Program: abandoned mined lands (AML) program (title IV)award purpose: the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977 (smcra), p.l 95-87, as amended, created the office of surface mining…

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) awarded the Utah Oil Gas & Mining Division a $2.829 million formula grant under the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program (CFDA 15.252) effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. This grant funds implementation of Utah's approved Abandoned Mined Lands (AML) reclamation plan as authorized under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The funded activities include direct reclamation work on eligible abandoned mine lands, support costs for equipment and services, and expenses associated with developing amendments to the approved reclamation plan, all in compliance with 2 CFR 200 federal requirements.

The primary deliverables under this grant address the statutory priorities outlined in SMCRA Section 403, which emphasize protection of public health, safety, and property from adverse effects of historical mining practices, coupled with restoration of land and water resources and environmental remediation. Specific reclamation activities and measurable outcomes are documented in Utah's approved reclamation plan and detailed annual evaluation reports available through the OSMRE website. The grant supports Utah's ongoing state-level AML program operations and enables the state to reclaim eligible lands that were mined or abandoned prior to August 3, 1977, or represent legacy sites abandoned before November 5, 1990, with insolvent surety bonds.

Activities

This grant funds the AML reclamation activities of the approved reclamation plan of utah oil gas mining division as described in 30 CFR, subchapter t - programs for the conduct of surface mining operations within each state tribe. Activities funded by this grant must comply with 2 CFR 200 and include all costs necessary to reclaim eligible lands as defined by smcra and the approved reclamation plan and include costs are for activities directly identified in the approved reclamation plan, support costs including such activities as equipment and support services, and costs to develop an amendment to the approved reclamation plan.expected deliverables or outcomes: documents related to the oversight of the state program, including deliverables, expected outcomes, and past annual evaluation reports for the state can be found on the osmre website https: WWW.odocs.osmre.GOV. Costs must be used for activities directly identified in the approved program. Support costs must be used for the activities identified in the approved program, including such activities as equipment and support services. Costs to develop an amendment to the approved program.

Intended beneficiaries

In accordance with section 403 of smcra (P.L. 95-87), as amended, the AML program prioritizes:1. Protection of public health, safety, and property from adverse effects of coal mining practices 2.restoration of land and water resources, the environment, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices, 3.restoration of land and water resources and the environment previously degraded by adverse effects of coal mining practices, including measures for the conservation and development of soil, water (excluding channelization), woodland, fish and wildlife, recreation resources, and agricultural productivity.subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): n a