This document summarizes the history of coal mining in northeastern Pennsylvania and the work of the Earth Conservancy over 25 years to reclaim abandoned mine lands and support community redevelopment. It describes how the coal industry declined after World War II, leaving behind environmental degradation and economic hardship. The Earth Conservancy was founded in 1992 and has since reclaimed over 2,000 acres of abandoned mine lands, supported watershed restoration projects, and facilitated industrial, commercial and residential development on reclaimed lands. Key lessons learned include starting with a strategic plan, gaining stakeholder support, effective communication, and being persistent in achieving environmental and economic goals.

1. Lessons Learned from 25 Years
of Recovery, Reuse, and Redevelopment
2017 PA ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION CONFERENCE
Elizabeth W. Hughes, EdD
Thursday, June 22, 2017

2. History of the Region
• Settled in the late 1700s
• Flourished with rise of the coal
industry, particularly anthracite: a
hard, clean, long-burning, and thus
efficient fuel source.
• By the mid-1800s, more than 50
collieries were operating in the
Wyoming Valley.
• By 1910, nearly 85 million tons of coal
were culled annually for distribution
along the East Coast.
"Map of Pennsylvania Showing the Principal Deposits of Iron, Anthracite Coal,
Petroleum and Zinc," by H. F. Walling and O. W. Gray, published by Stedman, Brown
& Lyon, Philadelphia, PA, 1872. Retrieved from www.explorepahistory.com
The Wyoming Valley of northeastern Pennsylvania

3. Huber Breaker, Ashley, PA | 1954
Taken by the Glen Alden Safety Department; retrieved from the Library of Congress

4. Industry in Decline
• After World War II, mining began to decline.
• Knox mine disaster prompted local collapse.
• When the companies shut down, operations
were abandoned entirely.
• Pennsylvania has more than 250,000 acres of
abandoned mine lands in 45 of its 67
counties – higher than any other state.
• Associated water pollution contaminates
more than 5,500 miles of Pennsylvania
waterways.
Photo by Stephen N. Lukasik (1959); retrieved from
www.explorepahistory.com

5. South Valley of Luzerne County, PA | 1959
Taken by the USDA; retrieved from the Penn Pilot Project

6. Now, a Region in Need
The state of the Wyoming Valley is one familiar to many areas that flourished
alongside a particular industry. Whether coal, textiles, or steel, when demand
dropped, plant doors closed and jobs disappeared, leaving residents to deal with
the repercussions.
• Older population
• Declining population
• Lower median household income & home values
• Higher poverty rate
• Lower education levels
• Higher unemployment rate

7. Huber Breaker, Ashley, PA | 1993
Taken by G. Harven; retrieved from the Library of Congress

8. Who We Are & What We Do
Founded in 1992, Earth Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the
reclamation and return of over 16,000 acres of former coal company-owned
land to the region. Our mission is to mend the environment, improve the
community, and encourage economic growth.
Our primary activities involve
• Land Use Planning
• Mineland Reclamation
• Watershed Restoration
• Recreation & Conservation

9. Land Use Planning
Initial LUP identified:
• 4,000 mine-scarred acres
• Two affected watersheds
And recommended:
• 2,200 acres for industry/commerce
• 2,800 for residential development
• 10,000 acres for open space
• 3½-mile new roadway
Other plans and studies followed:
• Wyoming Valley Open Space Plan
• S.R. 29 Mixed-Use Master Plan
• I-81 Exit 168 Master Plan
• ATV Park Feasibility Study
• Plymouth Twp. Land Use Study
• Reuse Analysis – SV Corridor Lands
• Hanover Crossings Land Use Plan

10. Mineland Reclamation
Huber IV Bliss Bank, Phase I

11. Watershed Restoration
Askam Borehole AMD Treatment SystemEspy Run Constructed Wetlands Enhancement

12. Recreation & Conservation
Sugar Notch Trails Ashley Planes

13. Environmental Education
Earth Day Events Askam Borehole AMD Treatment System
Wayside Exhibit

14. Community Services
Community Garden Leaf & Yard Waste Composting Facility

15. Projects & Sources of Funding
Over our 25 years, Earth Conservancy has undertaken over 50 major projects, with
over $47.3 million invested.
Success requires extensive collaboration with and support by a variety of agencies,
organizations, institutions, businesses, and local communities.
Land Reclamation
$36,567,000
77%
Water Quality
$2,837,000
6%
Planning
$2,996,000
6%
Compost
$3,560,000
8%
Open Space
$878,000
2%
Other
$515,000
1%
Sponsored & Facilitated Projects through 2016
Earth Conservancy
$14,488,000
31%
PADEP-BAMR
$15,216,000
32%
PA DEP
$6,580,000
14%
US EPA
$3,463,000
7%
PA DCED
$2,473,000
5%
Luzerne County
$771,000
2% USACE
$994,000
2% Other
$3,368,000
7%
Sources of Funding through 2016

16. Concrete City
2009 • Reclamation of 25 acres • Project Cost $333,000 • Funded by USEPA and EC

17. Franklin Bank
2009 • Reclamation of 15 acres • Project Cost of $337,000 • Funded by USEPA and EC

18. Espy Run Constructed Wetlands/Enhancement
2008 • AMD Mitigation • Project Cost of $240,000 • Funded by USEPA and EC

19. Greater Hanover Area Recreation Park
2011 • Reclamation of 65 acres • Project Cost of $1.9 million • Funded by USDA, PADEP, PADOT,
PADCED, Luzerne County, Private & In-kind Contributions, and EC

20. Huber Bank | Phases I – IV
2013 • Reclamation of 185 acres • Project Cost of $9.4 million • Funded by PADCED and EC

21. Hanover 9 | Phases I & II
2014 • Reclamation of 149 acres • Project Cost of $1.6 million • Funded by USEPA, PADEP, and EC

22. Askam Borehole AMD Treatment System
2014 • AMD Mitigation • Project Cost of $950,000 • Funded by OSMRE, PADEP, PACD, and EC

23. Warrior Run | Slope Street
2015 • Reclamation of 15 acres • Project Cost of $240,000 • Funded by USEPA and EC

24. Bliss Bank | Phase I
2016 • Reclamation of 36 acres • Project Cost of $1.6 million • Funded by USEPA, PADEP, and EC

25. The Results
To date, Earth Conservancy has
• Reclaimed 2,000 acres
• Sold approximately 8,000 acres, valued at $30.5 million (500+ transactions)
 industrial • commercial • residential • open space
 generate $630,000 in real estate taxes annually
• Donated 290 acres valued at $3 million
• Transferred 7,500 acres for open/recreational space

26. The Lessons
• Start with a plan | Adhere to mission
• Get key stakeholders involved at all levels
• Communicate
• Plan ahead of schedule and with worst case scenario in mind
• Be open to and pursue alternatives
• Be persistent

27. Next Up | Continuing Efforts
• Bliss Bank,
Phase II
• Bliss Bank,
Phase III
• Espy Run,
Segment A
• Espy Run,
Segment B

28. Catalyst Site #2
Truesdale Bank
Catalyst Site #1
Nanticoke Creek Complex
(Unnamed Tributary)
Catalyst Site #1
Nanticoke Creek Complex
(Leuder’s Creek Tributary)
Next Up | Additional Planning
Nanticoke
Creek
Watershed

29. Next Up | Encouraging Development
Chewy.com
Facility by
NorthPoint
Development

30. • Access Roads
• Utilities
Next Up | Infrastructure

31. Next Up | Workforce Development
New initiative funded through a $200,000 grant through the
USEPA’s Environmental Workforce Development & Job Training Program
• Partnered with PSU Wilkes-Barre to develop 218-hour training program/8
courses in surveying skills and technology
• Will work with regional WIBs to recruit unemployed and underemployed
individuals, with a special emphasis on veterans
• Graduates will receive three federal certifications + have job
placement assistance

32. Thank You
Elizabeth W. Hughes, EdD
Director of Communications
email | e.hughes@earthconservancy.com
phone | 570.823.3445