NEWPORT TOWNSHIP RECLAMATION NORTH
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In process • Newport Township & the City of Nanticoke, Luzerne County, PA
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In EC’s original Land Use Plan, reclamation efforts were strategically prioritized by proximity to infrastructure, focusing first on large sites nearest to roadways and utilities. That’s why EC started with areas around the Preston, Sugar Notch, and Huber Bank, then moved west along S.R. 29, to sites like Hanover 9 and Loomis Bank. The completion of the South Valley Parkway (SVP) spurred more reclamation to the west, primarily at the Bliss and Truesdale Banks. The original vision for the SVP had it extending down into Newport Township, linking it to additional properties. However, over time, the project scope was reduced, the SVP terminating in Nanticoke near LCCC.
Economic development has always been a key interest in the community. The closure of the State Corrections Institution at Retreat, a major employer, has heightened the urgency for economic revitalization. A variety of proposals for development have been entertained over the past several decades; none has moved ahead. One major challenge has been the legacy mining issues that remain. Jumping off from our earlier Newport Township Master Plan, this project starts with a more detailed analysis of the northern half of the township, including surveys, testing, and coordination with various agencies. By identifying remaining obstacles, a clear plan can be formulated to address them effectively. These findings will then guide EC’s next phases of work, with grants sought to support future reclamation.
June 2024 | EC publicly solicits for engineering services for the project.
April 2024 | US Senator Bob Casey announces EC has been awarded a $1.35 million grant from PA DEP through its Abandoned Mine Land Program. The grant will fund extensive surveying, engineering analysis, planning, and permitting for reclamation of ±3,000 acres of land, mostly in Newport Township.
FUNDING
PA DEP | $1,354,600