April 29, 2026 - The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection are holding three public meetings to discuss proposed reclamation projects.

One of those meetings occurred Tuesday in Charleston and was open to the public.

At the meeting, representatives with the DEP detailed projects around the Kanawha County area. The objective of the projects would be to alleviate health, safety and environmental problems created by coal mines abandoned before August 3, 1977.

The DEP discussed six projects that were submitted for approval last year, and another three they’re planning to submit in 2026.

However, residents in the area have concerns over how long it will take to start on the projects.

The DEP said it will take at least two years to take some of the projects from design to shovel ready, while some were already submitted two years ago and are still waiting on the design process.

One more public meeting will be held on April 30 in Fayetteville.