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 Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement awarded the Navajo Nation Tribal Government $544,168 on November 1, 2025, under the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation program (CFDA 15.252), a formula grant funding reclamation activities under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

The award funds abandoned mined land reclamation activities as described in the Navajo Nation's approved reclamation plan, including closure of eligible lands and waters mined and abandoned or left inadequately restored prior to August 3, 1977. Eligible costs cover activities directly identified in the approved reclamation plan, support costs including equipment and support services, and costs to develop amendments to the approved reclamation plan. The program prioritizes protection of public health, safety, and property from adverse effects of coal mining practices, and restoration of land and water resources.

Performance occurs in Arizona and runs through October 31, 2028. All activities must comply with 2 CFR 200 and the terms of the Navajo Nation's approved reclamation plan. The Navajo Nation operates as a federally recognized sovereign tribe with an approved SMCRA regulatory program and eligible lands within its 27,000-square-mile jurisdiction spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

Activities

This grant funds the AML reclamation activities of the approved reclamation plan of the navajo nation tribal government 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