RICHMOND – January 14, 2008 – Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that the counties of Buchanan and Lee will receive a combined total of $1,979,842 in Abandoned Mine Land (AML) funding for public water projects in April 2008. One project in each county has been selected for construction funding under Virginia’s AML FY08 Grant administered by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. Water supplies in both project areas were impacted by pre-1981 coal surface mining activities, thereby making them eligible for AML funding.
“Due to the reauthorization last year of the Federal Abandoned Mine Land Program and a subsequent increase in available grant funds, Virginia is now able to expand its funding for public water projects in the Southwest Virginia coalfield region,” said Governor Kaine.
Virginia’s federally funded AML Program reclaims dangerous coal mine sites abandoned prior to the enactment of Virginia’s Coal Surface Mining Reclamation Act in 1981. The program has spent approximately $93 million since 1978 to reclaim landslides, close mine openings, clean up sediment clogged streams, neutralize acid mine drainage, extinguish mine refuse fires and restore public water supplies. Virginia AML funds originate from reclamation taxes paid by the state’s coal industry.
“Since 1984, Virginia’s AML program has helped provide water to 7,172 households in the coalfield area using over $19 million in AML funding,” said Commerce and Trade Secretary Patrick O. Gottschalk. “We commend the Buchanan County Public Service Authority (PSA) and the Lee County Board of Supervisors on behalf of their PSA for seeking these grants as well as the supplemental funding that will make these projects possible.”
The first phase of the Looney Creek and Elkins Branch Water Line Extensions Project will service 74 households in Buchanan County by extending the county’s existing public water lines. The project represents the initial phase of construction for the extension of public water service into the Looney Creek and Elkins Branch areas of Buchanan County. AML funding for phase one totals $1,082,410. Additional funding for the project will come from the Coalfield Water Development Fund and the Buchanan County PSA.
The third phase of the Robbins Chapel Water Extension Project will service 36 households in Lee County by extending the county’s existing public water lines. The project represents a continuation of a program to address the need for clean drinking water in the Robbins Chapel area of the county. AML funding for phase three is $897,432. Additional funding for the project will come from the Virginia Department of Health, the LENOWISCO Planning District and the Lee County PSA.
