This page contains news, events and educational links for the Division of Forestry, the Division of Conservation, the Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, the Office of Mine Safety & Licensing, the Division of Mine Reclamation & Enforcement, the Division of Mine Permits, and the Division of Oil & Gas Conservation within the Department for Natural Resources. It also contains a link to the Cabinet publications database, job openings and Land, Air and Water magazine.
Two mine fatalities reported in 2007 are lowest in history. Read the full news release.
Groundwater contamination studies funded by the Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) found pre-1982 mining had impacted much of the groundwater in areas of Eastern Kentucky.
Grants totalling $6.1 million have been recently awarded to Knott, Perry, Owlsey, Jackson, Carter, Elliott, Lawrence and Letcher Counties in an effort to provide safe drinking water to these areas. The funds will be used to construct 47 miles of water main and install meters at 586 homes.
Since Jan. 1, 2004, AML funding has resulted in the construction of 236 miles of waterlines, which serve 3,407 residences at a cost of approximately $21 million.
AML awarded an additional $1.9 million to reclaim an abandoned mine in Henderson County. Another $1.5 million will reclaim four landslides, close a mine opening and construct walls to prevent erosion in Knott and Letcher Counties.
The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining (OSM) held an Arbor Day celebration at Lexington Coal Company's 17 West Mining Complex in Martin County, Kentucky.
Students from Inez Middle School and Warfield Middle School planted nearly 300 oak and American Chestnut seedlings with the help of the Kentucky Division of Forestry. The students enthusiastically embraced the idea of reforestation and could easily have planted more.
The event was sponsored by Mr. Dan Geiger, President of Lexington Coal Company, LLC. Additional speakers included Dr. Don Graves and Dr. Richard Warner of the University of Kentucky; Paul Rothman, Director of DNR Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement; Mike French, Vice-President of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation; William Kovacic, Director of OSM's Lexington field office; and Susan Bush, Commissioner of DNR.
Dr. Graves received recognition for his research in reforestation as a viable post mining land use option for the reclamation of mined lands. Dr. Graves and Mr. Rothman were instrumental in the establishment of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI), which advocates reforestation as the preferred reclamation land use option.
Photographs of the event can be viewed
here.
News and Events from Forestry
Contains press releases from the Kentucky Division of Forestry and information on obtaining copies of reports and conference proceedings.
ENVIROTHON
Envirothon is a competitive, problem-solving, natural resources experience for students in grades 9 through 12. The event is competitive, but education is the bottom line. The students are trained in the ways that real life environmental problems are solved, with the support of natural resource professionals. The students work in teams of five to solve environmental problems. These teams are tested on their knowledge of Kentucky’s natural resources at five “in the field” test stations. Each station covers a separate topic addressing soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics, and a current environmental issue. Through hands-on experiments, analysis, and use of critical thinking skills, the teams answer a set of questions at each station.
- http://www.courier-journal.com/education/soil2002.html
It took Mother Nature thousands of years to make soil, but you can find out all about it by reading the online publication on Kentucky's Soil. The site also contains links to several other links with additional information about soil conservation and related information.
- http://www.eppc.ky.gov/educationoutreach/
The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet provides education and training to all segments of Kentucky's population. Most of the cabinet's educational efforts are focused on providing information to specific groups in order to help them comply with cabinet regulations or mandates.
- http://www.firewise.org/
Becoming Firewise is a process. Being Firewise is not difficult, but requires commitment. A Firewise person pays attention to those details in his/her environment that might start or encourage the spread of a wildfire. You can learn about how to do that on the Firewise Home Page.
AML News and Events
Contains news and information about AML.
Division of Mine Reclamation & Enforcement Statistics
Contains monthly statistics for the Division of Mine Reclamation & Enforcement which include mine inspection totals, performance standards cited, inspectable permit totals, bond release statistics and non-coal permit totals.
Technical Information Library
Contains information regarding Mine Licensing, Explosives & Blasting, and the Mine Mapping Center.
Safety Issues and Investigations
Contains reports documenting accidents and awareness bulletins.
Oil & Gas Technical Library
Contains copies of Well Spud Reports, Permit Lists, Monthly Transfer Lists and Production reports for 1996 - 2005.
Division of Mine Permits Statistics
Contains monthly permitting statistics and provides information that represents a "snapshot picture of time" of Divisional activity.
The Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund was established to provide funds for: natural areas; areas important to migratory birds; areas that perform important natural functions subject to alteration or loss; and areas to be preserved in their natural state for public use, outdoor recreation and education. Revenue for the fund comes from the state portion of the unmined mineral tax, environmental fines, and the Nature License Plate.
•Land, Air & Water Magazine--a quarterly publication focused on the Cabinet's work to preserve and protect Kentucky's land, air and water resources.
•EPPC Job Openings--information on jobs available throughout the Cabinet.
•Publications Database--a searchable database for publications, including newsletters, produced by Cabinet agencies.
