Located within one of Appalachia’s most iconic landscapes, reflects a layered history of natural beauty, industrial use and ecological recovery. Drawing on deep experience in abandoned mine lands reclamation, Atlas supports the park’s restoration by designing site-specific solutions that address legacy mining impacts while preserving the area’s scenic character and environmental integrity.

��Atlas developed reclamation design plans for five sites within the park system, each shaped by both abandoned surface and underground mining activities with the land altered by these past activities.�� ��Although mining operations ceased several decades ago, lingering impacts continue to affect surface and groundwater quality, landscape stability and visual aesthetics. Atlas’ approach focused on understanding the unique conditions at each site and developing thoughtful, low-profile solutions that restore function while blending naturally into the surrounding environment.

A central element of the work involved managing acid mine drainage (AMD) and other waters emanating from abandoned deep‑mine entries. At several locations, discharges were largely dispersed, difficult to control and highly visible within protected park settings. Atlas’ designs consolidate, control and convey flows, routing them through engineered systems that subtly follow natural drainage patterns. Treated water is directed to existing swales leading to the New River, reducing visual impacts while protecting water quality.

In areas where low‑volume seeps were identified, Atlas developed targeted capture and conveyance strategies to direct flows to designated outfall locations. These designs incorporate a proposed grout curtain to control subsurface pathways, with the resulting discharges routed to natural drainage features. Final outfalls are intentionally designed to appear seamless within the landscape, underscoring Atlas’ emphasis on technical performance paired with visual sensitivity.

Beyond mine water management, the project scope included reclamation design for abandoned highwalls, coal refuse and spoil piles, sealing of portals, stream restoration and remediation and demolition of legacy structures. Each component was approached with long‑term land management, safety and ecological recovery in mind — reflecting Atlas’ commitment to solutions that not only address existing hazards but also support natural processes and enhance the visitor experience.

Collaboration was integral throughout the design process with Atlas working closely with agency partners, including the National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, to align technical solutions with regulatory requirements, agency standards and long-term management objectives. This coordination helped navigate the complexities of working within a federally protected landscape while remaining consistent with the park’s mission. ��

“Through thoughtful planning, innovative engineering and respect for the natural and cultural significance of the New River Gorge, Atlas is helping transform areas affected by historical mining into stable, functional and visually harmonious landscapes. These projects demonstrate how reclamation design plans can successfully bridge the past and the future — addressing legacy impacts while protecting one of the nation’s newest and most treasured national parks for generations to come,” said Clayton Kirk Roderick, Atlas Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager.

Learn more:

• Atlas Abandoned Mine Lands Solutions
• Restoring What Was Left Behind—Atlas’ Leadership in Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation

Atlas Senior Ecologist Kyle Helal explains why protecting bat habitats during abandoned mine land reclamation is essential, as many legacy mine features create the stable microclimates endangered bat species rely on. This elevates thoughtful planning and mitigation from a regulatory requirement to a cornerstone of long-term ecological conservation.

Did you know Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation is entering a new phase — one that recognizes that old mine openings, highwalls, portals and underground tunnels are not just safety hazards, but rather, important habitats for cave-dwelling bats? These underground spaces often provide stable temperatures and a protected environment bats need to roost and hibernate. As AML programs evolve, more practitioners are pairing traditional remediation work with strategies that protect these unexpected ecological resources and support recovering bat populations.

Underground Microclimates: Small Spaces with Big Ecological Value

Across former mining landscapes, rock outcrops, mine entrances and underground tunnel networks create unique microclimates — stable pockets of cool, consistent air. Bats rely on these areas because temperatures between 38°F and 42°F help them conserve energy through winter hibernation. The design of many abandoned mines naturally supports these conditions. ��

Inside mine passages, airflow patterns — driven by pressure differences and chimney-like effects — often produce “cold-sink” zones where temperatures stay low all year. These conditions closely mimic natural caves. As White‑Nose Syndrome, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, continues to harm bat populations, these colder, deeper zones (below 39.2°F) are becoming even more important. While the fungus thrives in cool environments, it struggles to persist in these colder extremes. ��

Going Beyond Basic Compliance

When AML work overlaps with potential bat habitats, projects may be subject to federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act. The requirements under those laws typically include habitat assessments, species surveys, mine portal evaluations and coordination with regulatory agencies. But many organizations are pushing further, bringing ecological considerations into project planning phases much earlier.

This proactive approach helps teams to potentially avoid costly project redesigns, support long-term conservation and treat abandoned mines not just as hazards to remediate but as ecological assets that require thoughtful stewardship. ��

Bat‑Friendly Gates: Protecting Bats While Protecting People

One of the most effective tools for balancing public safety and bat conservation is the installation of bat-friendly gates. Modern gate designs allow air and temperature conditions to remain stable inside the mine while giving bats clear flight paths in and out. These gates also prevent unauthorized human entry and allow researchers to have controlled access through removable bars.

Multiple gate styles, such as basic, flyover, window, chute and cupola systems, provide flexibility for different mine shapes and bat colony sizes, making them a reliable solution at a wide range of sites.

Strengthening Conservation Outcomes Through Thoughtful Planning

Today’s AML projects increasingly prioritize protecting the microclimates and roosting conditions that bats rely on. When ecological knowledge is integrated directly into engineering and compliance processes, it helps safeguard sensitive species, promote stable underground ecosystems, reduce human-driven climate disruptions inside mines and support long-term population continuity. This approach helps to create reclaimed landscapes that are more resilient and ecologically connected.

The future of AML reclamation lies in blending engineering, regulatory strategy and ecological science. By designing closure and mitigation practices that help protect underground microclimates, sustain bat populations and limit disturbance, reclamation practitioners can promote outcomes that protect both people and the ecosystems intertwined with legacy mine features.

Atlas continues to align its practices with this integrated model as part of a growing industry-wide shift toward ecological stewardship. Explore how Atlas’ strategic reclamation practices protect bat habitats and encourage long-term environmental resilience through innovative, ecologically informed AML solutions.

Across the country, communities are investing in modern water infrastructure that can meet changing regulations, withstand seismic events and support long‑term population growth. A major regional initiative in the Pacific Northwest reflects this movement, leveraging alternative delivery through a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) approach to combine advanced treatment technology with seismically resilient pipelines — protecting a critical drinking water supply for generations to come.

At the heart of this program is a new state‑of‑the‑art filtration facility capable of treating 135 million gallons of water per day. Paired with new pipeline infrastructure to replace aging components, the project will remove sediment, organic material, microorganisms and other contaminants, including Cryptosporidium from the city’s drinking water supply.

Supporting Quality, Safety and Reliability Throughout Construction

As an essential partner on this CM/GC-delivered project, Atlas provides comprehensive inspection and quality oversight, spanning grading, concrete, coatings, pipeline installation, electrical systems and mechanical components. This work supports alignment with contractual requirements, regulatory expectations and the rigorous safety standards essential for a project of this scale.

Within the collaborative CM/GC delivery environment, Atlas strengthens coordinated decision‑making by offering clear documentation, real-time communication and multidisciplinary field support. Early contractor involvement enables proactive identification of constructability challenges, informed cost and schedule decisions and effective management — helping maintain compliance with state and federal water regulations while keeping construction moving efficiently.

Protecting Health, the Economy and the Future

This investment in upgraded treatment facilities and resilient conveyance infrastructure delivers benefits that extend far beyond regulatory compliance — protecting public health, supporting economic vitality and enhancing long-term system resilience in the face of seismic risk and future demand. ��

A Model for Modern Water Delivery

“This project demonstrates the value of alternative delivery, particularly the CM/GC model, in addressing complex water infrastructure challenges,” said Tom Price, Atlas Infrastructure President. “By working collaboratively with the owner, designer and contractor early in the process, our team helps manage risk, maintain consistent quality and adapt as field conditions evolve. Atlas’ integrated role supports informed decision-making and contributes to the long-term reliability of this essential water system.”

Learn more about Atlas’ alternative delivery solutions and connect with us at the annual , being held April 13-15, in Grapevine, Texas. Visit us in Booth #638.

Atlas’ Mike Filmyer reflects on his 40‑year engineering journey in water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Mike highlights some of the memorable projects he has been involved in and offers advice to up and coming engineers who are interested in making a difference to protect public health, preserve natural resources and help communities flourish and thrive.

For more than four decades, I have had the privilege of contributing to the design, management and improvement of water, wastewater and stormwater systems that millions of people rely on every day.

These essential yet often unseen systems form the backbone of healthy, sustainable and resilient communities. My journey in engineering has been shaped by a deep belief that infrastructure is more than pipes, pumps, tanks and treatment processes — it is about protecting public health, preserving natural resources and ensuring that communities can thrive.

A Dual Foundation in Biology and Engineering

My path into engineering began with a strong grounding in biology from St. Joseph’s University, followed by a second degree in Environmental Engineering Technology from Temple University.

The combination of biological insight and engineering rigor helped me understand not only how infrastructure works, but why it matters — especially when dealing with water quality, ecological health and regulatory compliance. Early in my career, this interdisciplinary knowledge proved invaluable as I began working in Baltimore before returning to my hometown of Glenside, Pennsylvania, where my roots and career both continued to grow.

Engineering in Service of Communities

Across my career, I’ve worked on hundreds of projects spanning water treatment plants, wastewater facilities, stormwater systems, pump stations, force mains, storage tanks and complex regulatory programs.

Each project brought its own unique challenges, but the most rewarding aspect has always been the impact on the communities we serve. Some of the highlights that continue to make me proud include:��

• An Anaerobic Digestion & Cogeneration Facility, where waste biogas was transformed into renewable energy for the community.
• An 18-inch force main installed via Horizontal Directional Drilling under the Lehigh River, a technically complex project that protected both infrastructure and the river ecosystem.
• A 3.4-million-gallon underground Combined Sewer Overflow storage facility, which eliminated millions of gallons of polluted discharges into local waterways. This tank was placed under a local university’s tennis courts, which were replaced as part of the project.

These projects, and many others like them, illustrate the critical role engineers play in public safety and environmental stewardship.

Technology as a Transformational Force

Over the past 40 years, technology has continually reshaped how we design and operate infrastructure. I’ve seen firsthand how advanced SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, new materials, better treatment technologies and improved hydraulic modeling have expanded what’s possible. My work on SCADA upgrades for regional authorities brought real‑time system visibility and operational reliability to facilities that previously operated with limited monitoring.

Technology has enabled us to make systems smarter, safer and more sustainable, and it will continue to drive the future of engineering.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Sustainability has been a thread running through my entire career, long before it was a buzzword. Whether designing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutant loads, preparing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit renewals or implementing stormwater reduction plans, I have seen how thoughtful engineering can dramatically improve environmental outcomes.

Projects such as stormwater BMPs, streambank restoration efforts or regenerative stormwater conveyance systems illustrate how engineered solutions can harmonize with natural systems.

Our responsibility as engineers is not only to solve today’s problems, but to protect ecosystems for generations to come.

Advice to the Next Generation of Engineers

One unique aspect of my career is the long-standing relationships I’ve built with my colleagues, many of whom I’ve worked with for decades. That continuity of people, knowledge and a shared mission has allowed us to take on increasingly complex challenges with confidence and collaboration.

To those entering the profession, or early in your careers, I offer a few guiding principles:

• Stay curious. Engineering changes constantly; lifelong learning is essential.
• Remember who you serve. Infrastructure exists for people and the environment, so keep communities at the center of every design.
• Embrace the details. In our field, precision saves money, prevents risk and protects lives.
• Seek mentors and be a mentor. Much of what I know came from generous colleagues who shared their expertise.
• Stand proudly in the impact you make. Engineers often work behind the scenes, but our work shapes the world.

A Career Built on Purpose

From wastewater treatment plants to pump stations, SCADA systems to stormwater BMPs, my career has been shaped by the belief that engineering is a public trust. Every design, every calculation and every decision carries with it the responsibility to safeguard communities and the environment.

As I reflect on more than 40 years in this profession, I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve worked with and the communities our work has contributed to. And as new generations begin to lead, I am confident the future of engineering will continue to bring innovative, resilient and sustainable solutions to the challenges ahead.

Atlas technologists Jim Kooser, Wetlands and Natural Resources Practice Leader, Midwest and Northeast Regions and Eric S. Goddard, PWS, Ecological Resources Project Manager highlight the role of native soils in restoration. Strategic soil planning not only enhances ecological outcomes but also reduces costs through faster recovery and lower maintenance.��

Across the U.S., agencies are investing billions of dollars to restore wetlands, uplands and ecosystems as well as reclaim orphaned wells and redevelop brownfields. These initiatives carry high stakes: they reverse decades of land use impacts, improve stormwater management and help rebuild critical habitats. The most successful restoration strategies go deeper than what’s visible above ground. Lasting success depends on what happens beneath the surface. By addressing soil structure, restoring hydrology and supporting healthy nutrient cycles and microbial life, Atlas helps agencies and developers achieve outcomes that endure, cost less to maintain and deliver stronger returns on public investment.��

Why Soil Matters��

When restoration approaches prioritize speed and immediate cost savings, the result is compacted soil during earthmoving, the application of low-cost seed mixes quickly and considering the job complete as soon as something green appears. The outcome is predictable: invasive or undesirable species dominate while target native plants struggle in degraded soil conditions.����

Foundation Work Happens Underground��

Sustainable restoration begins with what you can’t see. Before any seed hits the ground, four critical soil factors determine project outcomes: soil structure, chemistry, biology and hydrology.����

Native soils function as complete ecosystems. Beyond basic sand, silt and clay, soil also contains organic matter and living microbial communities that cycle nutrients, regulate moisture, create structural microhabitats and strengthen plant resilience. Compaction and the removal of accumulated soil organic matter essentially break this biological engine, leaving restoration efforts to fight an uphill battle.����

The shift in approach is straightforward: address the soil foundation before vegetation establishment, and native species gain the competitive advantage they need to thrive in the long term.����

Practical Soil Development Strategies��

• Prevent Compaction Damage: Heavy machinery destroys soil structure with every pass. Instead, loosely pile materials and use low-pressure, tracked equipment for final grading. For severely compacted areas, the “push-up method” — creating aligned soil stacks with minimal pressure, then light grading — can restore essential porosity. Deep tilling to a depth of 2-4 feet optimizes the root growth capacity of trees, shrubs and meadow species.������

• Feed the Microbiome: Incorporate fine organic matter such as sawdust to increase soil carbon, enhance water retention and support beneficial microbes that aid native plant health and resilience. When possible, repurpose on-site tree and shrub material to reduce waste and naturally enrich the soil.����

• Balance Nutrient Chemistry: Test soil conditions before adding fertilizers. Former agricultural sites often contain excess nitrogen that fuels the growth of invasive species. Carbon-rich amendments can help rebalance these conditions, depriving non-native species of their preferred higher-nitrogen environment.����

Strategic Species Selection��

Match plant choices to restoration goals, whether that’s pollinator support, wildlife corridors, visual appeal or ecosystem reconstruction. In many cases it’s all the above. Regional native species offer proven compatibility with local soil and climate conditions.����

Maximize ecosystem resilience by incorporating plants with varied bloom periods and mature heights. Establish native meadows through drilling, broadcasting or hydroseeding techniques. In deep-tilled areas, combine tree and shrub planting with strategically placed brush piles made from site debris. These serve as wildlife refuges, carbon stores and seed banks that accelerate natural regeneration.����

Long-Term Performance Advantages��

Well-established native systems require minimal ongoing intervention. Initial watering and weed management may be necessary during the first growing season. After that, annual dormant season mowing often provides sufficient maintenance. Forested areas require some initial understory maintenance but become increasingly self-sustaining as canopy coverage develops.��

The broader benefits extend beyond reduced maintenance. Properly designed native systems control stormwater runoff, filter pollutants, support biodiversity and deliver measurable ecological value. These projects succeed not just by what gets planted, but by what flourishes over time.����

The Bottom Line��

Investing in soil strategy shifts the focus from short-term site turnover to long-term ecosystem health with aesthetic benefits. It requires more upfront planning, but the return on investment is clear: better environmental outcomes, fewer future interventions and measurable cost savings. Start with the soil, and you build a legacy that lasts.����

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AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 26, 2024 — Atlas Technical Consultants Inc., a leading provider of infrastructure and environmental solutions, today announced that the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Southern Idaho Section has awarded the Whistle Pig Tank development the 2023 Project of the Year in the less than $10 million category.

“This recognition is a testament to the exceptional geotechnical capabilities of our Boise team,” says Atlas CEO Jacque Hinman. “We’re proud of their hard work and look forward to their continued innovation and success.”

Addressing the critical issue of sufficient water supply, the project provides essential water storage and system resiliency for South Ada County residents and businesses.

Developed in collaboration with engineering firm Keller Associates for water utility company Veolia, the Whistle Pig Tank project faced unique design challenges. Veolia enlisted Keller to design a distinctive 2.65-million-gallon concrete tank, fully buried to harmonize with its surroundings.

Named after the groundhogs and ground squirrels native to the area, the Whistle Pig Tank was constructed within a steep hillside to minimize visibility and impact on the existing Birds of Prey site.

The tank incorporates several innovative elements: It’s filled using a series of pressure-reducing valves, and complex valving and controls manage bypass provisions. The tank’s mixing system leverages high-pressure water for mechanical mixing without the need for a pump. A small control structure on top of the tank includes provisions for future re-chlorination. Additionally, site enhancements involved challenging pipeline installations, an overflow pond, and creative grading and access improvements.

The Atlas team successfully guided the tank’s construction into the hillside, performing specialized geotechnical investigations, calculating lateral earth pressures, designing foundations and pavements, and offering comprehensive construction recommendations.

Beyond engineering and design, Atlas provided expertise in cost-effective construction solutions. The achievement builds on a decade-long partnership between Atlas and Keller Associates, with mutual trust and proven success from previous collaborations playing a significant role in securing the work.

About Atlas Technical Consultants:

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Atlas is a leading provider of Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions. We partner with our clients to improve performance and extend the lifecycle of built and natural infrastructure assets stressed by climate, health, and economic impacts. With 3,500+ employees nationwide, Atlas brings deep technical expertise to public- and private-sector clients, integrating services across four primary disciplines: Environmental (ENV); Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC); Engineering & Design (E&D); and Program Management/Construction Management, and Quality Management (PCQM). To learn more about Atlas innovations for transportation, commercial, water, government, education, and industrial markets, visit��.

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Media Contact:

Carolyn King
303-248-8882
Carolyn.King@oneatlas.com

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