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west virginia department of environmental protection
west virginia department of environmental protection
west virginia department of environmental protection

Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation

About AML

Overview and History

The Office of Abandoned Mine Lands & Reclamation of West Virginia oversees and facilitates the resolving of public safety issues as mine fires & subsidence, hazardous highwalls, mining-impacted water supplies, open shafts and portals, and other dangers resulting from mining before 1977. Such practices were established by the Surface Mining and Control Act and the creation of the Office of AML&R in 1981. The Office of Surface Mining provides oversight to the Office of AML&R.

Learn more about the history of the Abandoned Mine Lands program .


Inception and Mission

Our mission is to protect public health, safety, and property from past coal mining and enhance the environment through reclamation and restoration of land and water resources.

The Office of Abandoned Mine Lands & Reclamation was created in 1981 to manage the reclamation of lands and waters affected by mining prior to passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) in 1977.

The AML program is funded by a fee placed on coal, currently set at 28 cents per ton for surface-mined coal, and 12 cents per ton for coal mined underground.

Contact Us

Travis Parsons, Deputy Director
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 414-1188
Fax: (304) 926-0458
Email: Travis.G.Parsons@wv.gov

Quick Links


Stay Away From Mine Sites

Dozens of deaths and injuries happen annually on mine property. The West Virginia Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation asks public and private persons or entities to keep off of any mine property. Please contact our offices (304) 926-0499 or by email for questions.

For more, visit the U.S. Department of Labor or contact = AskMSHA@dol.gov .

AML Projects

To bid on AML projects, the contractor/entity in question must be a registered vendor in the state of West Virginia and attend the mandatory pre-bid attached to each project. For a list of current projects, you may view projects out for bid ; these are usually updated every Friday or Monday.

AML Project Resources
  • Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program

    The Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program administers federal funding for economic development projects on abandoned mine lands. This program helps projects located on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) on Aug. 3, 1977.

  • Eligibility & Priority

    The Surface Mining Control & Reclamation Act (SMCRA) defines bodies of land and waters which are eligible for reclamation per 875.12 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

  • In-Stream Dosing Presentation

    Presentation of WV AML In-Stream Dosing for Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage

  • Recognized Projects

    Reclamation projects recognized by the Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation

  • Three Fork Creek Restoration

    A pilot project known as Three Forks Watershed Restoration was initiated with the construction of four (4) dosers in the spring of 2011.

  • View Projects Out for Bid

    On June 6, 2016, Senate Bill 474 became effective which exempts DEP’s construction and reclamation projects from the requirement of review by the WV Division of Purchasing. This site is to provide information related to bidding opportunities and project specific information and requirements to the vendor community.

  • WV AML In-Stream Dosing for Treatment of AMD

    West Virginia has historically attempted to abate Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) through passive treatment. Since the inception of the West Virginia Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation (AML) program, dozens of passive treatment systems have been constructed throughout the state. Constantly looking for an effective means of treating AMD, the WV AML program constructed numerous variations of passive treatment systems, which varied from a simple limestone channel to combinations of Anoxic Limestone Drains (ALD) and Successive Alkaline Producing Systems (SAPS). While the majority of these systems initially improved water quality, these sites often reverted to pre-treatment conditions after just a few years.  

 
 

Gallery of Completed AML Projects
Church Creek, pre-reclamation, is rocky and barren.
Church Creek, Pre-AML Construction
 
 
Church Creek, post-reclamation, is now grassy and lush.
Church Creek, Post-AML Construction
 
 
Birds Creek showing evidence of Acid Mine Drainage
Birds Creek, Pre-Reclamation
 
 
Birds Creek, after AML reclamation, now runs clear.
Birds Creek, Post-Reclamation
 
 
Kempton, pre-reclamation, barren.
Kempton, Pre-Reclamation
 
 
Kempton, post-reclamation, lush and vegetated
Kempton, Post-Reclamation
 
 
 

Notice of Public Meetings for Upcoming AML Projects

Public Meetings: 2​025 Planning List Public Meetings

WVDEP Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation will hold three public meetings to discuss the proposed reclamation projects, which have as their objective the alleviation of health, safety and environmental problems created by coal mines abandoned prior to August 3, 1977. The projects listed in the table, referred to as the 2025 Planning List, listed with region and county locations, will be discussed at the public meetings.  

Information regarding these projects, including required NEPA documentation, can be obtained by contacting Jonathan Knight at (304) 848-2074.  

The listed projects will be submitted to the Office of Surface Mining for funding consideration. Public meetings to explain the projects will be conducted as follows:

Fairmont (North)

Date: April 20, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location:
1000 Technology Drive
Suite 3220
Fairmont, WV 26554

Contact

Steve Hincks
Phone: (304) 848-2073
Email: Steven.J.Hincks@wv.gov

Charleston (South)

Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location:
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304

Contact

Jeff Davis
Phone: (304) 414-1204
Email: Jeffrey.Davis@wv.gov

Fayetteville (South)

Date: April 30, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location:
1159 Nick Rahall Greenway
Fayetteville, WV 25840

Contact

Jeff Davis
Phone: (304) 414-1204
Email: Jeffrey.Davis@wv.gov

 

Virtual Attendance

An option for virtual attendance will be provided. If planning to attend virtually, please contact the individuals identified above, or Megan Jones at (304) 848-2085 or Megan.A.Jones@wv.gov for access.

Should you not be able to attend the meeting, please contact one of the listed individuals regarding additional opportunities to discuss the project(s).

 

2025 Planning List

Project/PAD Name County Region
Putney Ridge HW #4 Brooke North
Bridgeport (Emily Drive) Mine Drainage IGT Harrison North
Godfrey (Pittston Rd.) Airshaft Drainage Harrison North
Liberty (Hamrick) Drainage Harrison North
Old Davidson Run (Good) Landslide Harrison North
Shinnston (Cunninham) Dangerous Impoundments Harrison North
Shinnston Area Wide Subsidence Harrison North
St. James Church Subsidence V Harrison North
Stonewood IGT Harrison North
Booths Creek (Browning Farms) Mines, Phase II Marion North
Helens Run VO Marion North
Prickett Creek (Montana) Dangerous Impoundment Marion North
Valentine Hollow Rd Portals Marion North
Vassar Lane Vertical Opening Phase 2 Marion North
Worthington Rail Trail Portals Marion North
Glen Dale (Howard) Shaft & Mine Facilities Marshall North
Bortz Mining Co. Phase II Monongalia North
Pierpont Heights (McFarland) Highwall Monongalia North
Cuzzart (Schnopps) Portal Preston North
Laurel Run Mine Shaft Phase II Preston North
Morgan Run Tipple Preston North
Scotch Hill (Jennings) UMF Phase 4 Preston North
Ivanhoe (Cartright) Highwalls Upshur North
Missouri Fork Refuse Boone South
Middle Mountain Highwall Greenbrier South
Old Field Mountain Spoil Pile Greenbrier South
Belle (Proctor) Landslide Kanawha South
Fowler Drainage Kanawha South
Leewood (Pritt) Slide and Drainage Kanawha South
Nunley Hollow (Hodge) Portals and Refuse Kanawha South
Slaughter Creek Complex Kanawha South
Aracoma Refuse Pile Logan South
Chief Logan Park - Phase II Logan South
Ethel Hollow Stream Restoration Logan South
Hobart Branch (Carter) Portals Logan South
Wolf Pen and Upper Dempsey Highwall Logan South
Maybeury Wall Drainage McDowell South
Roderfield (Lacy) Drainage McDowell South
Caswell Creek (Brabbs) Campground Mercer South
Heizer Creek B Complex Putnam South
Manila Creek B Phase 2 Putnam South
Little Whitestick Creek Refuse Pile Raleigh South
Skelton (USDA) Portal Raleigh South
Alpoca Mine Dump Wyoming South
Barkers Creek Drainage Wyoming South
 

Public Meeting: Wilkinson (Belcher) Phase II Public Meeting

A public meeting will be conducted to describe the proposed Abandoned Mine Land reclamation project, which has as its objective the alleviation of health, safety and environmental problems created by coal mines abandoned prior to August 3, 1977. Information regarding these projects, including required NEPA documentation, can be obtained from the WVDEP at 304-926-0485.  

The following project, listed with county location, will be explained at the public meeting. This project will be submitted to the Federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) for funding consideration. A public meeting to explain the project will be conducted as follows:  

 
 
 

Where

South Region - Charleston
WV DEP Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
 

 

When

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
 

 

Contact

Jeff Davis, Planning Administrator - Southern Region
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Abandoned Mine Lands & Reclamation
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0485
Email: Jeffrey.Davis@wv.gov
 

 
 

Virtual Attendance

An option for virtual attendance will be provided. If planning to attend virtually, please contact Jeff Davis by phone at (304) 926-0485.  

 
 

Upcoming Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Projects

The WV Office of Abandoned Mine Lands held an open house meeting in order to discuss upcoming reclamation projects to be funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) on December 13, 2022. The following presentations were created and shared by the consultants who are currently working on the design for each of the projects. There are proposals for each of the nine Design contracts. In addition, there are a number of traditional AML projects that are scheduled to bid over the next 12 months.  

 

Additional Resources

 
 

Presentations

Contract 1: Terradon AML Projects for 2023
  • Algoma Refuse and Portals
  • Greenbrier Hollow Refuse (Phase II)
  • Drews Creek Dangerous Impoundment
  • Crany Mine Dump (Phase II)
  • Gilliam Refuse Pile
  • Crumpler (Scott) Draining Portal
  • Indian Creek (Dillon) Portals
 
 
 
Contract 2: RESPEC: AML Project South
  • Crown Hill Refuse, Slide, and Drainage
  • Morris Creek Treatment
  • Summerlee AMD Treatment
  • Price Hill Complex - Pond Cleaning
  • Beckley Soccer Complex
  • MacArthur Subsidience
 
 
 
Contract 3: ELR
  • Green Valley Highwall "D" and Refuse Piles
  • Green Valley Highwall "A" and Draining Portals
  • Brushy Meadow Creek Highwall "A"
  • Brushy Meadow Creek Highwall "B"
  • Big Run Slide and Drainage
  • Shant Branch Portals
  • Tioga Strip Highwalls
 
 
 
Contract 4: Alliance Consulting: AML Project South
  • Big Creek Landslide
  • Black Bottom Drainage
  • Logan County Airport UMF
  • Camp Chief Logan BSA Portals
  • Campbells Creek Drainage
  • Gun Range Road (Dials) Portals
 
 
 
Podesta: 2022 AML Contract 5 Projects - North
  • Laurel Point (Travinski) Portals
  • Left Fork of Little Sandy Subsidience
  • McAlpin (Lambert) Landslide
  • Smith Run Portal

Note: The 2022 presentation PDF is 490 MB

 
 
 
Contract 6: Civil Tech: AML North
  • Clarksburg (Post) Landslide
  • Fairmont Gateway Connector
  • Horner's Run Portals
  • Lick Run 5
 
 
 
Contract 7: D&H: AML Projects North
  • Weston (Curtis) Landslide
  • Upland Run (Harrison) AMD and Drainage
 
 
 
Contract 8: Civil & Environmental Consultants: 2022 AML North Projects
  • Brownton Refuse #2
 
 
 
Contract 9: Tetra Tech
  • Three Fork Creek Watershed Restoration Project
  • Abram Creek AMB Treatment Phase II Project
  • Richard (Shaver) Drainage Project
 
 
 

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Report an Emergency

Imminent Danger: 911
Official Emergency Spill Report
1-800-642-3074
Non-Emergency
1-304-926-0499

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