Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR/AML) Grants

The U.S. Department of the Interior has been authorized by Congress to establish an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR) Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This program is separate and not inclusive of the Office

This funding for this grant program is subject to Annual Appropriations from Congress.

Eligible applicants are limited to States, as described by 30 U.S.C. § 1245(b) and further defined by 30 U.S.C. § 1291(24) as "a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam." Also, applicants are limited to Tribes, as described by 30 U.S.C. § 1245(b) and further defined by 30 U.S.C. § 1291(10) as any Indian tribe, band, group, or community having a governing body recognized by the Secretary of the Interior. Hardrock AML sites that are being addressed through other programs, including but not limited to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund Program [e.g., removal actions and National Priorities List (NPL) sites], the U.S. Department of Energy Defense-Related Uranium Mines (DRUM) program, or sites already funded by the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation's (OSMRE) Abandoned Mine Lands program grants are not eligible for this grant. Only one new grant application may be submitted per State or per Federally registered Tribe during the funding cycle. If within a State or Tribe, there are multiple agencies with jurisdiction over hardrock AMLs, and they are interested in receiving AHMR funding, the application must be submitted by one agency or (applicant agency) on behalf of the other subagencies or departments within the State or Tribe.

The public will directly benefit from the activities conducted under this program. Benefits will include reclamation and remediation of sites to return lands to productive uses, including energy development. Many of these sites are in rural areas with diminished economic opportunities for residents and businesses. Local contractors are engaged to restore lands to productive uses and to increase site safety in affected areas. This program also bolsters economic development in communities impacted by job losses in the mining industry.

Activities may include developing methods to inventory, assess, decommission, reclaim respond to hazardous substance releases on, and remediate non-coal abandoned mine sites and features impacted by past mining activities; reduce the inventory of hardrock abandoned mines; reduce liabilities by eliminating or reducing risks posed by hardrock abandoned mines; protect public health and safety; and reduce potential environmental harm caused by hardrock abandoned mines.

Funding cannot be used for reclamation, remediation, or inventory of coal mine lands or features. No funding may be used for the construction or operations of public facilities. Activities conducted must be in compliance with all Executive and Secretarial Orders, which may be found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order

The project period of performance may be up to five years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance is the following: the program obligates funds, reviews and selects recipients, and issues a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. The program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the award notice.

U.S. states may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review.

The First Level of Screening addresses basic eligibility as outlined in the funding announcement. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Applications must meet the requirements of the Directed Announcement posted in www.grantsolutions.gov. Application screening may include, but is not limited to, the following activities: program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package, including required documents and attachments. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Detailed information about the Second Level or Merit Review Evaluation is stated in the funding announcement. Eligible applications will be evaluated in an objective and unbiased manner using the merit review criteria published in the Directed Announcement. Proposals will be evaluated on strengths or weaknesses in addressing each merit review criterion as listed in the funding announcement. The Third Level Review involves pre-award clearances and approvals required to issue Federal Financial Assistance. The Federal Awarding Agency will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations, the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other program requirements.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the notice of funding opportunity, program regulations, and statutes. All timely submitted and qualified proposals are reviewed by program staff and financial assistance official. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notice in writing. All approved grants will be awarded using GrantSolutions and recipient payments will be made using the U.S. Department of Treasury's Automated Standard Applications (ASAP).

Please refer to the published Directed Announcements for more information regarding deadlines.

Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, through the Interior Business Center, will provide all applicants with information on why their application submission was not selected for award.