Thursday, Dec 29 2011 7:47PM
This is the most funding ever allocated in a single year, up more than $90 million from 2011. The U.S. Department of the Interior estimates it will generate more than $1 billion in economic activity and support thousands of rural jobs. A recent report estimated that the $369 in grants made during 2010 was directly responsible for more than 8,600 jobs and an economic impact of more than $1 billion dollars.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement director Joe Pizarchik recently announced more than $485 million in grants for the elimination of health and safety hazards on Abandoned Mine Land in fiscal year 2012.
This is the most funding ever allocated in a single year, up more than $90 million from 2011. The U.S. Department of the Interior estimates it will generate more than $1 billion in economic activity and support thousands of rural jobs. A recent report estimated that the $369 in grants made during 2010 was directly responsible for more than 8,600 jobs and an economic impact of more than $1 billion dollars.
"When our nation enacted mining reform in 1977, we made a simple and bold promise that the revenues from coal extraction today should help clean up the legacy of coal mining many years ago," said Secretary Salazar. "These grants help fulfill that promise while putting men and women to work across the country on restoration projects that will bring lands back to life, clean up rivers, and leave a better legacy for our children and grandchildren."
Grant recipients include the Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation, as well as 25 states. Wyoming is to receive the largest share by far, more than $150 million. The land is mostly scheduled to be reclaimed and repurposed for
rural community development.
For further reference, check out this source:
U.S. Department of the Interior