Gov. Beshear Announces $47 Million in Federal Funding to Restore Abandoned Mine Lands in Kentucky

Press Release

Governor Steve Beshear today announced the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources has received $46.9 million in funding from the federal government for mitigating the impacts posed by abandoned mine lands in Kentucky.

The funding comes from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement within the U.S. Department of the Interior and will help construct abandoned mine land reclamation and water supply replacement projects, as well as fund the state's administrative expenses.

The project's funding comes from coal receipts and is distributed through a congressionally mandated formula under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands within the department will oversee the funding.

"Protecting Kentuckians from the health and safety hazards of abandoned mines has been a priority of my administration, and this funding will assure citizens of the Commonwealth that there will be continued reclamation of the hazards caused by past mining," Gov. Beshear said. "These projects will also help create construction jobs, ultimately putting Kentuckians back to work and strengthening our economy."

States and Native American tribes saw a $90 million increase in funding over last year, with Kentucky receiving an additional $9.2 million this year -- a 25 percent increase. This year's overall national funding will generate more than $1 billion in economic activity and support thousands of jobs across the country.

The division is authorized under Kentucky law (KRS 350) to abate hazards to public health, safety, and the environment caused by mining that occurred prior to 1982. The abandoned mine lands program is a 100 percent federally funded, state-implemented program.

In addition to expending funds to reclaim safety hazards posed by past mining, the division has also expended more than $94.3 million for waterline improvements and has provided more than 13,400 households with potable water supply in 24 coalfield counties in eastern, southern and western Kentucky.

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