The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) works throughout the state’s coal fields to protect the public from health and safety problems caused by mining that occurred prior to 1982.
Examples of hazards that can be found on abandoned mine sites are landslides, water-filled pits, open mine portals and dilapidated equipment and buildings. The division restores these degraded sites to a safe and environmentally stable condition through a process known as reclamation.
The division also administers a bond forfeiture reclamation program. Before coal companies begin mining at a site, they must post a reclamation bond. A company's bond may be forfeited to the commonwealth if the company fails to mine and reclaim a site to the standards specified in its mining permit. The forfeited funds are used by the state to reclaim the site for which the bond was posted.
DAML also administers a water supply replacement program. The division extends waterlines into areas where drinking water has been contaminated by past mining. The division budgets up to 30 percent of its annual funding on waterline projects each year.
The division’s AML program is 100 percent funded by the federal government. The federal government gets its funding for AML programs by collecting a fee on every ton of coal produced by mining operations nationwide. The division has a central office in Frankfort and field offices in Prestonsburg, London and Madisonville.
Emergency Contact
If you want to report a problem and it is an emergency situation where life or property is in danger, you should contact the
Federal Office of Surface Mining's AML Emergency Office in
Lexington at 1-800-936-5845.
Field Offices
If you are experiencing difficulty with an abandoned mine land problem and wish to report it to this division for investigation, please call the regional office that services the county where the problem is located.
SOLICITATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE COLLINS REFUSE PROJECT
The Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (KYDAML) is soliciting public comment on a proposed Abandoned Mine Land Enhancement Rule Reclamation Project in the community of Southdown, in Letcher County. The project is being proposed pursuant to the guidelines in 30 CFR 874.17, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan. The division will accept comments from the public until close of business Jan. 6, 2010. Any person or group may submit comments in writing through the U.S. Postal Service or via e-mail.
A description of the proposed project and plan maps (map1, map2)can be viewed and downloaded, or call 502-564-2141 and request to have a copy of the project proposal mailed to you.
Comments may be mailed to:
Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands
Collins Refuse Project
2521 Lawrenceburg Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Comments may be e-mailed to:bill.overman@ky.gov
Please put Collins Refuse Project in the subject line of the e-mail.
Johnson County to Receive Waterline Project
The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the commencement of construction for the Butcher Hollow Water Supply Project for Johnson County. On-site construction will begin Aug. 17 with a projected completion date of January 2010.
Press Release Date: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Water Supply Project for Knott County
The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the commencement of construction for the Irishman Creek Phase IV Water Supply Project for Knott County, Kentucky.
Press Release Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
STAY OUT/STAY ALIVE
Abandoned mines are not playgrounds! Many people, especially the young, are injured or killed each year because they wrongly assume abandoned mines are safe places to play or explore.
AML FEE REAUTHORIZATION APPROVED FOR 15 YEARS
Comprehensive legislation reauthorizing the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program under Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) was passed by the congress on Dec. 9, 2006, and was signed by the president on Dec. 20, 2006. This bill represents the culmination of years of work by the states, federal government and others to address the future of the AML program.
Search Federal AML Inventory System
Not all Kentucky AML problems have been entered into the federal database, primarily because of the large volume of AML problems in the commonwealth. However, Kentucky does maintain an in-house inventory that contains all reported AML problems in the state.
