Construction has begun on one of Iowa’s largest abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation projects in the state’s history. The Pella Wildlife Area spans 280 acres and consists of the 162-acre Pella AML site in Marion County, Iowa. The area is laden with hazardous water bodies and steep embankments, posing severe risks to both wildlife and visitors.
Strip coal mining in Iowa left behind a toxic legacy of eroded landscapes, acidic soils, and heavy metal-tainted water bodies. The state has more than 13,000 acres of AML sites located on private and public lands and waterways, and these sites pose significant risks to people and ecosystems.
Efforts to address these challenges and transform Iowa’s abandoned coal mines into valuable habitats and community spaces are gaining momentum. As highlighted in The Gazette, recent federal funding increases have tripled Iowa’s annual allocation for mine reclamation from $2.9 million to $9 million. This infusion of resources is expediting critical projects and leveraging steady partnerships like Shive-Hattery and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to tackle these complex projects.
With its dangerously unstable slopes and polluted ponds, the Pella site is one of many areas requiring urgent attention.
“Our partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is built on shared goals of conservation, safety and sustainability.”
— Luke Monat, Water and Environment Market Leader | Shive-Hattery
He added that, “for over 25 years, we’ve collaborated with IDALS, property owners, and other partners to implement stable and cost-effective solutions that are unique to each reclamation site’s conditions and long term management plan.”
Shive-Hattery’s approach to the Pella AML site addressed priority features and leveraged the best practices we’ve developed for Iowa reclamation projects. Using historic aerial data, their team designed a comprehensive plan to restore the site’s natural water channels, stabilize highwalls, and fill dangerous pits. Newly created wetlands will capture and treat runoff, filtering pollutants before water flows into local creeks and the Des Moines River.
Shive-Hattery produced high-resolution renderings and flyover videos of the proposed reclaimed landscape to support community involvement further. These tools enable the public and adjacent landowners to visualize the site’s transformation.
“3D visualizations bring the design to life, giving landowners and the community a true sense of the site’s potential after reclamation making building trust and excitement around the project easier.”
— Michael Otten, Civil Engineer| Shive-Hattery
The impact of Shive-Hattery’s design extends beyond safety. By restoring native vegetation and introducing habitats like wetlands and floodplain corridors, the project will create a thriving ecosystem, enhance public recreation, and protect local waterways from pollutants. The site’s historical pre-mining topography and natural features will guide the restoration, ensuring an ecologically sound transformation aligned with Iowa’s conservation goals.
“Reclaiming this site has a huge ecological upside. The restoration will improve water quality, create diverse habitat for local wildlife and transform the land into a space the public can truly enjoy for years.”
Shive-Hattery will collaborate closely with state agencies, residents, and wildlife experts as the project progresses to finalize a design that balances community needs and ecological health. The Pella AML project exemplifies a modern reclamation approach beyond simple hazard mitigation—creating spaces where nature and people can thrive together.
