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Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program

Congress has appropriated funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program (also 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 grants and guidance on project eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

AMLER Funding

Consistent with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260), OSMRE has notified eligible states and Tribes that FY 2021 AMLER funding is available. The FY 2021 AMLER Program will provide grants 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, 2020 and the three tribes with AML Programs. Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are each allocated $25 million; Alabama, Kentucky, and Virginia are each allocated $10 million; while the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and Crow Tribe are each allocated $3.33 million.

Appropriated AMLER Funding (Millions of Dollars)

Appropriated AMLER Funding (Millions of Dollars). This figure shows a bar chart with the AMLER funds appropriated for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, FY 2017, FY 2018, FY 2019, FY 2020, and FY 2021. For FY 2016, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were each appropriated $30 million for a total of $90 million. For FY 2017, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were each appropriated $25 million and Alabama, Ohio, and Virginia were each appropriated $10 million for a total of $105 million. For FY 2018, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were each appropriated $25 million; Alabama, Ohio, and Virginia were each appropriated $10 million; and the Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe, and Navajo Nation were each appropriated $3.33 million for a total of $115 million. For FY 2019, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were each appropriated $25 million; Alabama, Ohio, and Virginia were each appropriated $10 million; and the Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe, and Navajo Nation were each appropriated $3.33 million for a total of $115 million. For FY 2020, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were each appropriated $25 million; Alabama, Ohio, and Virginia were each appropriated $10 million; and the Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe, and Navajo Nation were each appropriated $3.33 million for a total of $115 million. For FY 2021, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were each appropriated $25 million; Alabama, Kentucky, and Virginia were each appropriated $10 million; and the Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe, and Navajo Nation were each appropriated $3.33 million for a total of $115 million.

 

General AMLER Process

AML Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Process. Step 1: Congress announces annual AMLER funding as part of annual Appropriation Law. Step 2: OSMRE informs eligible state/tribes that whey will receive AMLER funds and allocations are made to each state/tribe. Step 3: State/Tribe works with partners to compile and assess 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 for OSMRE to complete a NEPA analysis. Step 7: OSMRE reviews environmental information and issues a NEPA decision document (ROD or FONSI). Step 8: State/Tribe submits a request for OSMRE’s Authorization to Proceed (ATP). Step 9: OSMRE reviews ATP request and issues ATP approval. Step 10: State/Tribe spends AMLER funds on construction. Step 11: State/Tribe reports on performance measures for Annual AMLER Report and Annual Grant Report. Step 12: AMLER project completed. Note: Step 11: State/Tribe reports on performance measures for Annual AMLER Report and Annual Grant Report, continues after the project is completed.

Guidance on Project Eligibility

View the Guidance for Project Eligibility Under the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program for FY 2021. This document provides an overview of AMLER and eligibility requirements for AMLER projects. It also includes information regarding real property and reporting requirements that apply to AMLER projects from all fiscal years.

Submission of Project Applications

AMLER project applications are submitted to state/Tribal AML Programs. For more information, see the links below.
Alabama Kentucky Ohio
Pennsylvania Virginia West Virginia
Crow Tribe Hopi Tribe Navajo Nation

Status of the AMLER Program and Projects

Refer to the report on the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program/AML Pilot Program for FY 2016 – FY 2019 for information on the status of the program and specific projects.

    Archived Documents

    The most recent Guidance Document (FY 2021) and the most recent AMLER Report (FY 2016-2019) also apply to all previous years of the AMLER Program. However, previous versions of these documents are linked below for historical context.

    AMLER Guidance:

    AMLER Reports: 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    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 16). For continuity with older documents (e.g. reports and guidance prior to FY 21), 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. 116-260 - pages 308-309). Your state/Tribal AML program will announce when applications can be submitted.