Reliance Coal Mining District’s historic tipple By Kristine Galloway RELIANCE – The Town of Reliance is safer today than it has been in decades. Miles of abandoned underground coal mines made collapse a significant concern. A large underground coal mine fire created an additional hazard to the community. But that is no longer the case thanks […]
By Kristine Galloway CHEYENNE – After many years spent enhancing Wyoming’s environment, Alan Edwards is turning his attention closer to home. Edwards, deputy director and Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Division administrator for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), is retiring this month. “Alan has shared a wealth of knowledge during his time here at […]
by Luana Sencio ExcitementAfter being contacted about the opportunity to work for the Abandoned Mine Land Division (AML), my days filled with excitement. Going into my senior year of college, I felt like something was missing. I had been yearning to get out in the field and experience a day-in-the-life of those who work in […]
Hundreds of abandoned mine lands lie across Wyoming. These historic sites were abandoned prior to the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. The State of Wyoming has been working for over four decades to reclaim and remediate these sites to avert environmental and human health impacts. In addition, residents and communities financially benefit from […]
In recent years, a few landowners have discovered some interesting history on their property that could damage future planned structures. Around and in several Wyoming communities, underground historical abandoned mines are present but unknown to most residents. However, through the years these underground workings can collapse and make their way up to the surface, leaving […]
By Kristine Galloway SUNRISE – A one-of-a-kind prehistoric site in Wyoming exists today almost by coincidence. The Powars II Paleoindian Archaeological Site in Sunrise – believed to be the oldest known mining operation in both North and South America – would have been wiped out if former Sunrise resident Wayne Powars hadn’t shown up for […]
A multi-party effort to improve safety and accessibility on Fremont County Road 10, aka Gas Hills Haul Road and Dry Creek Road, is complete. The project, led by Fremont County and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), will provide safer public travel on this road and reduce the number of travelers stranded miles from the […]
By Kristine Galloway Educational outreach at Lander Middle School was the first piece implemented for the Abandoned Mine Lands Native Plants Project through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and the Bureau of Land Management. That project is part of an inter-agency effort to restore the fractured sagebrush steppe ecosystem across the U.S. West. The […]
On September 10, 2018, Alan Edwards, Deputy Director and Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Division Administrator for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), received the Stan Barnard Award from the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP). The Stan Barnard Award was established by the NAAMLP in 2001. Each year the award is given […]
On January 15, 2018, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Abandoned Mine Land Division (AML) began exploratory drilling at 846 and 900 West Center Street, in Rock Springs. AML is conducting an investigative drilling program in specific areas within Rock Springs to be proactive with respect to identifying the potential for mine subsidence. Exploratory […]