Emergency Reclamation Activities
In 2002, the Office of Surface Mining spent more than $8 million abating more than 340 hazards that impacted the public and the environment. In addition to performing valuable environmental restoration work, the reclamation program is improving the quality of life in the coal fields by converting abandoned mines into pastures, wildlife, and recreational habitat. Reclaiming sites protected private homes, roadways, schools, places of worship, playgrounds, offices and businesses. Steady progress was made in 2003 abating serious health and safety risks to people and communities. These abatement measures include closing 28 mine openings, extinguishing 21 mine fires, and stabilizing 129 landslides.