pennsylvania DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations

Transcription

1 pennsylvania DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations Abandoned Mine Reclamation Contract No. OSM 30(2791)102.1 Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation 286 Industrial Park Road Ebensburg, PA 15931

2 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACTIVE AND ABANDONED MINE OPERATIONS BUREAU OF ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION CONTRACT NO. OSM 30(2791)102.1 FACT SHEET Location: Official Start Date: Contract Completion Date: Contractor: Property Owners: Project Cost: Project Area: Purpose: Description: Morgan Township, Greene County July 11,2014 TBD Berner Construction, Inc. Greene County Industrial Development Authority 93 East High Street, Room 215 Waynesburg, PA $1,592,773 (Bid Amount) 70 Acres To eliminate public health and safety concerns that arise when dangerous features such as these are located within close proximity to places of intense visitation of humans. Fifteen inhabitable structures that promote intense public visitation are located within 500 feet of the project site. Access to the dangerous pile and embankment with parts experiencing surface burning located only 150 feet from structures will be eliminated. The Mather abandoned mine land site is a 70-acre coal refuse pile that is located in Morgan Township, Greene County on property currently owned by the Greene County Industrial Development Authority (GCIDA). The abandoned refuse pile, identified as Abandoned Mine Land Features (AMLFs) (SB), Surface Burning; AMLF No (OPE), Dangerous Pile Embankment; as well as additional associated features were the result of underground mining activities on the Pittsburgh Coal Seam. The Picklands Mather Company owned and operated the Mather Mine from its initial development in 1917 until its abandonment in The town of Mather borders the northern portion of the coal refuse pile. The southern portion of the pile terminates along the bank of South Fork of Tenmile Creek, extending along the stream for approximately 3,000 linear feet. Originally, the refuse pile contained an estimated 6.2 million yards of material, up to 170 feet in thickness. The refuse pile is a significant Priority 2 health and safety problem meeting the OSM criteria for a DPE due to its proximity to residential areas, steep unstable slopes and severely eroded areas. There is evidence of frequent site visitation by both pedestrian travel and by ATVs and

3 evidence that portions of the refuse material along the southern section of the pile has and to some degree is still burning as originally identified as an SB. Several previous reclamation projects have addressed portions of the pile including two Growing Greener projects and a Government Financed Construction Contract (GFCC). Approximately one million cubic yards of refuse material including slurry fines were removed from the site and portions of the pile were recontoured, compacted and vegetated. Limited amounts of on-site soil materials and manufactured growth media were used to cover the reclaimed portions providing partial stabilization of approximately 20 acres of the site. Severe erosion and instability continues to present a significant health and safety problem and also major adverse impact to the receiving stream, South Fork of Tenmile Creek, as a result of both siltation and acidic runoff during precipitation events. The proposed project will complete reclamation of the abandoned refuse pile, affecting the remaining portions of the site and repairing existing reclaimed areas as needed. Approximately 1,500 linear feet of the stream bank will be stabilized in order to complete stabilization efforts conducted under previous projects. The refuse material will be graded to a more stable configuration, compacted and covered with two to three feet of soil to provide an effective long term growth medium reducing both erosion of and infiltration into the refuse material. The soil cover will be provided through a cooperative effort with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCNR). DCNR is removing soil material at the Ryerson Station State Park in Richhill Township, Greene County as part of their Duke Lake Dam reconstruction project. Approximately 400,000 cubic yards of these DEP approved clean fill materials will be transported to the Mather site, through an interagency cost share agreement. The lake sediments will be amended as needed with alkaline material and fertilizer and utilized for site reclamation. In addition, excess soil material will be temporarily stored at the Mather site for use at another nearby abandoned refuse pile in Fredericktown Hill, PA. The project, OSM 63(0618)102.1, Black Dog Hollow, is proposed to be constructed within the next two years. Any and all unforeseen PA Code, Title 25, Chapter 105 Stream Encroachment and Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control issues will be addressed by the BAMR Design Unit and any necessary permit authorizations will be obtained. Funding: Project Management: AMLNW: Title IV - Non-Water Projects Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation Cambria District Office

4 OSM 30(2791) Location Map Mather OSM 30(2791)102.1 Features: AMLF No (SB) and AMLF No (DPE) Morgan Township Greene County

5 OSM 30(2791) Pre-Construction _ -