Under the state’s processes, a portion of fees annually is returned to counties’ fiscal courts for beneficial projects in their areas.

The funds will be especially helpful during the down market that has hit Kentucky especially hard.

While refunds varied from $25 to more than $67,000, it was the coal-rich counties of the state that received the most.

Some of these include top recipient Pike County at $67,225, Leslie County with $28,195, Bell County with $27,979, Harlan County at $25,425 and Floyd County with $17,100.

Ten counties received $15,000 or more.

“Our administration is making every effort to assist the mining industry to extract coal in a safe, efficient and legal manner consistent with the surface mining laws and the need to protect our environment,” Beshear said.

“Our coal-producing counties are our partners and these funds provide a direct benefit for their efforts.”

The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources is an agency of the state’s Energy and Environment Cabinet.