WASHINGTON - Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton will visit Altoona, Pennsylvania on Thursday, October 13, 2005 to salute Senator Rick Santorum for his leadership in the improvements to public lands across the state. In particular Secretary Norton will highlight Senator Santorum's outstanding work in the reclamation of abandoned mine lands. Although there is much work to be done, because of reclamation efforts from May 2003 to the present, 100,000 people no longer face the health and safety dangers from nearby abandoned mine sites. Horseshoe Curve, a symbol of past partnership success and an inspiration to the work ahead will serve as backdrop for the event.

WHO:	Gale A. Norton, Secretary of the Department of the Interior Rick Santorum, Senator, Pennsylvania Jeffrey D. Jarrett, Director, Office of Surface Mining Donna Fisher, District Manager, Blair Conservation District John Dawes, Administrator of Western PA Watershed Program Tom Martin, Mayor of Altoona
WHEN:	Thursday, October 13, 2005 10:30 a.m. EST
WHERE:	Horseshoe Curve Visitors Center, Veterans Memorial Highway (SR 4008) Altoona, Pennsylvania

Press Note: Press should arrive early so they can prepare to shoot B roll footage from the top of Horseshoe Curve, where the Secretary and Senator will receive a briefing on the abandoned mine drainage issue. There will be a media availability at the visitor's center following the remarks.