Below you will find a list of press releases that are more than 180 days old.  To view a press release, click on the title.

• New Head of Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing Named
  Friday, March 16, 2012
  Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters today named Jerry F. “Freddie” Lewis, Sr., as the new executive director of the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL).
• New Head of Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Named
  Friday, March 16, 2012
  Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters today named Robert F. Scott as the new director of the Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML).
• Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Phase I of Letcher County Waterline Project
  Friday, December 02, 2011
  Access to potable water will soon be available to 181 households in Letcher County. The Department for Natural Resources’ (DNR) Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the award of contract and the start of construction for phase one of the Payne Gap-Kona water supply project in Letcher County.
• Kentucky Envirothon Announces State Contest Winners
  Monday, May 23, 2011
  The Kentucky Division of Conservation announced today the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Envirothon. DuPont Manual High School topped all other groups in the competition held May 19-20 at the Kentucky Leadership Center near Nancy, Ky.
• Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Given National Award by the Arbor Day Foundation
  Tuesday, May 10, 2011
  The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI), spearheaded by the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources, has claimed the prestigious 2011 Arbor Day Award, which is granted annually by the national Arbor Day Foundation.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands announces Start of Water Supply Project
  Monday, April 25, 2011
  Residents along Highway KY 476 in Breathitt County will soon notice construction beginning on the Division of Abandoned Mine Lands’ (DAML) waterline project in their local community. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in the community on Thursday, April 28th at 11 a.m. EDT. The projected completion date of the project is January 2012.
• Kentucky Landowners Awarded $8.5 Million in Cost-Share Assistance
  Monday, February 07, 2011
  Governor Steve Beshear announced today that the Kentucky Division of Conservation and the Soil and Water Conservation Commission is awarding $8.5 million in cost-share assistance to 1,015 recipients in 110 counties for the 2010-2011 program year.
• Division of Mine Permits Unveils Online Watershed Data
  Thursday, January 27, 2011
  Federal funding of $452,425 provides public access to CHIA data. The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Mine Permits announced today a new online service that gives public access to vital watershed data.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Phase II of South Perry County Waterline Project
  Thursday, January 27, 2011
  The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the award of contract and start of construction for phase two of the South Perry County water supply project. The contract for the project totals $1.2 million.
• GOV. BESHEAR ANNOUNCES REFUNDS OF NEARLY $500,000 TO COAL COUNTIES
  Monday, August 02, 2010
  Gov. Steve Beshear announced today that fiscal courts in 37 counties will receive refunds totaling $493,028.33 from mining permit and acreage fees. The Department for Natural Resources collects mining permit and acreage fees and returns a portion of the fees to coal-producing counties for projects that the fiscal courts deem beneficial to their communities.
• Kentucky Awarded $3 Million in the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative
  Monday, July 12, 2010
  The Kentucky Conservation Partnership will receive $3 million over a five-year period for three out of 76 projects awarded nationwide to improve the health of the Mississippi River Basin. The projects will take place in three areas of the state: Licking River, Lower Green and the Bayou de Chien/Mayfield Creek watersheds.
• Kentucky Receives $327,888 in Grants from U.S. Office of Surface Mining
  Tuesday, July 06, 2010
  Grants will fund trend stations and water quality sampling activities in Kentucky’s coalfields.
• Harlan County Miner Killed in Mining Accident
  Thursday, June 17, 2010
  A Knox County coal miner died Wednesday afternoon from injuries suffered in an underground mining accident caused by a rib roll.
• Phase One of Wolfe County Waterline Project Set to Begin
  Monday, May 17, 2010
  More than 180 households in Wolfe County will soon be able to turn on their tap and receive potable drinking water, thanks to a project funded by the Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML).
• Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Phase III of Breathitt County Waterline Project
  Tuesday, May 11, 2010
  The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the award of contract and start of construction for phase three of the Turners Creek water supply project in Breathitt County, Ky. The contract for the project totals $521,639.36.
• Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Unveils Spoil Handling Protocol
  Friday, January 08, 2010
  A technical study group, created to analyze excess spoil fill construction, recently completed development of the Fill Placement Optimization Process (FPOP), a design protocol to minimize the impact on streams from mining operations while maintaining Approximate Original Contour (AOC).
• Patriot Coal Co. Receives Award for Mine Reclamation from Department for Natural Resources
  Friday, October 09, 2009
  Carl E. Campbell, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources, presented a 2009 Commissioner’s Award of Excellence in Reclamation to Patriot Coal Co. for outstanding reclamation work on their surface facility (permit No. 851-0040) located in Henderson County near the community of Hebbardsville.
• ICG Hazard, LLC Receives Award for Mine Reclamation from Department for Natural Resources
  Tuesday, October 06, 2009
  Carl E. Campbell, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources, presented a 2009 Commissioner’s Award of Excellence in Reclamation to ICG Hazard, LLC for outstanding reclamation work on their surface facility (permit No. 897-0455) located in Perry county near the community of Vicco.
• Fleenor Mining, Inc., Receives Award for Mine Reclamation from Department for Natural Resources
  Tuesday, October 06, 2009
  Carl E. Campbell, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources, presented a 2009 Commissioner’s Award of Excellence in Reclamation to Fleenor Mining, Inc. for outstanding reclamation work on their surface facility (permit No. 867-0461) located in Letcher county near the community of Roxana.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Multi-Phase Water Supply Project for Knott and Perry Counties
  Thursday, October 01, 2009
  The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the Award of Contract and the start of construction for the Sassafras/Red Oak Phase I AML Water Supply Project in Knott and Perry Counties.
• Hazard Mine Rescue Team Wins Statewide Competition
  Friday, September 25, 2009
  Energy and Environmental Cabinet Deputy Secretary Hank List presented the winning plaque to the Hazard District Office Rescue Team in the first annual Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) interagency mine rescue contest.
• Jamieson Construction Co., Receives Award for Mine Reclamation from Department for Natural Resources
  Tuesday, September 15, 2009
  Carl E. Campbell, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources, presented a 2009 Commissioner’s Award of Excellence in Reclamation to Jamieson Construction Company.
• Miller Brothers Coal, LLC Receives Award for Mine Reclamation from Department for Natural Resources
  Friday, September 04, 2009
  Carl E. Campbell, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources, presented a 2009 Commissioner’s Award of Excellence in Reclamation to Miller Brothers Coal, LLC for outstanding reclamation work on their surface facility (permit No. 864-0190) located in Lawrence and Martin counties on Evans Fork and Nats Creek.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Breathitt County Water Supply Project
  Friday, August 28, 2009
  The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the Award of Contract and the start of construction for the Highway 1110 Water Supply Construction Project in Breathitt County, Ky. Five hundred thirty-three residences will receive full municipal water service.
• Johnson County to receive Waterline Project
  Thursday, August 13, 2009
  The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the commencement of construction for the Butcher Hollow Water Supply Project for Johnson County. The project will improve the water supply system of the local community and Loretta Lynn’s homestead.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Reclamation Project for Pike County
  Friday, June 26, 2009
  The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the award of contract and the start of construction for the Log Cabin Slide AML Reclamation Project in Pike County, Kentucky.
• Kentucky Division of Conservation Announces 2009 Envirothon Winners
  Monday, June 08, 2009
  The Kentucky Division of Conservation announced today the winner of the 2009 Kentucky Envirothon. Model Laboratory School in Richmond topped all other groups in the competition held May 21-22 at the Kentucky Leadership Center near Nancy.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Water Supply Project for Knott County
  Wednesday, June 03, 2009
  The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the commencement of construction for the Irishman Creek Phase IV Water Supply Project for Knott County, Kentucky.
• One Person Dead Following Mining Accident in Letcher County
  Thursday, May 21, 2009
  A Letcher County, Ky., coal miner has died from injuries received in a surface mining accident Thursday morning.
• Office of Mine Safety and Licensing Training Program Targets Mine Foremen
  Friday, May 15, 2009
  In January, the Department for Natural Resources’ Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) unveiled a six-hour class specifically designed for all surface and underground mine foremen in the Commonwealth.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Water Supply Project for Letcher County
  Tuesday, May 05, 2009
  The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) recently announced the commencement of construction for the Cane - McPeak Branch Water Supply Project for Letcher County, Kentucky.
• 2008 Jim Claypool Art and Conservation Writing Winners Announced
  Friday, April 24, 2009
  The Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts in partnership with the Kentucky Farm Bureau announced the winners of the 2008 Art and Writing Contest entitled: “Working Trees: Kentucky’s Renewable Future.”
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces Water Supply Extension for Perry County
  Tuesday, March 31, 2009
  The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today the Award of Contract and the start of construction for the Hazard Trunkline Water Supply Construction Project in Perry County, Kentucky.
• Division of Abandoned Mine Lands Announces
  Monday, March 16, 2009
  The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced commencement of the River Queen Slurry AML Enhancement Rule Reclamation Project in Muhlenberg County.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to spend $900,000 for Storm Cleanup in Kentucky
  Wednesday, February 25, 2009
  The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently secured Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) funding in the amount of $900,000 for storm recovery efforts in Kentucky.
• KENTUCKY DIVISION OF ABANDONED MINE LANDS RECEIVES $3.4 MILLION FOR STREAM CLEANUP
  Monday, February 16, 2009
  The Department for Natural Resources’ Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) announced today receipt of $3,499,764 in federal funding from the United States Department of Interior’s Office of Surface Mining for acid mine drainage (AMD) abatement in Kentucky.
• GOVERNOR BESHEAR ANNOUNCES REFUNDS TO COUNTIES
  Monday, September 08, 2008
  Governor Steve Beshear announced today that fiscal courts in 33 counties will receive refunds totaling $550,678 from mining permit and acreage fees.
• NATURE LICENSE PLATE SALES MIX GREEN WITH GROWTH; MORE SOUGHT
  Tuesday, August 05, 2008
  At the quarterly meeting of the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board in July, more than 3,213 acres of natural areas were approved to be brought under public protection in seven counties.
• KENTUCKY MINE MAPPING RECEIVES EXEMPLARY SYSTEM AWARD
  Thursday, July 17, 2008
  The Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System continued to garner kudos with the recent receipt of the Kentucky Association of Mapping Professional’s Exemplary System Award for 2008.
• KENTUCKY MINE MAPPING AWARDED BEST ONLINE SERVICE
  Tuesday, April 22, 2008
  The Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System received the Best of Kentucky technology award in the Best Online Services category at the Kentucky Digital Government Summit.
• STATE MINE RESCUE PROGRAM MEETS FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS
  Friday, March 07, 2008
  Kentucky’s mine rescue teams will continue to serve coal mines across the state in compliance with recently adopted federal mine safety regulations.
• NEW NATURE PLATES GIVE BUMPERS, LANDSCAPES FACELIFT
  Thursday, January 10, 2008
  Dragonflies, hummingbirds and Cumberland Falls are beginning to appear on Kentucky highways, slowly replacing butterflies, bobcats and cardinals as the images shown on Kentucky’s nature license plates.
• Kentucky Sets Record for Mine Safety
  Thursday, January 03, 2008
  Kentucky coal mines have experienced the safest year in Kentucky’s mining history.
• Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Provides Money for Addition to Tygarts State Forest
  Wednesday, November 08, 2006
  Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund provides money for a 181-acre addition to Tygarts State Forest in Carter County.
• Company Cited For Substandard Water Discharge In Floyd County
  Friday, October 27, 2006
  The Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) has cited Frasure Creek Mining for a substandard water discharge on Oct. 26 near the community of Allen in Floyd County.
• VOTING FOR ‘NATURE’S FINEST’ LICENSE PLATE DESIGN IS ONLINE
  Monday, August 28, 2006
  Public voting on potential designs for the popular “Nature’s Finest” license plates can now be done online. The cardinal, bobcat and butterfly are joined by eight new designs.
• COMPANY CITED FOR BAD WATER DISCHARGE IN LETCHER COUNTY
  Monday, June 12, 2006
  The Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) has cited Harlan Reclamation Services LLC for a bad water discharge on June 6 near the community of Partridge in Letcher County.
• ‘NATURE’S FINEST’ FINE TUNES FOR THE FUTURE
  Thursday, April 27, 2006
  Kentucky’s most popular line of specialty license plates – the Nature’s Finest series featuring a native bobcat, cardinal and viceroy butterfly – might be getting a makeover.
• KENTUCKY HERITAGE LAND CONSERVATION FUND BOARD TO MEET
  Monday, April 17, 2006
  The Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund Board will meet on Monday, April 24, 2006, at 1 p.m. EDT, in the Kentucky Division of Conservation conference room, 375 Versailles Road, Frankfort, Ky.
• COMPANY CITED FOR BLACK WATER SPILL IN MARTIN COUNTY
  Friday, January 27, 2006
  Peter Cave Mining Company was cited when a leak in the principal spillway system led to fouling of Emily Creek in Martin County.
• COMPANY CITED FOR DISCHARGING MUDDY WATER IN PIKE COUNTY
  Tuesday, December 13, 2005
  The Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) has cited Sidney Coal Co. in Pike County for discharging muddy water into Fraley Branch, near the community of Sidney, on Dec. 7.
• Kentucky Division of Mine Permits Rescinds Amendment to Leslie Resources’ Permit
  Tuesday, December 06, 2005
  State withdraws approval to expand mining in vicinity of Buckhorn Lake.