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Tamaqua Demonstration Project
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The Springdale Pit reclamation
site is part of a large surface mine owned by Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co. (LC&N), which mined the site
through the 1990's and is now reclaiming it using on-site spoil material and coal ash from several coal-fueled
power generating stations. The coal ash is trucked in from approved sites and placed in the pit, which is
located in a remote location on the eastern edge of the Borough of Tamaqua in Schuylkill County.
The very large surface mining permit held by LC&N stretches from Tamaqua to Nesquehoning, Carbon County.
This permit also includes other mined areas called "Job 99," "Job 111" and "Little
Italy." LC&N began placing coal ash in the Little Italy area about 10 years ago. That area is located
roughly 12 miles from Tamaqua. The company began placing the ash in the Springdale pit about one year ago.
The goal of the ash projects is to improve and enhance reclamation efforts at the Springdale Pit and Little Italy
sites. This reclamation is regulated by the mining permit and will reduce safety hazards to the local residents
and reduce the impact of acid mine drainage in the future. Through this reclamation, the sites can be restored
back to a more useful and visually appealing state. Without the use of coal ash, the site will not be reclaimed
to its original contour.
This website is designed to provide information on the progress and the background history of the
Springdale Pit project. DEP will update this page as new information becomes available in order to keep the
residents of the Borough of Tamaqua informed about what's happening at the Springdale Pit.
In order to inform the public on this project, we've included a list of frequently asked questions and their
answers in an easy-to-understand format. |
