Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development

Jager South Abstractpathfinders Rcand D Is Partnering With the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Iowadepartment of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality (the Division) Toaddress Acid Mine Drainage From the Jager Abandoned Mine Land Site. the Site Poses a Water Quality Resourceconcern. This Concern Stems From High Sediment Loads Coming From Dangerous Barren Spoil Piles Left From Previouscoal Mining Activity and Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) From Uncontrolled Runoff at the Site.overall Project Description This Project Is Divided Into a North and South Portion Due to the Presence of 320THSTREET Dividing the Site Into Two Different Sections. the Anticipated Work Will Be to Concentrate on One Side Ofthe Site at a Time, and Have Minimal Disturbance Crossing 320TH Street. the Site Will Blend Into the Existinglandscape by Using the Natural Regrade Engineering Design. Both North and South Portions Will Have a Wetlandpresent. the Project With Then Be Seeding Down With an Upland Seeding Mix to Provide Cover.the Jager South Reclamation Project Is Located Approximately 1.5 Miles Northeast of the Eddyville Raceway Park.the Approximately 21.6 Acre Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Site Was Mined Prior to 1977. the Reclamation Project Willeliminate the Coal Mining Features That Present a Danger to the Health and Safety of the Public and Resultingacid Mine Drainage. the Site Is 2 Miles From the Des Moines River, Which Is Actively Used for Recreation and Thecurrent Condition of the Site Negatively Impacts an Un Named Tributary. This Drainage Then Flows Southwest Intothe Lost Creek, Which Then Flows Into the Des Moines River. the Goal of the Project Is to Reclaim the Projectarea to Alleviate Aml Priority Features and Establish a Permanent Seeding to Stabilize the Site.the Site Design Re Establishes Pre Mining Drainage Patterns Including Two Drainage Ways and a Wetland. Accordingto the Project Design, Construction Will Abate All the Hazardous Abandoned Mine Land Features. the Constructioncontract Will Clear, Re Grade and Re Vegetate Approximately 21.6 Acres Use the Natural Regrade Design Forreclamation. This Method Uses the Landscape to Create Small Tributaries That Carry Water Into One Largermeandering Stream. the Iowa Aml Program Has Overseen More Than 53 Similar, and Successful, Reclamation and Amdremediation Projects.no Individual, Business or Political Subdivision Has Any Legal Responsibility to Reclaim the Site. Watershedcooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) Funds Will Be Matched by State and Local Funds to Complete the Jager Southreclamation Project. Pathfinders Rcand D Will Work With the State of Iowa S Aml Program to Reclaim the Site. Fundswill Be Used for Earthmoving, Water and Soil Neutralization, and Seeding Activities to Eliminate the Acid Minedrainage Originating From This Site. the Total Reclamation Construction Cost Is Estimated at 476,289.10. Totalproject Costs Are Estimated at 578,752.10.UPON Completion of Reclamation, Wildlife Habitat and Recreational Opportunities Will Be Enhanced, Providingeconomic and Health Benefits to All Iowans. Reclamation Will Directly Benefit Water Quality and Soil Health Onthe Site, as Well as, Improve Water Quality and Soil Health in Adjacent Waterbodies and Fields in the County Overtime Through the Interconnectedness of the Water Cycle and Soil Systems.