Md. Funds Projects To Address Coal Mine Pollution

BALTIMORE (AP) -- State officials are awarding more than $300,000 in grants to reduce acid drainage from abandoned coal mines in western Maryland.

The Board of Public Works approved the three grants Wednesday for projects in Allegany County.

The largest grant of about $273,000 is to the county's Soil Conservation District to help fund a project in the community of Midlothian, south of Frostburg.

The project will redirect the flow of acidic and metal-laden water draining from an abandoned mine into Winebrenner Run and Georges Creek.

Officials say the tainted water also drains onto the properties of several homes. It will be rerouted for treatment by a machine that dispenses powdered limestone into flowing water and neutralizes the acid.

The other projects will address acid mine drainage into Jennings Run.

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