Reclamation projects are slated for nearly a dozen abandoned mines in west central Illinois.
They include work at sites in Fulton, Knox, McDonough, and Schuyler counties.
They were selected through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Illinois will receive $75.7 million for land and water reclamation work at 55 abandoned mine sites throughout the state during the first year of the grant.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will accept public comments on the plans through May 22, 2023. They can be emailed to Lance.L.Range@illinois.gov or mailed to Lance Range, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Mines and Minerals, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702.
The state agency’s Abandoned Mine Land program addresses serious environmental and safety problems at coal mines and other mines that were abandoned prior to Aug. 3, 1977.
Projects proposed for the first year of the grant include:
Fulton County
- Shields Chapel Cemetery Highwall – Correction of dangerous highwall and haul road to prevent the overflow of water and possible outwash of downstream land bridges.
- Taylor Road Embankment – Reclamation of dangerous embankment to prevent vehicles from falling into the water-filled impoundment.
- McKinley Road Embankments – Correct five dangerous embankments.
Knox County
- Snakeden Hollow – Modifications to a dam are needed to accommodate water level fluctuations.
- Sanchez Property – Dangerous slope and embankment will be addressed; site is located near a residential home.
- Round House Dam – Reclamation of culverts to prevent future possible dam failure.
- Hook and Bullet Club – Grading the barren waste areas to eliminate gullies and steep slopes, with acid mine drainage treatment.
- Farmington Embankments – Reclamation of clogged stream, dangerous piles or embankments, and dangerous highwall to correct the extreme hazard to local farmers and residents.
McDonough County
- Argyle Lake State Park Drift – Reclaim the portal; the drift is just 30 feet from a park road and adjacent to a display, where visitation is quite high.
- Colchester West – Reclaim vertical openings and gob material, which is releasing acid mine drainage and sedimentation.
Schuyler County
- Peabody Key Strip – Five sections of highwall to be reclaimed to remediate dangerous piles or embankments.
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