Land Use Consequences
Forests
Industrial timbering cleared large swaths of stable old-growth woodland. This type of forest-clearing significantly changed the character of the land by removing key components of a stable ecosystem. These new ecosystems facilitated plant growth previously hindered by the dense canopy and created new habitat that supported the growth of deer, turkey, bear, and small mammal populations. Some of the cleared lands were later converted into state forests or game lands.
Coal
As coal was mined, companies dug deep shafts and tunnels below the surface. Mining disrupted ground water patterns by creating new subsurface channels and pools sometimes harboring acidic chemicals. As coal was mined below ground or later in surface pits, waste materials were concentrated in large mounds called culm banks or overburden piles. As industry declined, the region was left with abandoned rail corridors, canal ways, underground mines, houses, commercial buildings, disrupted ground water patterns, culm banks, and deep stripping pits.
Some abandoned rail corridors have been converted into recreational trails while abandoned canal ways, commercial buildings, and mining villages have been turned into heritage sites. Some of the large waste piles have been re-mined for the waste coal they contain
this page online
Legislation
The first federal mine reclamation act was
passed in 1977 as a direct response to
significant landscape changes brought on by
mining and required permits and bonds to
ensure that projects were executed properly
and money was available for clean up and
reclamation once a mine was closed.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1977.
Location. 40° 59.5′ N, 75° 52.033′ W. Marker is in Eckley, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. Marker is on Main Street, on the right when traveling west. On the grounds of the Eckley Miners' Village & Museum (Ghost Town). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weatherly PA 18255, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Land Use (approx. ¼ mile away); Eckley Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Slate Picker's House (approx. half a mile away); Laborer’s Double Dwelling (approx. 0.6 miles away); Eckley Miners’ Village (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Church of the Immaculate Conception
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
