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Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program

Congress has appropriated funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program (previously known as the AML Pilot Program) on an annual basis since Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. The intent of the program is to explore and implement strategies that return legacy coal mining sites to productive uses through economic and community development. The AMLER Program supports local investment opportunities that provide for sustainable long-term rehabilitation of coalfield economies. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) administers the AMLER Program and provides eligible states and Tribes with AMLER funds and guidance on project eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

AMLER Funding

Consistent with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42), on June 3rd, 2024, OSMRE made direct payments to AMLER eligible states and Tribes. The FY 2024 AMLER Program will provide funds to the six Appalachian states with the highest amount of unfunded Priority 1 and Priority 2 AML sites based on OSMRE AML inventory data as of September 30, 2023 and the three tribes with AML Programs. Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are each allocated $28.666 million; Alabama, Ohio, and Virginia are each allocated $11 million; the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation each allocated at $3.667 million; and the Crow Tribe is allocated $3.666 million. 

Appropriated AMLER Funding (Millions of Dollars)

General AMLER Process for FY 2016 - FY 2023 Funding

Step 1: Congress announces annual AMLER funding as part of annual Appropriation Law. Step 2: OSMRE informs eligible states/tribes that they will receive AMLER funds and allocations are made to each state/tribe. Step 3: State/Tribe work with partners to compile, assess, and select potential projects to submit to OSMRE for vetting. Step 4: OSMRE reviews projects submitted by state/tribe to determine eligibility criteria are met in accordance with OSMRE's Guidance Document. Step 5: OSMRE issues preliminary approval. Step 6: State/Tribe gathers environmental information and works with OSMRE to complete a NEPA analysis for each project. Step 7: OSMRE reviews environmental information and issues a NEPA decision document (ROD or FONSI) for each project. Step 8: State/Tribe submits a request for OSMRE’s Authorization to Proceed (ATP) for each project. Step 9: OSMRE reviews ATP request and issues ATP approval for each project. Step 10: State/Tribe spends AMLER funds on construction. Step 11: State/Tribe reports on performance measures for Annual AMLER Report. Step 12: AMLER project completed. Note: The reporting of performance measures by the states/tribes for the Annual AMLER Report (Step 11), also continues after the project is completed (Step 12).

Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance on Project Eligibility

For projects receiving AMLER funds for FY 2024, view the Guidance for Project Eligibility Under the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program for FY 2024. This document provides an overview of AMLER and eligibility requirements for AMLER projects funded exclusively by the FY 2024 AMLER program. 

Submission of Project Applications

AMLER project applications are submitted to state/Tribal AML Programs. For more information, see the links below.

AlabamaKentuckyOhio
PennsylvaniaVirginiaWest Virginia
Crow TribeHopi TribeNavajo Nation

 

Status of the AMLER Program and Projects

Refer to the report on the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program for FY 2016 – FY 2022 for information on the status of the program and specific projects.

AMLER Project Status

 

Yes, reference to the "Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program" (AML Pilot Program) changed to the "Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program" (AMLER Program) in March 2021 to realign with the language in the appropriation law (P.L. 116-260 - pages 308-309). The AMLER name refers to all years of the program (first funded in FY 2016). For continuity with older documents (e.g. reports and guidance documents prior to FY 2021), reference to AMLER will include context that it is also known as the AML Pilot Program.

Funding is allocated by Congress in the annual appropriations law (e.g. P.L. 117-328 - pages 313). Your state/Tribal AML program will announce when applications can be submitted.

In general, projects that create economic/community development on or adjacent to eligible abandoned mine land (may require reclamation or was previously reclaimed). For specific information and examples, view the Guidance for Project Eligibility Under the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program for FY 2023 if utilizing funds from an AMLER grant or the Guidance for Project Eligibility Under the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program for FY 2024 if utilizing funds from an AMLER payment.