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OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT
abandoned Mine Land inventory system
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the OSM AML Inventory include all land and water damaged by past mining?
A: No, it only contains problems eligible for reclamation using the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. Also, only coal-related problems due to mining prior to the enactment of Surface Mining Control Reclamation Act and meeting the first two objective set out in SMCRA, Priorities 1 and 2, have been systematically inventoried.
The categories of problems in the Inventory and their share of total reclamation costs in the Inventory are shown in the table.
Select this link for table. 
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Q: Does the AML Inventory contain information on mine(s) or company(ies) responsible for the damage?
A: No. Under SMCRA sites are eligible for reclamation funding if there is no party with a continuing reclamation responsibility under State or Federal law.
Q: What are the three funding status categories used in the inventory?
A: Unfunded, Funded, and Completed.
Q: Are new problems being added to the AML Inventory?
A: Yes.
Q: Why are new problems being added?
A: The two main reasons are:
a.) A pre-existing problem that did not meet the priorities now meets them because of a change in circumstances. For example, an existing highwall not in the AML Inventory is added when, after heavy rains, it becomes unstable and threatens a house near its base.
b.) A new problem arises. For example, an old underground coal mine begins to subside threatening a road and nearby houses. A subsidence problem would be added to the AML Inventory.