An Eastern Kentucky coal company signs a commitment to reforestation.

Officials with ICG Hazard joined the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative by signing a statement of mutual intent.
It's the third coal company to sign the agreement.

"Researchers have actually helped us investigate different ways of planting the trees to make the mine lands grow them quicker, grow them better," says ICG President and CEO Ben Hatfield. "We don't want mine lands to just be relegated to wild grasses and unproductive use. We want them to be suitable for wildlife and home development and all the thing that make us enjoy being in kentucky."

Kentucky is the third largest hardwood producer in the nation.