The Roundtop Southwest Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation project includes landowner engagement, survey, design, permitting, and construction bidding and management services. The site includes five Priority II Dangerous Highwalls, one PIII Highwall, six PIII Spoil Areas, and PII Portal/Mine Opening reclamation on properties owned by seven private landowners.

Landowner Engagement

A significant part of this AML reclamation project is the necessary property-owner engagement of each of the seven private landowners. To coordinate and complete this task, Kleinfelder is utilizing its Right-of-Way Program professionals. This team provides a range of real estate services to public and private clients looking to obtain right-of-entry or property acquisition for a variety of projects.

Hazard Reclamation and Water Quality Improvements 

Areas part of the project site in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, include a diverse set of AML features contained within three different AML designated Problem Areas: Roundtop, Roundtop Southwest, and Fort Hill. These features straddle the watershed divide between the Youghiogheny River and Jacobs Creek.

The three Problems Areas contain Priority II Dangerous Highwalls and Portals and Mine Openings from a historical deep mine, and Priority III Highwalls and their associated PIII Spoil Areas. Multiple features contained within the Roundtop Problem Area (Dangerous Highwall, Portals, and Mine Openings) have water quality impacts on an unnamed tributary to Jacobs Creek, which should be improved upon reclamation of the features.

Kleinfelder is providing landowner engagement, survey, design, permitting, and construction management assistance services toward the successful reclamation of these AML features. This project is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2024.

Project Results

The goal of this project is the elimination of the inventoried AML hazards located on seven private properties. Results should include the improvement of water quality — particularly to Jacobs Creek due to the reclamation of a flooded strip pit and deep mine portals, which contribute abandoned mine drainage to an unnamed tributary. This project is currently in the survey and design phase.

Project Details

Location:
Fayette County, PA
Owner:
Confidential