Recreational Tourism in MarylandThe North Branch Potomac River in Maryland was once decimated by acid mine drainage from a nearby coal mine. The river, which ran orange from the pollution, was reclaimed by the state AML agency and now runs clear enough to support a bustling local recreational tourism industry.Businesses that have been able to grow and thrive because of the reclaimed stream now contribute a $3 million impact to the local economy, including 40 full-time jobs in angling and boating. Image: Downstream Strategies
Commerce and Trade Park in PennsylvaniaIn Pennsylvania, the West Suscon abandoned coal mine “was a poster-child mine scarred [by] ... dangerous highwalls associated with the strip mining, shafts, slopes, cropfalls...vertical openings, mine spoil areas... [and] abandoned mine drainage...” A commerce and trade park that employs 4,500 people now resides on the reclaimed mine. Image: Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services
Solar Plants in GermanyIn Germany, the Leipziger Solar Plant and Borna Solar Plant are located on reclaimed sites that were once home to a coal ash disposal and a coal processing plant and whose solar arrays jointly produce 8.4 MW of electricity. When installed, the Leipziger plant was the largest solar array in the world.Many reclaimed non-coal mine sites in the western US are now home to sizeable solar arrays. Image: Wikimedia
Vineyard in VirginiaIn Wise County, Virginia, a winery whose vineyards are located on a reclaimed surface coal mine has been thriving for more than a decade. Image: Youtube/American Express
Wind Farm in WyomingA massive surface coal mine in Glenrock, Wyoming is home to a wind farm that produces 237 Megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power 66,800 households. Image: Pacificorp.com
Elk Range in PennsylvaniaDents Run Watershed Restoration Project is a 25-square mile watershed in Elk County, Pennsylvania that sits on reclaimed surface mines. The site lies in the epicenter of the the habitat range for the region's elk herd. Image: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation