Trail system gets reclamation funds

A section of the Spearhead Trails multi-use trails system has received $222,000 in federal abandoned mine land reclamation funds.

Local officials took part in a ceremonial presentation of the funding Jan. 24 in St. Paul.

The dollars will go toward improving the quality, safety and signage of the Mountain View trail system between St. Paul and Coeburn, Ninth District U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith explained.

The funds go to The Nature Conservancy, which owns the land.
“Enhancements will include new signage and scenic overlooks along the trail to provide riders with an enhanced experience and information on wildlife, environmental stewardship and the history of coal mining in the area,” according to a Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy press release. “The Nature Conservancy will also work with Spearhead Trails and other partners to implement water quality protection measures that can reduce the trail system’s impact on the local environment. This will include the installation of best management practices like bridges, erosion control features and armored fords designed to better protect streams. The grant will also pay for the reclamation of several abandoned mine land features that appear along the trail.”

Last December, Gov. Ralph Northam made this and several other recommendations for how to allocate $10 million in federal AML funds that went to DMME.