The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recognizes the issue of abandoned coal mines stretches across much of Northeastern Ohio.
"We have 50 or so projects across the state this year, proposed for both design, and development of construction is money we're asking for," said Brad Burwell from the Division of Mineral Resources.
To notify the public of the proposed projects and discuss safety and health issues, the Division of Mineral Resources held its annual public meeting Thursday night at Kent State University's Tuscarawas Campus.
Several projects totaling more than $5 million are currently being looked at in 28 counties across the coal region and Weathersfield Township is just one area on the large list. "There was a drilling and grout project done in that area in 2004 and some recent exploratory drilling this spring done by us determined it's something we need to take a further look at," said Kevin Bratcher, also from ODNR's Division of Mineral Resources.
The division is also hoping to help save a historic site in Leetonia. "There's a site called the Cherry Valley Coke Ovens. It's on the national historic register," said Jim Gue, also from the ODNR. "It's a site where there's 200 honeycomb shaped coke ovens that were used to support the coal industry years ago."
While the Leetonia project is still in developmental stages, more exploratory drilling will take place in Weathersfield Township over the next three weeks. Other projects are also in the works for Canfield, Green Township and Middleton Township in Columbiana County, and they'll largely be funded by federal grant money from the U.S. Department of Interior.
