In Schuylkill County a first-of-its-kind environmental program is taking root. Proponents said it's educational and helps reclaim coal-scarred land.
At a coal strip mining operation near Minersville run by the Mountaintop Coal Mining Company things are changing.
"Everytime we see a story on the news somebody is going out of business but right now the coal business is booming and the reason for that it's cheaper than foreign oil," said Tim Vought of Mountaintop Coal.
State and federal regulations require that once the coal is removed, the gaping holes must be filled. That's being taken a step further there.
Students from the Minersville Area School District is planting trees on the scarred land.
"To get them educated about environmental topics at a very young age by catching them younger. It gets them involved and more proactive, more aware of what's going on," said Mike Myers of Appalachian Coal Country Water.
"It's really great because as I am growing I can also watch something that I did, grow and look back on it and have good memories," said Brianna Seiders of Minersville.
"There is a lot of trees being cut down and a lot of animals are losing their homes so this is an opportunity to get more wildlife," said Tiffany Kenderdine of Minersville.
The tree planting project is supported by federal, state and local agencies. Officials said this project is a first for our area.
"From Tennessee all the way up to Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania and so we're advocating this all over Pennsylvania,"said Dave Harrison of the Office of Surface Mining.
Another coal pit on the site is about 45 feet deep. Officials said by next year it will be filled and trees planted there too.
At a coal strip mining operation near Minersville run by the Mountaintop Coal Mining Company things are changing.
"Everytime we see a story on the news somebody is going out of business but right now the coal business is booming and the reason for that it's cheaper than foreign oil," said Tim Vought of Mountaintop Coal.
State and federal regulations require that once the coal is removed, the gaping holes must be filled. That's being taken a step further there.
Students from the Minersville Area School District is planting trees on the scarred land.
"To get them educated about environmental topics at a very young age by catching them younger. It gets them involved and more proactive, more aware of what's going on," said Mike Myers of Appalachian Coal Country Water.
"It's really great because as I am growing I can also watch something that I did, grow and look back on it and have good memories," said Brianna Seiders of Minersville.
"There is a lot of trees being cut down and a lot of animals are losing their homes so this is an opportunity to get more wildlife," said Tiffany Kenderdine of Minersville.
The tree planting project is supported by federal, state and local agencies. Officials said this project is a first for our area.
"From Tennessee all the way up to Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania and so we're advocating this all over Pennsylvania,"said Dave Harrison of the Office of Surface Mining.
Another coal pit on the site is about 45 feet deep. Officials said by next year it will be filled and trees planted there too.
