$504,000 in Mine Reclamation Funding Secured for Pottsville

HARRISBURG – A Schuylkill County project will receive funding under Pennsylvania's Growing Greener program, according to the county's legislative delegation.

More than $500,000 has been awarded to the City of Pottsville for the Sharp Mountain Phase VI Reclamation Project.

The project will help reclaim 28.25 acres of dangerous crop fall subsidence, along vertical coal seams. This grant was among $12.6 million in grants that will fund 64 projects across the state to clean up rivers, streams and watersheds.

"As a coal region kid who literally grew up in the shadow of an abandoned strip mine, I understand that these projects save lives every day," said Sen. Dave Argall (R-29). "I cosponsored the Growing Greener legislation because of the urgent local need for funding for abandoned mine projects. I am pleased that the City of Pottsville was able to secure this important funding."

"Subsidence in this area has posed a danger to hikers, joggers, bicyclists and dirt bikers for many years," said Rep. Neal Goodman (D-123). "This investment of state money will help address the problem."

"I want to commend the incredible cooperation between Dan Koury, watershed manager at the Pottsville DEP office, and the Pottsville mayor and his staff," said Rep. Tim Seip (D-125). "They worked with the legislative delegation to reclaim this land and avert a lot of safety hazards for our constituents and others."

The Growing Greener program was created in 1999 to improve the state's economy and environment. Specifically, this program is helping to protect watersheds and clean acid mine drainage across the Commonwealth.

Contact:

Nick Troutman, 717-787-2637 (Sen. Argall)

Bob Laylo, 717-787-7895 (Rep. Goodman)

Ben Turner, 717-787-7895 (Rep. Seip)