Formula Grant S26AF00006

The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation received an $8.57 million Formula Grant award from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) under the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AMLR) Program (CFDA 15.252). The award, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, supports reclamation activities on eligible coal mining lands abandoned or inadequately restored prior to August 3, 1977, in Tennessee. Funding covers all costs necessary to implement projects identified in the state's approved reclamation plan, including closure of dangerous mine openings, treatment of acid mine drainage, landscape and water resource restoration, and provision of safe drinking water in areas affected by legacy coal mining.

This award is distributed under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) framework, which appropriated $11.293 billion nationally for abandoned mine reclamation, with approximately $725 million distributed annually to eligible states and tribes over a 15-year period. The Tennessee grant supports direct reclamation activities, equipment, support services, and costs associated with amendments to the approved reclamation plan. All funded activities must align with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) and prioritize addressing physical hazards and environmental contamination that threaten public health, safety, and property in coal-affected communities.