Reclaiming Abandoned Mine Lands

Two centuries of US coal mining occurred before the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977. As a result, millions of Americans live less than a mile from an abandoned coal mine. OSMRE, through its Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Program, addresses the hazards and environmental degradation posed by these legacy mine sites.

See Reclamation in Action.

See award winning abandoned mine land reclamation.

Abandoned Mine Land Program

AML Fee Collection

Changes in the coal reclamation fee over time

Title IV of SMCRA created the AML reclamation program funded by a reclamation fee assessed on each ton of coal produced. As originally enacted, SMCRA authorized collection of reclamation fees for 15 years following the date of enactment (August 3, 1977). Subsequent legislation extended the fee collection authority seven times and lowered the fee rate. The fee collection is set to expire in 2021.

The Status of the AML Fund

From Fiscal Year 1977 through Fiscal Year 2019, a total of $11.496 billion has been collected in the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Fund. This total is divided as $1.511 billion for the United Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Fund, $1.816 billion for OSMRE operation and AML emergencies, $2.233 billion as unappropriated balance, and $5.935 billion as AML grants to States and Tribes. The $5.935 billion of AML Grants is further divided into categories for Coal and Non-coal Construction ($3.817 billion), Project Design, Establishment of AML Programs, and Oversight Expenses ($1 billion), Administrative Costs ($430 million), Acid Mine Drainage ($401 million), and Undelivered Orders ($287 million).

Fees collected from active coal mines are managed by OSMRE and held in the AML Fund. Within the AML Fund, monies are classified as State/Tribal Share (50%), Historic Coal Share (30%), and Federal Expense Share (20%). The AML Fund is distributed as grants using preset formulas to Uncertified and Minimum Program States. Both Uncertified and Minimum Program states receive grants from the State/Tribal Share and Historic Coal Share. Additional funds are provided to minimum program states from the Federal Expense Share to ensure a minimum grant of $3 million each year. Additionally, OSMRE manages funds provided from the US Treasury. These funds are distributed though the AML grant process to Certified States and Tribes.

The AML Fund has collected $11.496 billion through a reclamation fee assessed on each ton of coal that is produced. OSMRE has distributed $5.935 billion in AML grants to states and tribes from the collected fees. An additional $1.511 billion was transferred to United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Health and Retirement Funds, and $1.816 billion has been used for OSMRE operating expenses and AML emergencies. $2.233 billion of the AML Fund remains unappropriated.

See the Status of the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Fund for additional information.

Distribution of AML Grants

The AML grant distribution is the process by which OSMRE calculates annually specific amount of AML grants to be awarded to each state and tribe. Since the 2006 SMCRA Amendments, AML grants have been mandatory distributions to states and tribes, which is based on a pre-set formula authorized by SMCRA. This formula takes into account AML fee collections, historic coal production, the various shares within the AML Fund (i.e. State/Tribal Share, Federal Expense Share, Historic Coal Share), the minimum program supplemental adjustments, the AML inventory and, any other special Appropriations Act provisions (e.g. sequestration).

Resources

Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (e-AMLIS)
- The Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System is a computer system used to store, manage, and report on the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's Inventory of Abandoned Mine Land Problems. This includes both problems in need of reclamation and those that have been reclaimed.
AML Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program
- The FY 2020 guidance applies to all AML Pilot projects including the most recent fiscal year (FY 2020) and all previous years of the AML Pilot Program (FY 2016 – FY 2019).
- FY 2020 Guidance
- FY 2019 Guidance
- FY 2018 Guidance
- FY 2017 Guidance
- FY 2016 Guidance
Annual Evaluation Reports for States and Tribes
- OSMRE establishes policies and procedures for evaluation of State and tribal abandoned mine land reclamation programs.
Applicant/Violator System (AVS)
- The Applicant Violator System (AVS) is an automated information system owned and operated by OSMRE. Information on applicants, permittees, operators, application and permit records, as well as unabated or uncorrected environmental violations of SMCRA are maintained in this nationwide database for OSMRE’s Federal and State programs.
Federal Assistance Manual (FAM)
- OSMRE uses this Federal Assistance Manual to show how OSMRE and its grantees manage Federal grants.
Laws, Regulations, and Guidance
National Mine Map Repository
- The National Mine Map Repository (NMMR) collects and maintains mine map information and images for the entire country.
Reclamation Awards
- OSMRE recognizes deserving state regulatory agencies and coal mining companies with two annual award programs: one for high-quality reclamation projects at mines abandoned prior to when Congress enacted the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, (SMCRA), the other for reclamation of mines that began operating after the passage of the law.
Regulatory Directives
- The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement policy directives are written communication provided in the form of instructions, manuals, notices, guides, policies, and procedures. These policy documents assist employees in effectively performing their jobs.
State Contacts and Programs