The BLM is committed to minimizing physical and environmental hazards associated with abandoned mines in Arizona.  In the mid-1990's, the BLM began inventorying abandoned mines on BLM-managed lands.  Arizona's inventory was conducted by the Arizona State Mine Inspector's Office (ASMI) with funds and equipment provided by the BLM from its mining law and hazardous materials management programs.  The inventory focused around population centers and areas where there is a high potential for recreational use.  Projections from the ASMI inventory suggest that there may be as many as 27,000 abandoned mine features in Arizona.  Many of these mine features are relatively insignificant, such as shallow trenches and small exploration pits. However, others pose physical and environmental hazards which will require some form of remediation or closure.