Water Protection Prioritized in Interior Mine Cleanup Guidance

Water supply restoration projects are among the Interior Department’s top priorities in agency guidance for how states should spend the first $725 million of infrastructure funding for abandoned coal mine reclamation.

The department on Monday released draft guidance to the states and the Navajo Nation. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act earmarked $11.3 billion to be spent over the next 15 years for cleaning up abandoned mine lands, including old coal mines, to prevent further water pollution and other environmental hazards.

• Highest priority projects include those that protect public health from “extreme” and adverse effects of coal mining, followed by ...