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    DEP Newsroom

    Shapiro Administration Invests $10.6 Million to Reclaim Abandoned Mine Land, Expanding Outdoor Recreation and Supporting Economic Development in Allegheny County

    Project will treat abandoned mine discharges, restore abandoned mine land, and construct a paved trail connecting Settlers Cabin Park to the Panhandle Trail.

     

    At 399,669 acres, Pennsylvania has the largest inventory of abandoned coal mine lands in the nation, with an estimated $5 billion in remaining reclamation and stream restoration needs.

     

    With support from state and federal funding, Pennsylvania has already rehabilitated more than 162,000 acres of abandoned mine land.

    June 04, 2026

    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded $10.6 million to the Allegheny County Parks Foundation for the Pinkertons Run Project through the Abandoned Mine Land and Abandoned Mine Drainage (AML/AMD) Grant Program to reclaim abandoned mine land (AML), improve water quality, expand outdoor recreation opportunities, and support economic development in Allegheny County.

    Funding from both the federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program and Infrastructure Investments and Job Act (IIJA) will support restoration of nearly two acres of abandoned mine land in Settlers Cabin Park, treatment of two abandoned mine discharges, and construction of a 1.5-mile paved trail connecting the park to the Panhandle Trail.

    “Remediation of abandoned mine lands is critical for the health, safety, and well-being of communities in Southwest Pennsylvania and all across the Commonwealth,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “This investment will improve water quality, expand outdoor recreation, and help put formerly abandoned land back to productive use in support of local economies.”

    Previous AMLER-funded projects have supported public parks, waterline extensions that provide clean and safe drinking water, recreational trails, and other community development initiatives.

    At 399,669 acres, Pennsylvania has the largest inventory of abandoned coal mine lands in the nation, with an estimated $5 billion in remaining reclamation and stream restoration needs. With support from state and federal funding, Pennsylvania has already rehabilitated more than 162,000 acres of abandoned mine land.

    Funding for the AML/AMD Grant Program comes in part from IIJA. Funding for this project was put at risk in February 2025 when the Trump Administration unlawfully froze $1.2 billion in Congressionally appropriated federal funding, including IIJA funding to support Pennsylvania-based initiatives like this one. Governor Shapiro took legal action and won — ensuring that this funding was kept available for Pennsylvania.

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