnson (10 acres), all near Bussey in Marion County; and Barnett (16 acres) near Knoxville in Marion County.
About the WCAP Program
WCAP grants are typically around $100,000 per project to complete local acid mine drainage reclamation projects. Projects can include installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. AMD projects are selected through a merit review process. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation.
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