DNR receives regional award for project on former mine land near Pleasantville

An Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Reclamation project completed on Greene-Sullivan State Forest near Pleasantville, in Sullivan County’s Jefferson Township, has received the highest regional award the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) presents annually.

“Indiana’s outdoor spaces are one of our greatest assets, and this award-winning project shows what’s possible when we take responsible stewardship seriously,” said Governor Mike Braun. “By reclaiming former mine land, the Department of Natural Resources is making our forests safer, healthier, and more accessible for Hoosiers while restoring land for recreation, wildlife, and future generations. I’m grateful for DNR’s continued leadership in protecting Indiana’s natural beauty and turning past industrial sites into places families can enjoy.”

The award, called the Interior States Region Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Award, was presented to DNR Reclamation’s AML program at the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs conference Oct. 6.

“The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards recognize the most outstanding examples of reclamation work in the nation, and Indiana continues to distinguish itself through consistent excellence,” said Lanny Erdos, OSMRE director. “The South Lake Highwalls project showcases how innovation and strong community collaboration can turn legacy coal mining hazards into safer, more sustainable spaces that benefit current and future coal communities."

AML projects are designed to transform former mine land to restore or address safety, health, and environmental hazards. The winning project, called the South Lake Highwall Project, combined the work of DNR’s AML program with the cooperative efforts of the DNR Division of Forestry and Jefferson Township.

The project covered more than 81 acres including 10.5 acres of water and 71 revegetated acres. A total of 3,550 linear feet of dangerous highwalls were eliminated, and roughly 49 acres of spoil slopes were graded. At least five acid seeps were addressed, and a number of deposits of coal waste and other materials were buried to prevent acid mine drainage.

In addition to safety and environmental improvements, the project provided improved ecological services, increased quality hardwoods and hardwood regeneration research plots, increased accessibility, including opportunities for recreation, and enhanced wildlife habitat.

The award continues Indiana AML’s award-winning tradition. The program also earned the Interior States Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024.

“This project is a great example of the benefits that can be provided through a state abandoned mine land program,” said Kit Turpin, DNR’s AML program director. “This work on Greene-Sullivan State Forest demonstrates how thoughtful engineering and planning can restore naturalized beauty and native hardwoods and improve water quality on a post-industrial landscape.

“This project also made major gains in recreational accessibility, so that all Hoosiers can enjoy those benefits,” said Turpin.

A video describing the project can be viewed at bit.ly/4qgKuiT.

Additionally, before and after photos of the project can be downloaded in this news release.

“Thanks to incredible work and collaboration on projects like this, you’d never know that many now-favorite spots for outdoor recreation across southern Indiana are sites of former coal mining,” said Alan Morrison, DNR director. “This award-winning project at Greene-Sullivan State Forest is an excellent example of work that is reclaiming former mine land for safety and recreation.”

The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards, established in 1992, recognize exemplary state and Tribal reclamation projects that reclaim coal mine sites that were abandoned before the signing of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

Since 1982, Indiana’s AML program has restored more than 2,600 AML construction sites that encompass approximately 25,659 acres of pre-law abandoned coal mines and related impacts.

DNR administers the surface coal mining laws for Indiana. The AML program is responsible for eliminating threats to the public and environment remaining from coal mining activity prior to the enactment of current law. The program is available to public and private landowners experiencing negative impacts from legacy mining. Because reclamation funding is distributed based on need, the AML program is cataloging future projects. Indiana’s eligibility for these federal grants depends upon the state’s inventory of abandoned mine land. To qualify for funding, the land must have been mined and abandoned prior to 1977.

Owners of such land should email their information directly to the AML program at abandonedminesrestoration@dnr.IN.gov. They can also call 1-800-772-MINE (6463) or the Reclamation office number, 812-665-2207.

DNR permits and inspects active coal mines. For more information, call the DNR Division of Reclamation field office in Jasonville at 812-665-2207 or, if calling inside Indiana, 1-800-772-6463, toll-free.