Surface mine reclamation in Eastern KY ‘alarmingly slow,’ leaving problems in its wake

The analysis found that permits are slow to achieve phase I release. Despite not being in active status and not having produced coal for at least 18 months, only 55% of permits reviewed had achieved the first stage of reclamation. Of the permits that had not even reached phase I release, 24 permits had not produced coal in at least 2 decades.