As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution and revitalize the environment and economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $300,000 in cooperative agreements for three watershed restoration projects in Iowa. The funds, part of OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program, go to non-profit watershed restoration groups and other non-profit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage treatment facilities that help restore the biological health of local streams.

“Watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural and recreational uses,” said Acting Regional Director William Joseph. “WCAP funds help local nonprofit groups restore watersheds negatively impacted by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”

Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local economies and encouraging natural resource conservation, was awarded $300,000 for three AMD projects selected through the merit review process for federal funding opportunities. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation.

“Pathfinders RC&D is excited to partner with OSMRE through the Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program,” said Ashley Utt, Pathfinders RC & D executive director. “With the continued efforts from OSMRE, Pathfinders RC&D, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Mahaska Soil Water Conservation District, water quality is being improved, and Iowa landscapes are being restored to their natural beauty.”

The following watershed projects will benefit from this round of WCAP grants:

$100,000 - McCrea Reclamation Project; Beacon, Iowa

This project will abate hazardous abandoned mine land features, re-establish pre-mining drainage patterns and construct nearly two acres of wetlands.

$100,000 – Jager North; Oskaloosa, Iowa

This project will eliminate coal mining features that present a danger to the public and re-establish pre-mining drainage patterns to include a small drainage way and two wetlands.

$100,000 – Jager South; Oskaloosa, Iowa

This project will eliminate coal mining features that present a danger to the public and re-establish pre-mining drainage patterns to include a small drainage way and two wetlands.