ODNR wins abandoned mine land programme award

September 4, 2019

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) won the US Department of the Interior’s (USDOI) Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation National Award for a project in Tuscarawas County.

ODNR will be recognised for its work on the Dessecker Mine Project at the 2019 Reclamation Awards in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 9 September.

Mary Mertz, ODNR director, says: “Restoring this land clears the way for safe and fun recreation for generations to come. Congratulations to the community and ODNR’s AML Program staff on this accomplishment.”

The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation and the Boy Scouts own the project’s land. Before, the site had problems with polluted water, open mine entrances and dangerous equipment presenting a hazard to the public. ODNR staff worked with contractor Red Malcuit and closed the entrances, got rid of dangerous highwalls and removed debris. Scouts, visitors and locals can now safely enjoy the former mine site.

The AML Reclamation National Award is presented by USDOI’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). ODNR’s AML Program is run by the Division of Mineral Resources Management.

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