Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development

Mine Land Reclamation

Mahaska County and neighboring Marion County contain over 80% of the un-reclaimed abandoned mine lands in Iowa. Un-reclaimed abandoned mine lands are often high in acidity, poorly vegetated and impair water bodies with acidic runoff.

Reclamation projects are costly and are most successful when multiple partners can help fund each project. Pathfinders receives a $100,000 federal Office of Surface Mining grant available to non-profit organizations for each reclamation project is partners in. Pathfinders has partnered with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Mines and Minerals Division, Mahaska, Van Buren and Monroe Soil and Water Conservation Districts, local Pheasants Forever chapters and other partners to reclaim sites in Mahaska County, Van Buren County and Monroe County.

Pathfinders is currently involved with two active reclamation projects in Mahaska County: Groenedyk and Lewis and one in Monroe County: Harris.

To date, Pathfinders has helped reclaim 15 sites in 3 counties by bringing in $1.5 million in grant dollars.

View map of identified abaondoned mine land sites in Mahaksa, Wapello and Van Buren Counties.

 
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NEWS & EVENTS

May 2012 E-News
NEW! Conservation Funding Workshops for Agricultural Producers
Tuesday, June 5 - Camp Mitigwa (Boone)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Free of charge, lunch provided
Learn more
Pathfinders RC&D Board Meeting
Thursday, July 26
6:00 p.m.
Fairfield, Iowa

Board meetings generally held bi-monthly on 4th Thursday.

The National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils Announces Award to Pathfinders RC&D Council

The National Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Councils is pleased to announce that Pathfinders RC&D Council of Fairfield, Iowa has been reauthorized as a member of the national RC&D Circle of Diamonds.

As a standing member of the Circle of Diamonds, Pathfinders RC&D Council has already demonstrated its positive impact on the quality of life within its local area and its accountability to the community it serves through its organizational structure, the processes it uses, and the outcomes it attains.

In earning reauthorization of its Circle of Diamonds membership, the RC&D Council promises to continue to maintain the specific benchmarks set forth in the program guidelines. This mark of excellence shows its honesty, integrity, and strong commitment to the RC&D mission.