RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The state and federal governments are allocating $1.69 million to clean up damage caused by acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines in southwest Virginia.
Gov. Bob McDonnell calls the funding the last piece of the puzzle in a project restoring water quality in the Powell Valley watershed, which is home to many endangered or threatened aquatic species.
The effort includes erosion control and stream bank stabilization needed because of damage caused by acid mine drainage.
The governor says state and federal funds administered through the Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy are being used to match State Water quality Improvement Act and federal Clean Water Act funds.
