CHARLESTON, WV - Gov. Jim Justice held a press conference on Monday, October 22, 2018. The Governor was joined by West Virginia National Guard Maj. Gen. James Hoyer who gave an update on progress at the Hobet site. The Governor also discussed Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program Grants and Abandoned Mine Land Grants.

The Press Conference was held in the Governor's Reception Room at the State Capitol.

Gov. Justice Announces Abandoned Mine Land Grant Recommendations and Transportation Alternatives Grant Awards

CHARLESTON, WV - Today, Gov. Jim Justice and DEP Secretary Austin Caperton announced the recommendation of two projects that will use grant funding for economic development of abandoned mine land sites.

The grant funding, provided by the federal government through the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), is administered by the WVDEP’s Office of Abandoned Mine Lands. The recipients applied for the grant funding earlier this year and were each considered by a committee of representatives from the WVDEP, West Virginia Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, and the Governor’s Office.

OSMRE must give final approval of the projects and amounts awarded.

The projects recommended today include:

- Logan County: $1.550 million to the West Virginia Elk Restoration Project Visitor Center to construct a visitor center near the elk viewing platform - Boone and Lincoln County: $1.5 million to the Ivy Branch Off Road Park Phase II project, which includes construction of cabins, master planning, and development of a river access site on the Little Coal River

Gov. Justice will continue to announce Abandoned Mine Land Grant recommendations over the coming weeks.

Gov. Justice and Transportation Secretary Tom Smith also awarded several Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails program grants. The West Virginia Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Transportation and funded by the Federal Highway Administration. These grants help towns and cities build and improve sidewalks, lighting, and rail trails.

The projects awarded include:

- City of St. Albans: St. Albans C Street Project is being recommended for $160,000 in federal funding. This is to construct a sidewalk and lighting along C Street. The total project cost is $200,000. - Town of Gilbert: The Gilbert Sidewalk Enhancements, Phase II Construction is being recommended for $643,000 in federal funding. This will be used for construction of approximately 700 linear feet of sidewalk from Hollywood Road to the Speedway store in the Town of Gilbert. - Town of Hamlin: The Hamlin Sidewalk Connector to Lincoln County High School is being recommended for $100,000 in federal funds. This will be used for the design of a connector for non-motorized traffic from downtown Hamlin to the Lincoln County High School. - Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority: The Construction of a Boone County Trail System is being recommended for $120,000 in federal funding. This is to construct approximately 100 miles of trail as part of the Hatfield McCoy Recreation Area located within Boone County. The total project cost is $150,000. - Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority: Equipment for the Wayne County Trail System is being recommended for $120,000 of federal funding. This is to purchase a D5 dozer for construction and maintenance of the Hatfield McCoy Recreation Area consisting of approximately 100 miles of trail within Wayne County. The total cost is $150,000. - Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority: Equipment for the Lincoln County Trail System is being recommended for $120,000 of federal funding. This is for the purchase of a D5 dozer for maintenance of the Hatfield McCoy Recreation Area consisting of approximately 100 miles of trail located within Lincoln County. The total cost is $150,000. - Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority: Maintenance Equipment for Boone and Wayne Counties is being recommended for $80,000 of federal funding. This is for the purchase of four trucks for the construction and maintenance of the Hatfield McCoy Recreation Area consisting of approximately 200 miles of trail located within Boone and Wayne Counties. The total cost is $100,000.