Protecting Communities. Restoring Lands. Holding Agencies Accountable.
Across coal country, abandoned mine lands (AML) stand as stark reminders of an extractive industry that profited while leaving communities to shoulder the long-term environmental and economic costs. From dangerous highwalls and open portals to polluted waterways and destabilized land, the legacy of abandoned mines continues to put people and ecosystems at risk.
Billions of dollars in federal reclamation funding exist to address these hazards- yet far too often, the communities most impacted see the least benefit. That’s where Citizens Coal Council comes in.
We work to ensure that reclamation is done right, that funds are used effectively, and that coalfield communities are front and center in decisions about how their lands and waters are restored.
A National Problem With Local Consequences
More than 5 million Americans live within one mile of an abandoned mine site. Pennsylvania alone contains over 5,000 documented AML hazards- one of the highest concentrations in the country. But the problem reaches far beyond the Appalachian region, affecting communities in the Midwest, the West, and tribal lands.
Abandoned mines contribute to:
- Acid mine drainage that turns streams orange and destroys aquatic life
- Unstable land and subsidence that damage homes and infrastructure
- Open shafts, highwalls, and mine fires that endanger public safety
- Contaminated drinking water supplies
- Lost economic potential in communities that already face industry decline
The scale of the challenge is immense- but so is the opportunity to rebuild healthier, more resilient coalfield communities.
Our Role: Oversight, Accountability, and Community Advocacy
Citizens Coal Council focuses on the work that ensures real, meaningful, lasting restoration:
Ensuring Federal and State Dollars Are Spent Responsibly
With billions in long-overdue reclamation funding now flowing through the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, oversight is more critical than ever. CCC monitors:
- State AML program decision-making
- Federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) oversight
- Prioritization of projects and whether the most dangerous sites are addressed
- Transparency in how public funds are allocated
- Whether community input is truly incorporated
Advocating for Community-Centered Reclamation
Reclamation should reflect the needs and priorities of the people who live with abandoned mine hazards every day. We work with frontline residents and coalfield organizations to ensure:
- Communities have a voice in project planning
- Environmental justice principles guide funding decisions
- Reclamation supports long-term community health and resilience
- Industrial and energy uses do not replace one harm with another
Demanding Enforceable Standards and Stronger Regulations
Regulations governing reclamation and post-mining land use vary across states- and too often fall short. CCC pushes for:
- Stronger federal oversight when states fail to act
- Consistent national standards for reclamation quality
- Policies that prevent future abandoned mines
- Greater public transparency in AML programs
Tracking Problem Sites and Chronic Polluters
Many “abandoned” sites are not truly abandoned- they are tied to companies that walked away, declared bankruptcy, or shifted ownership. CCC helps communities navigate:
- The distinction between pre-law AML sites and post-law bond forfeiture sites
- Holding coal companies accountable when liabilities are unclear
- Preventing “zombie mines” from being neglected and left to the public
A Future Built on Restoration, Not Neglect
Reclamation is more than fixing environmental damage. It’s about restoring trust, rebuilding landscapes, and giving coalfield communities the stability and dignity they deserve. Effective AML work can create jobs, improve public health, revitalize local economies, and make communities safer.
Citizens Coal Council is committed to ensuring that this historic opportunity is not wasted, and that restoration is done in ways that truly benefit the people who have lived with coal’s impacts for generations.