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The Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Division reclaims coal mine sites that were left abandoned prior to the implementation of federal coal mine reclamation standards which contain health and safety hazards and environmental problems resulting from past coal mining activities. The Division administers an emergency program to provide immediate assistance on coal mine-related problems which occur suddenly and are life-threatening, such as structures affected by mine subsidence, open mine shafts or pits, methane gas leaks and mine refuse fires. Federal law requires problem conditions to be reclaimed in a prioritized order of relative significance. The program addresses improperly sealed mine openings, escaping mine gases, mine refuse fires, hazardous equipment and facilities, dangerous impoundments, highwalls or embankments, flooding of roads, sites contributing to off-site pollution, acid water impoundments and coal refuse or mine spoils adversely affect land or water resources. The AML program maintains an inventory of problem sites and accepts site applications from the public. |