ODNR to meet with landowners over mine reclamation funding

Courtesy Bureau Of

Land Management

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will hold open houses to discuss proposed abandoned mine land projects throughout Ohio including Athens and Vinton counties.

In a media release Wednesday, the ODNR said staff from the Division of Mineral Resources Management will be available to answer questions and discuss concerns about Ohio mines that were abandoned prior to 1977, when legislation addressing the reclamation of these mine lands went into effect. ODNR will explain the policies and procedures of Ohio’s Abandoned Mine Land Program and present a list of proposed projects.

Landowners in Athens, Vinton, Hocking, Meigs, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence and Scioto counties are encouraged to present details regarding abandoned mines located on their property and check on eligibility for funding. The meeting will be held in Athens on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 280 E. State St. from 5-7 p.m. For information about the Athens meeting call (740) 592-3748.

The ODNR plans to apply, in November, for more than $10 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior for abandoned mine reclamation projects. These projects are to be completed between January 2014 and December 2016.

Meeting locations for other counties include:

Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Wayne

Monday, Sept. 16, at 3601 Newgarden Rd. (330) 222-1527.

Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Washington

Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 11296 E. Pike Rd. in Cambridge. Phone: (740) 439-3640.

Carroll, Coshocton, Harrison, Jefferson, Tuscarawas on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 2207 Reiser Ave. SE, New Philadelphia. Phone: (330) 339-2207.