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Legacy:
- Colorado’s
heritage is mining. It’s what led many people to the state in 1859 and was
the most important economic activity for many years.
- Over 23,000
hazardous mines and 1,300 miles of streams are impacted by past mining.
- Mine openings
may seem safe to explore but are dangerous and can contain unstable soil,
unsafe roofs and ladders, deadly gases, poisonous snakes and dangerous explosives.
- Outdoor recreation
near abandoned mines requires caution, RMS records show that since 1955
abandoned mines have claimed 18 lives. In addition, every year someone needs
to be rescued from an abandoned mine.
Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
- The program
is funded through the Department of the Interior by reclamation fees paid
by current coal mine operations
- RMS receives
on average $2 million a year for safeguarding work
- $5,000 is average
cost for closure of an abandoned mine feature
- There is no
other program to address past mining hazards and minimal funding is available
for environmental projects.
- Mining sites
in Colorado encompass a wide range of historical and cultural properties.
They vary from coal mining properties to precious metals, to dredges and
mill sites associated towns, camp sites and out buildings. Providing preservation
along with safety and environmental clean-up is important to local communities.
Accomplishments:
- Since 1980,
the program has safeguarded 6,127 hazardous openings and reclaimed 1539
acres of abandoned mined land statewide.
- The major program
activity is to identify the hazards and environmental problems arising from
abandoned mines, design appropriate closure methods and reclamation techniques
for project sites, and reclaim or safeguard abandoned mine hazards and environmental
problems. Project activities include: field investigations, project development,
project design, realty work, historical cultural resource evaluation, wildlife
considerations, NEPA compliance, construction contract bidding and management,
site construction and reclamation, construction inspection, site monitoring
and maintenance of prior project work.
- RMS has numerous
partners participating in closure projects and also interested in alerting
the public to the hazards of exploring abandoned and inactive mines. Partners
include the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, Division
of Wildlife, Women in Mining, local county and city governments, mining
associations, private citizens and the Colorado Scenic and Historic By-Ways
Commission
Funding
Abandoned
Mine Reclamation Program