September 20-23, we’ll join abandoned mine land (AML) professionals from across the country at the 47th Annual , in Park City, Utah. The conference brings together engineers, geologists, ecologists, regulators and reclamation specialists who share a common goal: addressing the legacy of historic mining while creating healthier, more resilient landscapes for future generations.
Across the United States, abandoned mine lands continue to present complex environmental, engineering and ecological challenges. Unstable abandoned highwalls, acid mind drainage, subsidence features and degraded streams remain visible reminders of mining’s legacy. At the same time, many of these sites have evolved into important ecological resources, supporting wildlife habitat and creating opportunities for landscape-scale restoration.
From our perspective, conferences like NAAMLP matter because they create space for practitioners to share lessons learned, discuss emerging challenges and explore how reclamation programs are evolving to meet both environmental and community needs.
Why This Work Matters to Us
Although we approach AML reclamation from different disciplines, our work is connected by a common objective: restoring landscapes in ways that balance public safety, environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability.
Kirk’s work focuses on the engineering, geologic and hydrologic challenges that define many AML projects. Throughout his career, he has helped evaluate and reclaim sites impacted by abandoned highwalls, spoil areas, acid mine drainage and unstable terrain across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. Successful reclamation requires understanding not only what mining has left behind, but also how those conditions continue to affect the landscape decades later.
Kyle’s work centers on ecological restoration and environmental compliance, helping reclamation projects account for the habitats, species and natural systems that have developed within former mining landscapes. Many abandoned mine features now provide important habitat for bats and other species of concern, creating opportunities to incorporate conservation objectives into reclamation planning.
Sharing Lessons from the Field
At this year’s conference, our presentations will explore two different but complementary aspects of modern AML reclamation.
Kirk will present “Reclamation of Legacy Mine Hazards: A Multi-Disciplinary Reclamation Approach at the Rohr Highwall Site,” at 2:30p.m. on Monday, September 21. The presentation examines the Rohr Highwall Site, a complex reclamation project involving hazardous highwalls, spoil materials consisting of coal refuse and red dog/clinker material and drainage challenges associated with historic mining activities. Drawing from this case study, Kirk will discuss how engineers, geologists, environmental scientists and reclamation specialists worked together to evaluate site conditions, develop reclamation strategies and address long-standing environmental and public safety concerns.
The Rohr Highwall Site highlights a challenge common to many AML projects: no single issue exists in isolation. Highwall stability, drainage patterns, acid mine drainage, spoil management and long-term landform performance are often interconnected. Addressing one condition requires understanding how changes will affect the broader landscape. Kirk’s presentation explores how a multidisciplinary approach can help teams develop practical, site-specific solutions that balance technical requirements, environmental considerations and long-term stewardship objectives.
Kyle will present “Transforming Abandoned Mine Lands into Refuges for Threatened and Endangered Species,” at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, September 21. His presentation highlights how reclamation projects can support habitat conservation and ecological restoration while continuing to meet traditional reclamation goals. Drawing from real-world reclamation efforts, Kyle will discuss how abandoned mine features can provide important habitat for species of concern and how ecological considerations can be incorporated into project planning and design.
While the topics differ, both presentations reflect the expanding role of modern AML reclamation. Today’s projects often address not only legacy mine challenges, but also opportunities to improve water quality, restore habitat and support long-term environmental stewardship.
The Value of Coming Together
Federal and state investments continue to accelerate reclamation efforts across the country. At the same time, advances in engineering, geology, hydrology, ecological restoration, monitoring technologies and environmental planning are creating new possibilities for addressing legacy mine impacts in more comprehensive ways.
What we value most about NAAMLP is the opportunity to connect with others as we all navigate similar challenges. Conversations around highwall stabilization, acid mine drainage treatment, habitat restoration and long-term land stewardship continue to shape how the industry approaches reclamation.
As our practice continues to evolve, the path forward depends on collaboration, innovation and the willingness to share knowledge across disciplines. We look forward to being part of those conversations in Park City and bringing those insights back to the projects and communities we serve.
Learn more about Atlas’ AML services and check out Kirk’s previous article, Restoring What Was Left Behind: Atlas’ Leadership in Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation, for additional insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping AML restoration today.
Read Kyle’s article, Protecting Bat Habitats in Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation, which explores how abandoned mine features can provide valuable bat habitat and how thoughtful reclamation planning can help balance public safety objectives with ecological stewardship.
Clayton Kirk Roderick
Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager
Clayton Kirk Roderick serves as Atlas’ Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager. Kirk joined Atlas in 2022 and brings more than 26 years of experience in project coordination and supervision of coal and non-coal exploration projects, coal and non-coal surface and underground mine permitting, gas well permitting, gas line permitting, hydrologic studies and geologic reserve evaluations. He has extensive knowledge in mining permits where he has compiled and interpreted information for the completion of environmental permits in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has represented clients at Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and West Virginia DEP meetings and public meetings, conducted field reconnaissance of sites and conducted various geologic and hydrologic studies.
Kyle Helal
Senior Ecologist
Kyle Helal is a Senior Ecologist at Atlas. He brings 14 years of experience in the natural resources sector to this role. He focuses predominately on Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation and mitigation, floral and faunal presence/probable absence surveys, biological assessments, environmental permitting, environmental health and safety compliance, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting and management and GIS services.
Kyle Helal also has regulatory, permitting and compliance experience related to oil and gas and environmental restoration projects in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Dakota and Texas.