Burns: Johnstown abandoned mine reclamation project secures share of $7.8 million in DEP funding
Rep. Frank Burns May 30, 2023
EBENSBURG, May 30 – Continuing his commitment to strengthening recreation and tourism in the district, state Rep. Frank Burns announced today that a Johnstown abandoned mine land reclamation project will receive a portion of $7.8 million awarded for statewide environmental restoration projects.
Burns, D-Cambria, said the funding – administered by the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation – will allow the reclamation design to be completed for four abandoned mine land features located along the access road to the Johnstown Inclined Plane and the proposed Sliver Park area.
“Having new options for outdoor recreation and entertainment improves quality of life, so whether it involves renovating parks and playgrounds, expanding ATV trails, or upgrading local attractions, I will always fight to make sure our district receives its share of funding for those projects,” Burns said. “Securing this new funding is going to support reclamation work that will expand access to recreational trails, provide access for maintenance of the Inclined Plane and build on other projects underway to expand hillside recreation and tourism for the area.
“I’m proud to help ensure this funding comes back to benefit the hardworking families of our district, and I’m excited to see the work take shape.”
Burns said the project’s design will include recapping a vertical mine shaft, installing a permanent bat gate over a mine entry, and stabilizing a rock highwall and an existing haul/access road.
The funding is part of a package of grants awarded to 16 environmental restoration projects focused on the reclamation of abandoned mine lands, abatement of acid mine drainage through reclamation, and/or treatment of AMD through a treatment facility. More about the funding awarded under the AML/AMD Grant Program is available here:
https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/DEP_details.aspx?newsid=1751#:~:text=The%20Shapiro%20Administration%20Awards%20%247.8%20million%20dollars%20in%20Grants%20for%20Environmental%20Restoration%20Projects,-05%2F26%2F2023&text=Harrisburg%2C%20PA%20%E2%80%93The%20Pennsylvania%20Department,lands%2C%20totaling%20%247.8%20million%20dollars.