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CONSOL SUPPORTS LOCAL HUNTING COMMUNITY IN RECLAMATION
Domestic Mine Article by Harold Hough April/May 2009

History shows that there is more to winning the mine permitting battle than getting the permission of the state and federal bureaucrats. Just ask Rosemont in Green Valley, Arizona. Mines must connect with the community and its interests. And, there is no better company that relates to community interests than CONSOL Energy, which has become an advocate of hunting in a part of the country where hunting is a cherished tradition.

Consol has focused on winning the support of the local communities by supporting the local hunters by expanding the opportunities for hunting game. A little over a year ago CONSOL was honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) with its Energy for Wildlife Corporate Achievement Award. The award recognized the coal mining company's outstanding efforts to improve wildlife habitat and promote conservation and the country's hunting heritage. Over the past 10 years, CONSOL has allocated 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat to various states for public use. They have also donated over $50,000 for the purchase of conservation equipment.

Another pro-hunting reclamation effort is found in Ohio. The Powhatan Point Wildlife Area in Eastern Ohio is a boon for local hunters. Consol deep-mined the area and approximately 10% had been strip mined before being reclaimed. In 2006, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife entered into a cooperative agreement where hunting is the major recreational use in Powhatan Point. Other uses include fishing, mushroom and berry picking, hiking, nature study, and bird watching. Reclamation included protection and improvement of existing woodlands and selective management of shrubby coverts and open land. The rugged, heavily-forested area is home to white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, grey squirrels, cottontail rabbits and many woodland songbirds.

In many ways, CONSOL's support of hunting sports is a tribute to the company’s beginnings. It began in one of the richest wildlife parts of the Eastern United States. Consolidation Coal Company was formed in 1860 with the merger of several coal-mining firms in Western Maryland. Unfortunately, within months, the country was embroiled in the Civil War. Since Western Maryland was a major battlefield of the war, hostilities kept the new company from actually mining until after the surrender of the South in 1865. Today Western Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania retain their hunting heritage and the first day of deer season is as close to a state holiday as anything.

Another area that is now open to hunting and sports shooting thanks to CONSOL is the Pedlar Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia. "These new facilities will provide many new and much-needed opportunities for outdoors enthusiasts in Monongalia and surrounding counties," said West Virginia Gov. Manchin at their dedication. "Hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers from the Morgantown , Fairmont and Clarksburg areas will now have better access to the recreation they enjoy. Increased activity in these areas also will provide a boost to local businesses."

Pedlar was opened to the public in 2004, and includes 766 acres in north central Monongalia County. In 2007, construction was completed on two family fishing lakes and the first public shooting range in Monongalia County, including eight sheltered shooting benches. The property was a gift deeded to the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources by CONSOL Energy, Inc. "The Pedlar wildlife management areas are prime examples of how a state agency like DNR, a conservation organization like NWTF, and private industries like Consol Energy Inc. can work together to provide public lands and facilities for the enjoyment of hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists for generations to come," said West Virginia’s director of the Department of Natural Resources, Frank Jezioro at the opening of the shooting range.

Even in remembering the victims of 9-11, CONSOL has contributed to increasing hunting land. CONSOL Energy donated more than 231 acres of company-owned land to help buffer the Flight 93 National Memorial site from future development. The land is located approximately one mile northeast of the Flight 93 National Memorial boundary. It will be transferred to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for incorporation into the recently established State Game Land 93.

That is not to say that all CONSOL reclamation has been hunter oriented. In fall of 2008, CONSOL Energy received the National Association of State Land Reclamationist's (NASLR) "Outstanding Reclamation Project of 2008" Award. CONSOL was recognized for reforestation efforts at its Illinois surface mines, (Burning Star No. 2, Burning Star No. 4 and Burning Star No. 5), where almost three million trees were planted on 3,000 acres of reclaimed mined land. CONSOL was recognized for exceeding all of the requirements of the reclamation laws.

However, CONSOL has recognized that a good reputation begins with good community relations. And, in many parts of CONSOL territory that means supporting America's hunting heritage.