West Huntington Joint Reclamation Project, Arkansas
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2001 Mid-continent Region Award: West Huntington Joint Reclamation Project, Arkansas |
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The abandoned site had typical dangerous mine-related features that fascinate the public: steep and unstable piles and embankments that were used by all-terrain enthusiasts, a dangerous vertical and unstable highwall with a road at the top edge, and treacherously deep acid water bodies that were used for swimming. Open dumping was prevalent throughout the project area. Acid-forming conditions of the mine spoil and the water readily broke down the refuse into detrimental leachates. The physical position of the mine spoil and the underground mine workings were readily allowing leachates into the ground water .
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In late 1997 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) approached the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to encourage integrating the resources of both agencies to jointly reclaim an abandoned mine land site. Both government agencies had been successfully reclaiming abandoned coal mine sites for nearly 20 years; but, had not jointly completed projects. Working together aerial photos were procured, digitized, and engineering work completed, and the West Hunting Project embraced as the ideal joint project for pooling of funds from both agencies. Through a cooperative agreement, the Natural Resources Conservation Service provided the first $200,000 of construction funding.
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The abandoned mine hazards were eliminated and the site is now an integral part of the Arkansas landscape
The reclamation of the site eliminated many health and safety hazards. The public is no longer in danger and the open site is being integrated back into the natural Arkansas landscape. Groundwater degradation has been eliminated and a dangerously crooked stretch of state highway was eliminated. This was an excellent synergistic opportunity between federal, state, and county authorities that saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars.
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