RRC Receives OSMRE Small Project Award for Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation

RRC Receives OSMRE Small Project Award for Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation

AUSTIN, Texas - The RRC was honored to receive the 2026 Small Project Award from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) for exemplary work addressing public safety and environmental risks associated with historic mining activity in Wise County. The award was presented during an Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards ceremony at the 2026 National Association of AML Programs conference in Park City, Utah, on September 21. The award highlights the RRC's dedication to safeguarding communities and advancing environmental stewardship throughout Texas.

The Commission earned this recognition for its work in Wise County, where the RRC's Surface Mining and Reclamation Division (SMRD) successfully reclaimed an abandoned mine portal beneath a residence in Bridgeport, Texas. Over the years, shifting underground mine conditions and stormwater runoff caused structural collapse and damaged nearby sewer lines, prompting an emergency response from SMRD to stabilize the site and eliminate hazards for the property owner and the surrounding community. The Wise Richey Abandoned Mine Land Emergency Project began on February 18, 2026, and was completed on March 6, 2026.

"This project exemplifies our commitment to protecting the safety of Texans and the environment while fulfilling the goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act," said RRC Executive Director Wei Wang. "By addressing critical health and safety risks, improving environmental conditions and engaging the local community, this effort demonstrates the meaningful impact our work can have on the people and places we serve. This is the second award the Commission received from the Department of the Interior (DOI) in the past four years. We are proud to accept this award and appreciate DOI for the opportunity."

The annual Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards highlight projects across the country that remediate hazards left by legacy coal mines and affected areas, returning them to safe and beneficial use. Texas received the award alongside four other distinguished projects during the ceremony. The RRC was recognized in 2022 with a Small Project Award for successfully reclaiming a century-old, abandoned mine in East Texas.

The RRC's Abandoned Mine Land Program is a fully federally funded initiative that implements Title IV of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Through the program, the Commission restores land and water resources impacted by pre-SMCRA mining practices, safeguarding the public and strengthening environmental resilience in communities across Texas. Through this program, the RRC works diligently to reclaim land and water resources, protect the public from the adverse effects of historical mining practices, and contribute to the long-term health and prosperity of Texas communities.