Federal Grant Award Summary

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality received a $4,598,840 formula grant award effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, under the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AMLR) Program (CFDA 15.252) administered by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). This award represents Montana's allocation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) appropriation of $11.293 billion, which OSMRE distributes to eligible states and tribes at approximately $725 million annually over a 15-year period. The funding supports the state's approved reclamation plan to address environmental and safety hazards resulting from legacy coal mining operations within Montana's jurisdiction.

Under this grant, Montana will undertake reclamation activities directly identified in its approved reclamation plan, including closure of dangerous mine openings, treatment of acid mine drainage, landscape restoration, and abatement of physical hazards to public health and safety. Allowable costs include all direct reclamation activities, support costs for equipment and services, and costs associated with developing amendments to the approved reclamation plan. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate nexus with abandoned mine land reclamation and economic community development, with emphasis on providing safe drinking water in areas where groundwaters have been contaminated due to abandoned coal mines and supporting employment for current and former coal industry workers.