-
UPIKE receives $5 million AMLER grant for sports complex
PIKEVILLE — The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) will begin phase 1 construction of the university’s Bear Mountain Sports Complex thanks to a $5 million Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant awarded during the annual SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) Summit last week in Pikeville. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers…
-
Community discussion to focus on ecological restoration at The Wilds of Emily Creek
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — On June 3, the Martin County Extension Office will host a public discussion dedicated to exploring the ecological restoration efforts at The Wilds of Emily Creek. Scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the event will feature representatives from The Wilds of Emily Creek, Renew Appalachia, Appalachian Legacy Initiative, and…
-
Caney Shaft project begins this month
BY RACHEL DOVEMOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — Appalachian Renewal Project announced its plan to break ground this month on the county-owned Caney Shaft property, the site of a future community campground and recreational destination. Clifford Smith of ARP says a crew is in place to begin phase 1 of the project, starting with site cleanup, debris…
-
Thousands of trees coming to Lovely
BY RACHEL DOVEMOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOVELY — Appalachian Renewal Project owner Clifford Smith is committed to restoring approximately 150 acres of post-mine land in Lovely to its past grandeur, one sapling at a time. Site preparation work started earlier this month and will continue until thousands of 1-year-old saplings cover the location on Route 292 near…
-
Gov. Beshear announces more than $74 million to create good-paying jobs through cleanup of historic mine sites
FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday that Kentucky has been awarded more than $74 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create jobs and clean up hazards left by historic mining such as subsidence, slides, open portals, refuse piles and mine seam fires. The $74,252,680 award, issued through the U.S. Office of Surface Mining…
-
Possible link between flood risk, Abandoned Mine Land brings urgency to reclamation efforts
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION The impact of abandoned mine land on flood risk is receiving new scrutiny after devastating floods in the eastern part of the state left 40 people dead. Mary Cromer, deputy director of the Appalachian Citizens Law Center in Whitesburg, said while research is ongoing and no definitive link has…
-
County moves forward on campground development
Hopes to extend utilities to Caney BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court continues to move forward in developing a campground and events venue on the Caney Shaft site. The court is applying for two grants to help extend utilities to the location. “We’re looking at one through the Appalachian Regional Commission…