Illinois e-News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2024

Media contact: [email protected]

IDNR accepting public comment on next round of mine reclamation projects

Deadline to comment is Sept. 20

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting public comment through Sept. 20 about the abandoned mine lands reclamation projects that have been selected for work through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

IDNR’s Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Division was awarded $75.7 million for land and water reclamation work at 55 abandoned mine sites throughout Illinois during the first year of the grant. IDNR is eligible to receive $75.7 million per year for a total of 15 years through IIJA to address additional reclamation projects.

The Abandoned Mine Land program addresses serious environmental and safety problems at coal and non-coal mines that were abandoned prior to Aug. 3, 1977.

States may use the federal grants to address coal abandoned mine land problems, including hazards resulting from legacy coal mining that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment; water supply restoration; and coal abandoned mine land emergencies.

Comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Lance Range, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Mines and Minerals, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702.

Projects proposed for the second year of the grant include:

Franklin County

Ward Mine – Openings and hazardous equipment will be corrected.

Fulton County

Spoon River No. 1 – Vertical openings will be sealed, and concrete and refuse will be covered.
Aiden Coal Company No. 9 – Vertical openings will be sealed and concrete and refuse will be eliminated.
Roy Post Mine – Slope entries will be sealed and sinkholes addressed.
United Electric Cuba Mine – Reclamation will address steep embankments.

Gallatin County

National Mining – Reclamation to eliminate dangerous highwall.
Peabody Bridge – Reclamation to address bridge.

Grundy County

Northern Illinois Coal Corp. (Lincoln Lake) – Reclamation will address steep embankments.

Henry County

Oaks Coal Mine – Vertical openings will be sealed, preventing human exposure.

Jackson County

Tab Simco Bioretor Rebuild No. 2 – Reclamation work will improve the water affected by acid mine drainage.

LaSalle County

French Coal Co. – Reclamation will fill in slump areas and address drainage.
Osage Coal Co. SM-2 – Reclamation will address drainage issues around Dee Bennett Road.
Deer Park Mine – Reclamation will seal slope entry and shafts and address acid mine drainage.

Montgomery County

Cosgrove Meehan No. 5 – Acid mine drainage will be addressed.
Mount Olive and Livingston No. 1 – Acid mine drainage will be addressed.

Peoria County

Wildlife Prairie Park – Reclamation will eliminate steep slopes and cover gob material.
Crescent Coal Company No. 2 A/S – Mine openings will be sealed, preventing human exposure.
Edwards Mine, Stegmaier Property – Reclamation will eliminate steep slopes and cover gob material.

Perry County

Burning Star No. 2, Phase III – Dangerous highwalls and embankments will be corrected.
Burning Star No. 2, Coconut Road Bridge – Coconut Road bridge and culverts will be corrected.

Schuyler County

Peterson Coal Company – Refuse will be buried or eliminated.
Cleavenger Mine – Vertical openings will be sealed and refuse will be covered.

St. Clair County

Sugar Creek Estates – Reclamation will eliminate steep slopes.

Tazewell County

B&B Mine – Vertical opening will be sealed.
Manhattan Coal Co. – Reclamation will address depression left by settled shaft.
Liberty Mine – Vertical opening and drift entry will be sealed and refuse will be covered.

Vermilion County

Kickapoo Embankments Drainage – Reclamation will correct drainage issues.
Mauk Pond Embankment – Reclamation will repair riprap to protect embankment.
Nelson and Son Mine – Correct reclamation of vertical openings to protect residents.
Dowiatt No. 2 – Mine openings will be sealed.
Frederickson No. 1 – The vertical openings will be sealed.
Missionfield Road Highwall – Reclamation will address steep embankments.
Kickapoo Sportman Lake – Reclamation will address steep embankments.

Will County

North Will Road – Reclamation will address steep embankments.

Williamson County

Veterans Airport – Reclamation work will address dangerous piles, embankments, and spoil areas.
Wenezel Brothers Surface Mine – Dangerous highwalls and embankments will be addressed.
Carterville Coal Co. – Reclamation activities will address openings.
Amax Nixville Bridge – Reclamation will address bridge.
Delta Collieries Tecumseh – Acid mine drainage and clogged stream lands will be addressed.
Bluebird Turner – Hazardous equipment and facilities and remaining gob material will be reclaimed.

The list of second-year projects is also available online. Visit the IDNR website for more information about abandoned mine lands reclamation in Illinois.

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IDNR accepting public comment on next round of mine reclamation projects

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