Abandoned mines are part of the landscape at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee, and early next year crews hope to clean up one that is sending wastes into the Blue Heron area.
Blue Heron, also known as Mine 18, is an abandoned coal mining town and was a part of the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company's past operation. The Blue Heron mines operated from 1937, until December, 1962, when operations were no longer profitable.
On January 6 crews are scheduled to start a contaminated mine drainage remediation project at Blue Heron. To ensure visitor safety and resource protection, temporary trail closures in the Blue Heron area will start in January and be in place until approximately April 2017. Construction equipment will be staged in the Blue Heron area starting next week
The following trails will be temporarily closed starting January 6, 2017:
- Blue Heron Loop Hiking Trail to the Blue Heron mining community closed at intersection with the Laurel Branch Horse Trail.
- Laurel Branch Horse Trail to the Blue Heron mining community closed at Laurel Branch.
- Big South Fork River Horse Trail ford at the Blue Heron mining community closed on the west side of the river.
The hiking trail to Devil’s Jump rapids and the canoe launch ramp at the Blue Heron mining community will remain open to hikers, fishermen, and those putting in, or taking out from the river. Signs will be posted at trailheads to inform hikers and horseback riders of the closures. The park asks all visitors to be prepared to plan your activities in the park, accordingly.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area contains over 100 abandoned mine openings that are part of historic coal operations. Abandoned mines produced waste rock, open portals and, in some cases, contaminated mine drainage, which are human safety and environmental hazards. Some sites contain unique cultural and natural resources. Remediation of contaminated mine drainage sites will help improve water quality and aquatic habitat in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River.
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Comments
And who exactly is paying for the old mine clean-up? I suspect I know-- we the taxpayers. (If anyone knows differently, please provide further information.)
The mining industry has a long history of extracting as much money as they can, as fast as they can, then abandoning the mines and mine waste. Private gain, public risk.
And our new administration has promised to delete the EPA.
Although this mine closed up before the Clean Water Act was enacted.
The National Park Service knew what it was getting with all that mine drainage when it was given to them and they are just now doing something about it WOW talk about delay of action............What a waste of my taxes