Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

ABANDONED MINE LANDS:

A DECADE OF PROGRESS 

RECLAIMING HARDROCK MINES

Publication date: September 2007

Forest Service Publication Number: FS-891

BLM Publication Number: BLM-WO-GI-07-013-3720

Bureau of Land Management: http://www.blm.gov/aml

Forest Service: http://www.fs.fed.us/geology/aml-index.htm
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

James M. Hughes

Bureau of Land Management, 

Acting Director

Abigail R. Kimball

Forest Service Chief

It is with great enthusiasm and appreciation that we celebrate 10 years of hardrock abandoned mine lands (AML) program 

success addressing the impacts of abandoned mines on public lands. Over the last decade, the U.S. Department of 

the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service 

hardrock AML programs have grown and matured through the dedication and hard work of many people. As Federal 

land management agencies, our success comes through the strength of our commitment to Cooperative Conservation 

principles, and the transparency, accountability and innovation that occurs through the exchange of ideas and ongoing 

dialogue with partners. 

The BLM and Forest Service hardrock AML programs operate to improve the quality of public lands placed in our care 

through similar missions:

To mitigate hazards present at abandoned mine sites; 

To restore watersheds for natural resources; and

To protect public health and safety, recreation, fi sh, and wildlife. 

We implement a risk-based approach to encourage watershed-wide cleanups that leverage resources through 

collaboration with other stakeholders. We also work to mitigate hazards at AML-affected watersheds in western, arid 

climates where water is scarce and the need to improve water quality for human and aquatic resources use is critical. 

Addressing AML impacts is becoming increasingly important as more and more people choose to live near and recreate in 

our public lands.

We have expanded our outreach efforts to increase awareness and educate the public about the serious dangers that 

exist at abandoned mine sites. We improved our information and technology transfer through avenues such as our newly 

redesigned Web sites (see http://www.blm.gov/aml and http://www.fs.fed.us/geology/aml-index.htm) and project highlights. 

In addition, we continue to work with the commercial sector, such as off-highway vehicle distributors, to increase education 

and awareness as more remote sites are being developed and accessed for recreation.

We are committed to fostering innovation and work closely with our Federal, State, tribal, and non-governmental partners 

to address the highest priority sites fi rst. Together, we coordinate lessons learned and share best practices to integrate 

decision-making, improve accountability, and advance cleanup technologies across agency programs.

As we look to the future we know there is still work to be done. We renew our commitment to address high-risk and 

high-priority abandoned mine sites to protect public health and safety. We will cultivate existing relationships and pursue 

additional partnerships to further reduce risks and liabilities, share information and ideas, and leverage additional funding. 

Furthermore, we will seek out new and innovative means to implement sustainable mining practices.

•

•

•

A Word From the BLM and the Forest Service
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

The BLM AML Program Mission 

To support core BLM programs by addressing degraded water 

quality, hazardous materials, and other environmental impacts on 

or affecting lands administered by the BLM, and to mitigate physical 

safety hazards of abandoned mine sites on public lands.

The Forest Service AML Program Mission

To minimize the environmental, human health, and safety hazards at 

abandoned mines, while preserving the historic and wildlife habitat 

resources that they provide.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Table of Contents

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................................

The Impact of Abandoned Hardrock Mine Lands on America’s Landscape.................................................................................

The Challenge of Reclaiming Abandoned Mine Lands................................................................................................................

Benefi ts of Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation..........................................................................................................................

Program History..............................................................................................................................................................................

Early Efforts To Address AML Sites..............................................................................................................................................

The BLM and the Forest Service Launch AML Programs in 1997...............................................................................................

Pilot Success..................................................................................................................................................................................

Animas River Watershed..............................................................................................................................................................

Boulder River Watershed.............................................................................................................................................................

Cottonwood Wash Watershed ..................................................................................................................................................... 

Progress Through Collaboration..................................................................................................................................................

Forming Innovative Partnerships To Clean Up Private Lands......................................................................................................

Improving Public Safety and Water Quality by Collaborating With State Agencies .....................................................................

Partnering on Voluntary Cleanups...............................................................................................................................................

Ensuring Continued Collaboration...............................................................................................................................................

Restoring the Environment...........................................................................................................................................................

Returning Life To Dead Lakes and Streams................................................................................................................................ 

Using Innovative Cleanup Methods.............................................................................................................................................

Restoring Watersheds and Protecting Endangered Species....................................................................................................... 

Continuing To Protect the Environment........................................................................................................................................

Ensuring Public Health and Safety...............................................................................................................................................

Protecting Human Uses of Water.................................................................................................................................................

Making Recreation the Future of Former Mining Sites................................................................................................................. 

Addressing Mine Closures........................................................................................................................................................... 

Protecting Public Health and Safety Into the Future....................................................................................................................

Improving Quality of Life...............................................................................................................................................................

Increasing Community Pride Through Reclamation Efforts.........................................................................................................

Building Capacity To Further Environmental Progress.................................................................................................................

Supporting a Local Economy Through Reclamation....................................................................................................................

Helping Communities To Turn the Tide........................................................................................................................................

Looking Forward............................................................................................................................................................................

Enhancing Site Inventories and Prioritizing Reclamation Projects .............................................................................................. 

Leveraging Resources and Results Through Cooperation and Partnership................................................................................

Transferring Technological Innovations To Ensure Effective and Effi cient AML Site Cleanups....................................................

Solving the Long-Term AML Problem Through Prevention and Sustainable Practices................................................................

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

8

8

12

16

20

20

21

21

22

23

23

24

25

25

26

26

26

27

28

29

29

30

30

31

32

32

32

33

33

1
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

INTRODUCTION 

The Impact of Abandoned Hardrock Mine Lands on America’s Landscape

The historic mining of hardrock minerals such as gold, lead, copper, silver, and uranium was a powerful incentive for 

exploration and settlement of the American West. Mineral development often provided the economic base on which 

many remote communities were established. However, when ore bodies were mined out and miners left to fi nd new 

deposits, they often left behind a legacy of abandoned mines, structures, safety hazards, and contaminated land and 

water.

Today, approximately 47,000 abandoned mine sites have been identifi ed on more than 450 million acres of Federal 

land managed by the BLM and the Forest Service. An estimated 20 to 30 percent of these mines have dangerous human 

safety hazards such as open mine shafts and adits, deadly gas and lack of oxygen, as well as unstable explosives and 

toxic chemicals. As many as 10 percent may be releasing toxic heavy 

metals, acidity, and radioactivity into rivers, lakes, and streams from 

underground and open pit mines, waste rock storage, and mill tailings 

facilities. 

Currently, more than 63 million people live in the West and this 

number is increasing. More than 22 million people live within 25 

miles of public lands in the West. Once remote sites are becoming 

ever closer to new population centers. In the Eastern United States, 

abandoned coal mines on National Forest System lands pose similar 

hazards to an even greater number of people. There is a strong 

emphasis on the cleanup of abandoned mining sites due in part to this 

increased exposure.

2

Ten years ago, the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of 

Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Forest Service embarked on mutual efforts to address the 

impacts of hardrock abandoned mine lands (AML). Although both 

DOI and USDA have coordinated with States to clean up abandoned 

coal mines under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation 

Act (SMCRA) of 1977, the need for a national strategy to address 

abandoned hardrock mines was the driving force behind both 

agencies initiating AML programs. Since 1997, these AML programs 

have addressed physical and environmental hazards at thousands 

of abandoned hardrock mines. Through cooperative efforts, the BLM 

and Forest Service have learned lessons about the complexities 

and obstacles associated with cleaning up these sites. The 

purposes of this report are threefold: 1) to shed light on abandoned 

mining sites and their impacts on public lands; 2) to highlight the 

accomplishments of the BLM, the Forest Service, and project 

partners in addressing AML problems; and 3) to describe the outlook 

for future AML reclamation efforts. Examples throughout the report 

offer insight into the environmental, health, safety, and economic 

effects often associated with these sites and illustrate the lasting and 

Acid mine drainage leaching from the positive impacts of reclamation activities on formerly mined lands. Mozart Mine in Colorado.

Recreational vehicles in the California Desert District.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

The Challenge 

of Reclaiming 

AMLs

The cost of 

reclaiming 

a single 

abandoned 

mine may range 

from tens of 

thousands of 

dollars to tens 

of millions of 

dollars depending 

on size, location, 

the nature of 

contamination present, and 

the resources that are affected. 

Aside from the safety hazards 

and environmental 

contamination that 

may exist, 

abandoned 

mines can 

also be signifi cant 

cultural and historic 

resources and habitat for bats and 

other wildlife. Protecting these resources 

makes mitigation and cleanup more costly 

at these sites. 

Currently no single source of funding, whether it be Federal, State, tribal, or private, is adequate on its own to address 

the magnitude of the problem that exists. To remediate a particular site, the BLM and Forest Service may work with 

Federal, State, and private partners who are able to apply funding from a variety of programs and authorities, including 

SMCRA; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); and the Clean 

Water Act Grant Program.

Benefi ts of AML Reclamation

Although the work is costly and diffi cult, the benefi ts of cleaning up abandoned mine lands make the effort worthwhile. 

Onsite soil and water quality is often returned to premining conditions. Visitors to public lands are protected from health 

and safety hazards. Nearby communities enjoy cleaner water, a more diverse and healthy economy, and a better quality 

of life. Habitat for plants and wildlife is restored, and the aesthetics for both visitors and residents who live nearby are 

improved. 

This report demonstrates how the BLM and the Forest Service’s AML programs are achieving these and other benefi ts 

with the support and help of many stakeholders at the local, State, and Federal levels. With further support, the BLM 

and Forest Service will continue their abandoned mine programs that restore natural resources, protect public health and 

safety, and improve the quality of life for nearby communities and visitors to public lands.

3

National Forest System Lands

BLM Lands

Known Forest Service AML Sites

Known BLM AML Sites
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

Early Efforts To Address AML Sites

In the beginning, the sheer number of abandoned mining 

sites in the United States was daunting, with estimates 

ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. 

To determine the extent of the problem, the BLM and the 

Forest Service began to inventory abandoned mines in the 

early 1990s. Built on inventory data previously compiled 

by other Federal, State, and tribal entities, the effort focused 

on hardrock and noncoal abandoned mines and produced 

estimates of approximately 65,000 BLM sites and 39,000 

Forest Service sites. 

In 1994, an interagency task force was formed consisting 

of Federal land management agencies, including the BLM, 

the Forest Service, the National Park Service (NPS), and 

DOI science bureaus, including the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS) and the former Bureau of Mines. Known as the 

Interdepartmental Watershed Cleanup Initiative, this task 

force worked closely with the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) to develop a “watershed approach” for the 

cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines on public lands. 

This approach focused on working within the geographic 

boundaries of a watershed with partners (including 

applicable Federal, State, private, and tribal entities) to 

jointly resolve problems that affect the physical, chemical, 

and biological quality of that watershed. The goals of 

the watershed approach are to foster coordination and 

collaboration across Federal and State agencies, facilitate 

solutions to address mixed ownership issues on sites within 

watersheds, address important problem sites fi rst, and reduce 

costs through fund leveraging and avoiding duplication of 

efforts and confl icting actions.

In 1997, two top priority watersheds were selected as pilot 

projects for remediation: 

The Upper Animas River watershed in southwestern 

Colorado

The Boulder River watershed in western Montana

These watersheds were chosen based on criteria that 

included: the interest and participation of State offi cials, 

availability of existing data on ore bodies, mining 

history, existing AML sites, water quality, heavy metal 

concentrations, geologic conditions, Federal land partners, 

extent of Federal lands in the watershed, and cleanup 

•

•

Federal land management agencies, such as 

the BLM and the Forest Service, are charged 

with managing the public lands in their care, 

including those disturbed by past mineral 

extraction activities. Throughout the 1990s, 

awareness of the environmental, human 

health, and safety risks posed by abandoned 

hardrock mines was growing along with the 

realization that a unifi ed Federal approach to 

the problem was needed. 

A former mill in the Boulder Basin of Idaho’s 

Sawtooth National Forest.

PROGRAM HISTORY

4 Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

work already in progress. In consultation with the EPA, interagency preparation began to compile data and watershed 

information that would build on ongoing work in the Upper Animas River and complementary efforts (e.g., site 

inventory work) in Montana.

The BLM and the Forest Service Launch AML Programs in 1997

Riding the momentum of the interagency AML initiatives, 

the BLM and the Forest Service launched formal AML 

programs in 1997. The positive results of early AML 

initiative partnerships and commitment to reclamation 

efforts in these two pilot watersheds eventually led to 

Federal funds that were specifi cally directed at AML 

programs. In 1997, Congress appropriated $1 million to 

the BLM for work in the Animas and Boulder watersheds. 

In 1998, the BLM’s appropriation increased to $3 million 

and the Forest Service was appropriated $4.6 million 

for the watershed initiative. This funding allowed AML 

programs to expand to include a third top priority pilot in 

1998, the Cottonwood Wash watershed in southeastern 

Utah. Since then, the BLM and the Forest Service have continued to fund the cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines 

using a variety of approaches that are designed to meet multiple objectives, including addressing physical safety hazards, 

as well as hazardous substances and nonhazardous sources of pollution and contamination.

Between 2000 and mid year FY 2007, the BLM:

Inventoried 5,500 sites. In addition, took 

mitigation actions at safety hazards at 

many of these sites;

Remediated physical safety hazards at 

more than 3,000 sites; and

Restored water quality at 281 sites 

through FY 2003 and at more than 3,000 

acres since FY 2004.

•

•

•

Completed

In Progress

Planned

No Action Required

12%

31%

23%

34%

Status of Known BLM AML Sites (as of June 2007)

5

A contractor sealing a Cottonwood adit.

CERCLA provides broad Federal authority 

to mitigate contamination from the release of 

hazardous substances. CERCLA also authorizes 

Federal agencies to recover cleanup costs from 

persons responsible for the release of hazardous 

substances. The law authorizes removal actions 

to reduce pollution on an interim basis, and longterm remedial actions that are intended to result 

in permanent cleanups.

CERCLA Authorities

Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

Program History

Since 1998, the Forest Service has:

Inventoried 20,000 sites;

Mitigated more than 2,000 AML safety hazards; 

and 

Cleaned up hazardous substances at more than 

400 abandoned mines, with 150 hazardous 

substance cleanups in process.

Abandoned mine lands are now at the forefront of 

reclamation issues and more visible due to Federal 

abandoned mine programs and active participation of 

grass-roots organizations such as Trout Unlimited and 

the Animas River Stakeholders Group. These groups 

•

•

•

Accomplishments at Forest Service AML Sites

(as of May 2007)

2000

2,000

1,800

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

400

Cleanups

Completed

Safety

Features Mitigated

Historical Milestones in Prioritization and Cleanup of Hardrock AML Sites in the United States

6

PROGRAM

Other Federal, State, and 

tribal entities conduct AML site 

inventory efforts

•

1992 1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1969 1987

LEGISLATION

Enactment of:

National Environmental

Policy Act (1969)

Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act (1976)

Clean Water Act and

SMCRA (1977)

CERCLA (1980)

Executive Order 12580 (1987)

•

•

•

•

•

PARTNERSHIP

Federal Mining 

Dialogue 

established 

•

PROGRAM

Colorado and Montana pilot 

watersheds selected

Congress appropriates initial BLM 

funding for pilot program

BLM and Forest Service shift from 

pilot efforts to national programs

•

•

•

LEGISLATION

Congress enacts Wyden 

Amendment authority allowing BLM 

and Forest Service to enter into 

cooperative agreements

•

PROGRAM

BLM and Forest Service 

initiate inventory of AML 

sites

•

INITIATIVE

Watershed approach 

developed for 

addressing abandoned 

and inactive mines

•

INITIATIVE

Interdepartmental AML 

Watershed Cleanup 

Initiative established 

•

PARTNERSHIP

Western Mine 

Restoration Partnership 

established 

•

PROGRAM

Utah pilot 

watershed 

selected

Congress 

appropriates 

initial Forest 

Service 

funding for 

pilot program

•

•
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

actively support watershed initiatives and provide 

much needed resources, including education, 

awareness, and volunteer labor during reclamation 

projects. 

Land and resource management agencies are 

faced with evaluating risks associated with 

thousands of potentially harmful mine sites, and 

this level of effort is not always feasible for every 

affected watershed. The detailed work described 

in this report can help Federal land management 

agencies decide which characterization efforts 

would be most useful in the characterization 

of other affected watersheds. Although there is 

more to do, AML programs have demonstrated 

continued success through leveraged funding, 

strong partnerships, and innovative methods to 

address abandoned mine lands.

7

1999

2000 2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

INITIATIVE

The Mine Safety and 

Health Administration 

launches the “Stay OutStay Alive” initiative 

•

PROGRAM

• Utah Cottonwood Wash reclamation completed 

INITIATIVE

• Cooperative Conservation initiative launched

PARTNERSHIP

Federal Mine-Scarred Lands Revitalization 

Working Group established

Forest Service and Trout Unlimited establish a 

partnership

•

•

PUBLICATION

BLM publishes Cooperative Conservation 

Based Strategic Plan for the AML Program

•

PARTNERSHIP

Federal AML partnership established to 

develop the National Mine Lands Inventory

BLM coordinates with off-highway vehicle 

groups on safety issues

•

•

PROGRAM

Montana High 

Ore Creek 

reclamation 

completed

BLM activates 

AML site 

inventory 

database 

•

•

PROGRAM

BLM and Forest Service 

clean up more than 470 sites

•

PUBLICATION

EPA releases Policy 

on Joint Repositories 

at Mixed-Ownership 

Hardrock Mines

•

PUBLICATION

BLM and Forest 

Service publish 

Abandoned Mine 

Lands: A Decade 

of Progress 

Reclaiming 

Hardrock Mines

•

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted 

an AML Initiative in 1997-2001 to provide 

technical assistance in support of Federal Land 

Management Agency (FLMA) actions to remediate 

contamination associated with abandoned 

hardrock mining activities. The USGS supported 

assessment activities at the Boulder River and 

Animas River watersheds by inventorying historical 

mines, defi ning geological conditions, assessing 

and analyzing aquatic life and indicators of 

physiological stress, collecting and chemically 

analyzing water and sediment samples, and 

defi ning hydrological regimes. 

Scientifi c Support from

the U.S. Geological Survey 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

Pilot Profi le

Reaching across 186 square miles of 

Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the 

Animas River watershed is a place 

of rich mineral deposits, recreational 

opportunities, and historic interest. 

Communities that call the Animas 

home, like the town of Silverton, are 

transitioning from a once thriving mining 

industry to an economy based on tourism and recreation. The Animas 

River Stakeholders Group (ARSG) is assisting this transition through 

its efforts to address the environmental impacts of mining within this 

watershed, a high priority for restoration in the State of Colorado. 

COLORADO

Denver

Animas River Watershed

Animas River Watershed

8

PILOT SUCCESS

National Forest System Lands

BLM Lands

Mines

Known AML Sites

Durango

An mi as River

Junction Creek

He mr osa Creek

Cascade Creek

Little Creek

Silverton

Sunnyside Mine

Forest Queen Mine

Lackawanna Mill

Las An mi as R vi er

The Ecological Impacts of Historic Mining:

Over time, the impacts of contaminants 

including aluminum, cadmium, copper, iron, 

lead, and zinc emanating from historic mines 

and natural sources became environmentally 

and economically visible; acidity levels in the 

water rose to levels impairing many fi sheries 

and leaving some streams devoid of fi sh. 

Project stakeholders faced the challenge of 

improving water quality not only for the benefi t 

of local residents and aquatic life, but to 

ensure the well-being of the town’s tourist and 

recreational trades.

Impediments to Local Economic Prosperity:

The area served as a mineral-rich region for 

metal mining as far back as the late 1800s. 

When the Sunnyside Mine closed in 1991, 

more than 300 jobs were lost. Silverton and 

its surrounding communities have since relied 

primarily on the seasonal tourism industry, 

with the scenic narrow-gauge railroad 

between Durango and Silverton serving as 

its anchor by attracting train, history, and 

outdoor enthusiasts. Yet, lingering blight and 

environmental problems due to the area’s 

historic mining legacy have impeded efforts 

to fully capitalize on the Animas’ signifi cant 

opportunities for recreation, tourism, and 

business expansion.

Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Strategies for Environmental and Economic Restoration

Though barriers were encountered along the way, stakeholders were able to develop successful 

methods to reclaim the Animas River watershed.

Formulating a New Approach to Cleanup Through Collaborative Partnerships

While several mining-impacted communities have used the EPA Superfund 

designation to gain resources for complex and costly cleanup efforts, a broad 

group of partners—including the BLM and the Forest Service—formed the ARSG 

in 1994 to leverage the necessary expertise and resources for mine reclamation. 

In the early 1990s, the State conducted initial studies that revealed environmental 

contamination in the watershed—enough that EPA considered listing the area 

as a Superfund site. Concerns that this designation might impact the area’s 

transition to a tourist-based economy led to an alternative approach. The ARSG 

represents a volunteer collaborative effort to improve water quality and aquatic 

habitats in the watershed through assistance from mining companies, elected 

offi cials, local citizens, landowners, environmental groups, and State and Federal 

agencies. Because so many partners engaged in the project, EPA agreed not to take any formal Superfund action as long 

as reclamation was ongoing. The ARSG continues to demonstrate that a highly engaged, active, and patient stakeholder 

group can make critical progress toward cleanup and reclamation goals.

Identifying Priority Sites in a Large Watershed

Addressing abandoned mine lands within a watershed can be diffi cult due to the 

considerable size of the affected area. Through strategic planning, however, the 

ARSG partners were able to prioritize cleanup activities by characterizing the 

watershed to identify the most signifi cant contamination sources.

With approximately 1,500 former mining sites in the watershed, the ARSG 

partners, utilizing expertise from a number of State and Federal agencies, 

conducted an analysis of factors such as amount of each contaminant; physical 

attributes; accessibility to power; and proximity to streams, wetlands, and 

avalanche paths. Eventually, 400 sites were identifi ed as priorities. Further 

analysis revealed that 67 of these former mining sources accounted for 90 

percent of the metals contamination from mining sources. This comprehensive 

prioritization approach proved successful and led the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) 

to implement 27 realistic Total Maximum Daily Load standards based on partial remediation of the priority sites. 

Reclaiming Mine Sites With Mixed Ownership

Through collaboration among its Federal, State, and local partners, the ARSG overcame the types of complicated 

ownership issues that often prevent mining communities from reclaiming sites, such as diffi culty in identifying and 

engaging owners. 

Within the watershed, land ownership is mixed among Federal and private owners. The formation of the ARSG creates 

a forum for all property owners, remediation experts, and local community members to provide input into cleanup 

priorities and identify resources. This collaborative effort promotes an effective cleanup process by leveraging the best 

resources from each ARSG partner and avoiding a piecemeal approach to cleanup, which can be prohibitively expensive.

9

Recreational fi shing has

returned to the Animas.

A former mining structure near the Elk 

Tunnel Mill in Colorado.

Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

Leveraging Funding Through Partnerships

By forming partnerships during the reclamation process, project stakeholders collectively maximize and pool 

resources that would not have been readily available if only one entity was involved.

The partnerships formed through the ARSG allowed for the successful leveraging of more than $35 million for 

remediation activities and more than $3 million worth of in-kind volunteer support. Various partners including the 

BLM, Forest Service, State and local agencies, public interest groups, and mining industry representatives contributed 

much needed fi nancial resources to enable successful reclamation of the former mining sites in the watershed.

Project Results

Approximately 50 mining remediation projects, which addressed draining adit and waste site concerns, were 

successfully completed within the Animas River watershed. Of the completed projects, which includes the completion 

of remediation activities for 19 priority sites, mining companies addressed approximately one-half, Federal land 

management agencies addressed approximately one-quarter, and the ARSG addressed approximately one-quarter. The 

BLM has completed seven projects and the Forest Service has completed four. The community is reaping the benefi ts 

of these cleanup efforts, including overall increased water quality and two reproducing species of trout that did not 

exist before in downstream areas. This, in turn, is beginning to entice more visitors seeking recreation to the area.

Looking Forward

As the community continues to work together to address the remaining sites, the focus has begun to shift towards 

improving the economy by revitalizing a 2-mile stretch of the Animas River corridor through Silverton. The 

Brownfi elds Federal Partnership Mine-Scarred Lands Initiative—a collaboration among six Federal agencies including 

the BLM—assisted the community with outlining next steps for land cleanup and reuse activities and identifying 

the technical and fi nancial resources to implement them. This partnership recognizes the community’s value on 

tourism as it promotes aesthetic and quality-of-life improvements to the area. 

Through the collaborative efforts of the ARSG partners, signifi cant environmental and economic 

accomplishments have been made in the Animas River watershed. And as time goes on, 

more and more people will be able to appreciate the beauty and opportunity of an area 

whose mining legacy can now be defi ned in historical terms, rather than by negative 

environmental impacts.

Animas River Watershed Pilot Leveraged Funding*

Federal Government Agencies

Mining Industry

State Government Agencies

Public Interest Groups

Local Government Agencies

$16.8M $1.8M

$14.8M

$1.1M $0.4M

*Funding amounts (provided by BLM Colorado) are approximations as of March 2007

10

Pilot Success
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Animas River Project Partners

Federal Partners

Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

BLM

Bureau of Reclamation

EPA

Forest Service 

USGS

State Partners

CDPHE

Colorado Division of Mining 

Reclamation and Safety 

Colorado Division of Wildlife

Colorado River Watch

Local Agencies

City of Durango 

San Juan County Commissioners

San Juan County Historical Society 

San Juan Resource, Conservation 

and Development 

Southwestern Water Conservation 

District

Town of Silverton

Citizen Groups

Friends of the Animas River

River Watch Network, Inc. 

San Juan Citizens Alliance

Taxpayers for the Animas River

Western Colorado Congress

Private Entities

Alpine Environmental Services

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge 

Railroad

Gold King Mining Company

Mining Remedial Recovery Company

PanEnergy Corporation

Root and Norton Assayers

Salem Minerals, Inc.

Silver Wing Co., Inc.

Sunnyside Gold Company

Tusco, Inc.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Mining served as the backbone of San Juan County’s 

economy since the 1800s, holding a special place 

in residents’ lives. While the ARSG has focused on 

cleaning up the watershed, other community groups 

have focused on preserving mining relics, providing an 

opportunity for residents and tourists to relive history. 

Beverly Rich of the San Juan County Historical Society 

described her passion for mining history by stating, “My 

father and husband were miners and Silverton would not 

be here without mining. It is a part of our heritage that is 

quickly disappearing and so it needs to be preserved.” 

The BLM and Forest Service support historical 

preservation efforts by preserving historic elements 

during mine reclamation activities—for instance, helping 

to stabilize and preserve a facility that once housed 

miners working at the Old Hundred Mine. 

Community Impact

Preserving San Juan County’s Mining History

11

Stakeholders discussing future revitalization plans for the Animas River corridor.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

National Forest System Lands

BLM Lands

Mines

Known AML Sites

Pilot Profi le

Located in 

Jefferson County, 

Montana, the 90-

square-mile Boulder 

River watershed is 

home to 22 miles of 

stream. As surrounding 

communities transitioned 

to an economy based on agriculture, tourism, and 

recreation, stakeholders needed to work together to 

design a cleanup approach that would not only restore 

recreational fi shing in the area, but protect the health and 

safety of area residents.

Boulder River Watershed

Helena

MONTANA

Boulder River Watershed

Cataract Creek

Jack Creek

Basin Creek

Boulder River High Ore Creek

Bullion Mine

Basin Creek

Mine

Comet

Mine

Luttrell Pit Buckeye - Enterprise

Mine - Mill

Basin

12

Pilot Success

The Ecological Impacts of Historic Mining:

Primarily at fi shing sites and campgrounds, 

recreational users have considerable access to the 

Upper Boulder and East Boulder Rivers. More than 

80 years of mining gold, silver, lead, copper, and 

zinc left a legacy of degraded water quality from 

the heavy metals in mine waste and mill tailings, 

contaminated water supplies in local communities, 

and the drastic reduction or complete elimination 

of fi sh populations as far as 55 miles downstream. 

Surrounding communities faced the challenge of 

reversing this damage to improve water quality and 

restore impacted fi sh populations.

Impediments to Local Economic Prosperity: 

During times of mining prosperity, the Town of 

Basin’s population reached as high as 8,000. 

Today, Basin has as few as 220 residents as a 

result of closing mining operations. Spurred by 

a transitioning economy and impacts to local 

drinking water supplies, area stakeholders took 

action to improve water quality, restore local fi sh 

populations, and improve public health and safety 

by addressing mining-impacted water supplies and 

contaminated land.

Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Strategies for Environmental and Economic Restoration

Given the challenges associated with the watershed’s location, stakeholders were able to develop 

solutions that increased overall project effi ciency.

Implementing a More Targeted Remediation Approach 

Since the effects of past mining activities can be spread across an expansive area, it 

is essential that the cleanup approach prioritize areas of higher contamination fi rst. 

In the Boulder Creek watershed, stakeholders, including the BLM and the Forest 

Service, utilized state of the art information collected by the USGS and others to 

create a more effi cient and focused remediation plan.

For example, in the High Ore Creek area of the watershed, the BLM and other 

stakeholders utilized X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, an analytical technique 

used to identify and determine the concentrations of elements present in solid, 

powdered, and liquid samples. This method greatly increased project effi ciency, 

allowed the remediation team to work side-by-side with the contractors excavating 

the material, and ultimately minimized the amount of soil and sediment requiring removal. The increased effi ciency was 

particularly important due to the geographic location of the area, which has a long winter and consequently a fairly short 

construction season. This approach was innovative at the time of remediation and is now a common method employed at 

AML sites across the country.

Collaboration as a Tool To Overcome Remediation Boundaries

When addressing contamination on 

abandoned mine lands, potential issues 

include mixed ownership and the question 

of where mining waste should be deposited 

during cleanup. In the Boulder River 

watershed, the BLM and the Forest Service 

developed a unique and effi cient approach 

that promoted the use of partnerships.

Within the Basin Creek area of the 

watershed, abandoned mine land 

ownership is divided among the BLM, 

the Forest Service, EPA, and the State of 

Montana, all of whom planned to move 

the area’s mining waste to individual 

repository areas. Through the use of 

collaborative partnerships, the partners 

drafted an agreement in 1999 that allowed 

them to use the Luttrell Pit, the fi rst 

regional joint mine waste repository in the 

United States. This innovative approach 

reduced costs and increased safety by requiring maintenance of only one large repository instead of many throughout 

the watershed. This project set precedents for the storage of abandoned mine waste by multiple Federal and State land 

management agencies and was a successful demonstration of addressing Superfund sites in the Western United States.

13

X-Ray Fluorescence in use.

Joint Repositories: A Model for Collaborative Cleanup

The Luttrell Pit was the 

fi rst regional joint mine 

waste repository to be 

established in the United 

States. This approach to 

disposing of mine wastes 

in a mixed-ownership 

watershed became a 

model for future mine 

reclamation projects, 

resulting in a multiagency agreement signed by EPA, the Forest 

Service, the BLM, and private and local partners for the Boulder 

River watershed cleanup. Individual agencies, including EPA 

and the BLM, subsequently developed policies to encourage 

partnerships with other agencies for establishing new joint 

waste repositories at other sites.

The Luttrell Pit.

Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

An Alternative to the National Priorities List

CERCLA provides the BLM, Forest Service, and EPA with legal 

authorities and access to funds that are not otherwise available to these 

agencies. One aspect of the CERCLA process, listing of an AML site 

on the National Priorities List (NPL) by EPA, may lead to benefi ts or 

drawbacks for a cleanup depending on the situation. While NPL listing 

provides access to EPA-administered Superfund resources, it also 

requires use of CERCLA remedial cleanup procedures that can be time 

consuming and limit the use of certain funds. 

High Ore Creek and the Comet Mine were excluded from the Basin 

Mining Area NPL site, allowing the BLM and the Montana Department 

of Environmental Quality to take the lead in cleaning up these areas using procedures and funding that allowed them 

to respond more quickly. The BLM used its authority under CERCLA to conduct non-time-critical removal actions at 

the Comet Mine to address the streamside tailings in High Ore Creek on a faster schedule than would have occurred 

if it had been included as part of the NPL site. To complete this project in June of 2000, the BLM spent approximately 

$2 million and collaborated with several State agencies on cleanup activities, including improving access roads, 

excavating and transporting approximately 40,000 cubic yards of mine waste, backfi lling the fl ood plain with topsoil, 

stabilizing streambanks by planting 5,000 native trees and shrubs, and constructing a streambed and two sediment 

ponds for settling out toxic chemicals. Fish sightings have been documented in wetlands and key fi shing locations 

where no fi sh were present prior to remediation.

Project Results

In addition to the BLM and State cleanup efforts in High Ore Creek, 

other characterization and cleanup actions have taken place in the 

Boulder River watershed. EPA spent approximately $4 million in 

cleanup activities on the Town of Basin in 2004, and approximately 

$3.4 million on cleanup activities at the Buckeye-Enterprise, 

Crystal, and Bullion Mines. The USGS completed its geochemical 

characterization of the drainage that was used to prioritize cleanup 

efforts at a cost of $3.2 million. The Forest Service spent $5 million 

using its CERCLA authority to conduct time-critical removal actions 

at the Buckeye-Enterprise, Bullion, Bullion Smelter, Hector, Lower 

Hector, Jack Creek, and Daly West mine and mill sites.

This unprecedented group of agencies—including the Montana 

Department of Environmental Quality, and local agencies and 

organizations—coordinated efforts to bring a watershed approach to 

fruition. In doing so, they enhanced the natural resources in the area 

and protected the residents of the Basin Creek area from exposure to 

contaminated water, sediment, and mine waste.

14

Stream side tailings impacting High Ore Creek.

Before

After

The Buckeye-Enterprise Mine.

Pilot Success
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Looking Forward

As project partners continue to monitor the effects of cleanup in the 

Boulder River watershed, they plan to address remaining sites within 

the Basin Creek area that contribute to contamination. Additionally, 

the Forest Service plans to begin work in the Cataract drainage area 

in 2008, with the goal of addressing all Basin Creek area sites located 

on National Forest System land by fall of 2009. Over the years, 

Federal and State agency partners have succeeded in addressing the 

area’s surface contamination, but they are still looking to develop a 

technological solution for acid mine drainage being released from 

underground mines. For example, in the High Ore Creek area, the 

waste materials and dumping grounds have been cleaned up, but 

contaminated water from underground mine tunnels still discharge 

into area streams. 

Thus far, the Boulder River watershed reclamation project has successfully demonstrated the effi ciency of approaches 

that use innovative cleanup methods and collaborative partnerships. Local communities continue to benefi t from the 

area’s environmental improvements, and the region’s recreational opportunities may increase in years to come. 

Boulder River Project Partners

Federal Partners

USACE

BLM

Bureau of Reclamation

EPA

Forest Service

USGS

State Partners

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

Private Entities

Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Schumaker Trucking and Excavating

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Prior to mining, the fi sheries in the drainages 

that make up the Boulder River watershed 

would have been optimal. Historic mining 

activities created an environment that few, if 

any, fi sh were able to survive. But as a result 

of initial reclamation efforts, fi sh species like 

the Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus 

clarki lewisi) have begun to return and 

increase in number. While it is still too early to 

know the extent of these recent water quality 

improvements on fi sh populations, project 

partners expect that eventually local species and 

recreational fi shing may once again thrive and 

the watershed could become a premier fi shery. 

Community Impact

The Return of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout 

15

Water quality monitoring activities in High Ore Creek.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

National Forest System Lands

BLM Lands

Mines

Known AML Sites

Pilot Profi le

Located in Jefferson County, 

Montana, the 90-square-mile Boulder 

River Watershed is home to 22 

miles of stream. As surrounding 

communities transitioned to an 

economy based on agriculture, 

tourism and recreation, stakeholders 

needed to work together to design a 

cleanup approach that would not only restore recreational 

fi shing in the area, but protect the health and safety of area 

residents.

Bullion Mine

Basin Creek

Mine

Comet

Luttrell Pit Buckeye - Enterprise

Mine - Mill

Basin

National Forest System Lands

BLM Lands

Mines

Known AML Sites

Bullion Mine

Basin Creek

Mine

Comet

Luttrell Pit Buckeye - Enterprise

Mine - Mill

Basin

National Forest System Lands

BLM Lands

Mines

Known AML Sites

The Ecological Impacts of a Mining Past:

After decades of vanadium and uranium mining, 

the waters and sediments in the watershed 

were left with elevated levels of radiation from 

mine drainage and waste dumps. Project 

partners faced the challenge of addressing 

this contamination, which impacted the use of 

local water for drinking, recreation, aquatic life, 

wildlife, grazing, and agriculture.

Impediments to Local Economic Prosperity:

Nationwide economic demands ranging from 

steel production to national defense drove 

the local vanadium and uranium mining 

industry and dictated the growth and decline 

of San Juan County’s economy. Although the 

local economy took a downturn after mining 

operations ceased, the community remains 

attached to its mining history.

Cottonwood Wash Watershed

Cottonwood Wash

Creek

Cottonwood Creek

Blanding

Allen Canyon

Hammond Canyon

Brushy Bas ni Wash

Payday

Mine

King James

Mine

Happy Jack

Mine

UTAH

Salt

Lake

City

Cottonwood

Wash Watershed

Pilot Profi le

Encompassing approximately 

143,000 acres in southeastern Utah’s 

San Juan County, the Cottonwood 

Wash watershed and its local 

community are closely intertwined 

with the mining history that defi nes 

them. National market demands for 

uranium and vanadium dictated the 

growth of the local economy, as 

well as its decline, for nearly nine 

decades. In an effort to improve water quality and protect 

the health and safety of the community, Federal and State 

agencies developed a collaborative reclamation strategy 

to address the area’s former mines while preserving the 

lure of local mining history.

16

Pilot Success

Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Strategies for Environmental and Economic Restoration

The Cottonwood Wash watershed area posed several challenges, but through the formation of 

collaborative partnerships, Federal and State agency partners were able to successfully complete 

remediation efforts.

Protecting the Local Community From Degraded Water Quality 

The Technical Committee, comprised of Federal and State partners, 

focused on radioactive minerals impairing the watershed in conjunction 

with developing an effi cient reclamation plan to address the physical 

safety hazards left behind as reminders of the local mining history.

Results of an inventory conducted in the late 1990s revealed dangerous 

levels of radon emissions in mine openings and elevated radiation levels 

in waterways caused by sediment, heavy metals, and uranium particles 

from mine waste dumps. This contamination affected drinking water, 

recreation, wildlife, grazing, and agriculture. The Technical Committee 

developed a reclamation approach that mitigated the area’s physical and 

environmental hazards in one step: portions of uranium mine dumps 

located in stream channels were removed and used as backfi ll material for 

hazardous openings and face-up areas. 

Stimulating the Local Economy Through a Reclamation Strategy

Most former mining communities are left with weakened economies once 

mining activities cease. The Technical Committee took a twofold approach 

to assisting the local community not only through cleanup efforts, but by 

bolstering the local economy as part of its reclamation strategy.

As the demand for local vanadium and uranium ore dwindled to near 

nonexistence, mining operations shut down in the area, negatively impacting 

the local economy. In efforts to stimulate the local economy, the BLM and 

the Forest Service recognized the importance of dividing project construction 

work—which included closing off mine openings and removing waste dumps—

into seven phases over 5 years. This allowed small and local contractors to bid 

on projects, benefi ting the local economy, increasing competition, and reducing overall project costs. Ultimately, three 

local companies were selected to conduct the construction work, which returned $800,000 to the local economy.

Preserving Local Mining History During Reclamation 

Many former mining communities become worried about losing a part of 

their identity during reclamation. Partners such as the BLM and the Forest 

Service were sensitive to these concerns and made every attempt to include 

the local community in the planning process.

When reclamation discussions were initiated in the Cottonwood Wash area, 

the community felt protective of the mining structures they felt represented 

their livelihood, history, and community. By working with local residents, 

17

Closing one of many mine openings in the 

Cottonwood Wash area.

Payday mine circa 1960.

Photo by Patsy Shumway

Upper reaches of Cottonwood Wash.

Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

The Four Corners area in the southwestern United States attracts sightseers from far and wide every 

year to explore the ruins of early Native American civilizations. The Cottonwood Wash area, fi rst 

inhabited by the people of the Puebloan Culture, is rich in artifacts; potsherds and other remnants from 

almost 7,000 years of human inhabitants are apparent with nearly every turn of a shovel. Historic relics 

of the area’s mining legacy are also scattered throughout Cottonwood Wash. Notably, some of Madam 

Curie’s early radiation experiments were possible due to the samples she reportedly collected from 

the area. Additionally, vanadium and uranium from Cottonwood Wash supported the Nation’s steel and 

atomic endeavors.

Pilot Success

18

the Technical Committee found a balance between keeping the 

community safe from elevated radiation levels and hazardous 

mine openings and allowing them to hold on to their memories. 

A cultural survey and inventory was conducted, and included 

the collection of oral histories from area residents. These efforts, 

supported by the BLM and the Forest Service, contributed to 

three issues of Blue Mountain Shadows magazine, dedicated to 

the mining history and reclamation efforts in the Cottonwood 

Wash watershed.

Project Results

Reclamation activities included sealing 219 adits and shafts, removing 39 hazardous structures, plugging 225 drill 

holes, and removing more than 250 waste dumps. These activities—in addition to approximately $2 million leveraged 

from the BLM, Forest Service, and the State of Utah—allowed the Technical Committee to protect and benefi t the local 

community, while acknowledging the area’s mining history. The partnerships formed during this reclamation project 

were critical to its success and led to continued reclamation efforts in the State of Utah.

Looking Forward

Although reclamation activities are complete in the Cottonwood Wash area, additional efforts are ongoing to 

ensure that the mining history so treasured by the local community is not lost. An onsite informational kiosk and 

an educational pamphlet are being developed, both of which will explain the mining history and reclamation work 

completed in the watershed. Prior to sign installation, an environmental assessment must be conducted to ensure that 

no additional negative environmental impacts result. 

By directly addressing the environmental, economic, and cultural needs of the local community, the Technical 

Committee has achieved success in the Cottonwood Wash watershed. And as reclamation efforts move forward in other 

areas of Utah, this former mining community can continue to celebrate the positive infl uences of the mining industry 

without concern for environmental impacts for years to come. 

Engineer McBride at the Kimmerle mill circa 1944.

Photo by David Kimmerle

Understanding the Historic and Prehistoric Importance of Cottonwood Wash
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Cottonwood Wash Project Partners

Federal Partners

BLM

Forest Service 

State Partners

Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining

Utah Division of Water Quality

Local Agencies

San Juan County Historical Commission

Private Entities

Crowley Construction

KSUE Corporation

VCM Construction

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

19

Community Impact

Remembering the Local Mining History 

Dating back to the early 1900s, vanadium and 

uranium mining was more than just a job to many 

locals, it was a way of life that defi ned who they 

were. Fathers and sons would work side-by-side 

down in the mine shafts. Young boys would run 

around searching for arrowheads that provided a 

glimpse into the area’s prehistoric past. Former 

miner Cleal Bradford recalled, “My fi rst experience 

with the Cottonwood mines was when my father was 

working as foreman of the Blanding mines. During 

the Second World War I would go with him as a 

youngster and be out around and about. I didn’t do 

any mining at that time. But I did travel with him out 

and spend the day exploring and doing other things 

while he would be involved.” Through an oral history 

collection effort supported by the BLM; the Forest 

Service; Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining; 

and the San Juan County Historical Commission, 

the community was able to memorialize personal 

mining experiences like these in three issues of Blue 

Mountain Shadows magazine. 

Cover of the fi rst issue of Blue Mountain 

Shadows magazine dedicated to mining in the 

Cottonwood Wash area.

Photo by Colleen Black Hawks
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

Forming Innovative Partnerships To Clean Up Private Lands

Addressing contamination on AMLs can be a costly process 

for Federal and State agencies that often have limited 

resources, making leveraging support a critical part of 

the process. In Utah’s American Fork Canyon, valuable 

partnerships were formed with nonprofi t and private entities 

that provided needed technical and fi nancial support.

Migrating from the Pacifi c Mine Site in American Fork 

Canyon, water with lead concentrations 10 times higher than 

the Federal Clean Water Act standard was harming fi sh like 

the native Bonneville Cutthroat Trout in the American Fork 

watershed. After signifi cant progress toward the cleanup of 

six sites within the American Fork Canyon, the Forest Service 

found itself at an impasse because two of the former mining 

sites were owned by Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and 

beyond the agency’s jurisdiction. Through negotiations with 

EPA, Trout Unlimited, a nonprofi t organization dedicated 

to conserving and protecting fi shing areas, obtained an 

Administrative Order of Consent that limited long-term 

liability and provided the legal authorization for cleanup work 

on private land. Diamond retailer Tiffany & Co. provided 

$50,000 a year through a conservation fund, and in 2006 

awarded Trout Unlimited a $450,000 grant for additional 

watershed restoration efforts. The collaborations formed 

among Trout Unlimited, the Forest Service, EPA, Snowbird, 

and Tiffany & Co., proved integral to the cleanup of the mine 

tailings on privately owned land affecting the American Fork 

watershed. The project has since been recognized by EPA and 

the State of Utah for its success. 

Communication and collaboration among project partners are essential to overcoming the complexities 

of restoring abandoned mine lands. Not only can formerly mined lands be large enough to stretch 

over multiple jurisdictions, but their contaminant runoff can also affect streams, watersheds, individual 

landowners, and communities far beyond a site’s actual borders. For a single agency or organization with 

limited resources, it is often impossible to carry out effective restoration activities without partners.

The BLM and the Forest Service recognize that collaborative partnerships are essential to increasing 

effi ciency and enhancing resources in AML restoration projects. As part of its ongoing policy of 

cooperative conservation, the BLM works with the Forest Service to apply a “Service First” approach to 

AML program coordination. Examples of this approach range from joint fi eld operations on specifi c AML 

sites, technical training, and development of shared policies and strategies. The examples provided in 

this section demonstrate the success that results from partnerships among the BLM, the Forest Service, 

and other entities that complement each other’s efforts, are open and communicative, and indicate a 

willingness to work with all stakeholders.

20

Before

After

The Pacifi c Mine in Utah.

PROGRESS THROUGH COLLABORATION
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Improving Public Safety and Water Quality by Collaborating With State Agencies 

Partnering with State agencies provides Federal land management 

agencies with additional resources for addressing not only safety, 

but environmental concerns on abandoned mine lands. By working 

with State agencies, industry, private fi rms, and diverse volunteers 

in Nevada and Washington State, BLM has made great strides in 

transforming AML sites into safer and healthier environments for 

humans and wildlife to enjoy.

With approximately 25 fatalities in the United States related 

to abandoned mines every year, these sites can pose imminent 

danger to humans and animals. According to the Nevada 

Division of Minerals estimates, the State of Nevada has more 

abandoned mining sites than all other Western States combined 

—approximately 200,000 to 300,000 sites. To remove the threats 

these mines pose, the BLM Nevada State Offi ce formed a partnership with the Nevada Division of Minerals and the 

Nevada Mining Association in 1999 to permanently close abandoned mines. The Abandoned Mines Permanent Closure 

Program uses fences, warning signs, and, most effectively, seals mine openings with bat gates, expanding foam, and 

backfi ll to prevent access and exposure to associated hazards, including falls into openings, rotten timbers, bats, toxic air, 

and forgotten explosives. In its fi rst year, the program closed six mines. In 2006, the program set a national BLM record 

of 118 abandoned mine closures. Additional volunteers have come forward to provide support for the program, including 

university researchers and graduate students, professional archaeologists, Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts, and prospecting 

clubs. The program now serves as a model for other States looking to address their own hazardous, abandoned mining 

sites through closure. 

In Washington, BLM partnered with the Washington State Department 

of Ecology to reclaim land impacted by the Cleveland Mine and Mill 

site in Stevens County, Washington. Mills adjacent to Hunters Creek had 

discharged contaminated tailings directly into the creek or into tailings 

ponds constructed directly in the creek’s stream channel. To address 

these environmental concerns, BLM worked with the Washington State 

Department of Ecology to restore two saturated tailings areas a quarter of 

a mile downstream of the site. Reclamation activities included removing 

most of the saturated tailings in the stream channel to repositories, 

armoring the channel and repositories with cabled concrete blocks to 

reduce erosion, restoring the stream’s natural meander, capping the 

repositories and constructing French drains around them to divert water 

away, and revegetating the site with grass and trees. 

Partnering on Voluntary Cleanups

Involving parties that are potentially responsible for contamination on former mining sites can be challenging. But when 

these parties agree to address any remaining environmental issues, an ideal situation can result that avoids litigation for 

all stakeholders, which was the case in Colorado’s Bonanza Mining District.

The approximately 30-square-mile Bonanza Mining District was home to intermittent mining operations between the 

1890s and 1970s. This caused an 18-mile stretch of Kerber Creek to become devoid of aquatic life decades before 

restoration work began in 1994. In response to potential CERCLA litigation, the remaining fi ve potentially responsible 

parties formed the Bonanza Group and signed an offi cial voluntary cleanup agreement with CDPHE. This was an 

21

Reclamation work underway at the Cleveland 

Mine site in Washington.

Members of the 2005 backfi ll team in Southern Nevada 

during a week of intense AML shaft backfi lling.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

innovative arrangement at the time, taking place before the 

State’s own voluntary cleanup program emerged. CDPHE signed 

a memorandum of understanding with the Forest Service to 

jointly oversee cleanup, and EPA agreed to put any Superfund 

designation of the area on hold pending cleanup results.

The cleanup effort began only 16 months after the formation 

of the Bonanza Group, and has led to aquatic life, including 

fi sh, returning to the formerly dead section of Kerber Creek. 

To complement this effort, EPA provided nearly $300,000 to 

CDPHE to clean up orphaned mining sites just outside the 

Bonanza Mining area and the BLM began to address additional 

abandoned mining sites in the region. 

Ensuring Continued Collaboration

The last 10 years of the BLM and the Forest Service’s AML 

programs have provided countless lessons learned and 

confi rmations about the value of partnerships and cooperation. As 

part of their continued efforts to collaborate with other partners, 

both agencies play key roles in the Federal Mining Dialogue, 

which provides a forum for coordinating and building upon 

AML-related approaches among participating Federal agencies.

The BLM entered into a Statement of Mutual Intent agreement with the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land 

Programs, an association of States and tribes with AML programs. Under this agreement, members agree to collaborate 

and communicate with each other, share abandoned mine data, and encourage efforts to establish and implement 

effective partnerships with other organizations to increase the awareness of abandoned mine problems nationwide. 

In 1998, the Forest Service established a formal partnership agreement with Trout Unlimited, which developed the 

institutional framework for volunteer opportunities in restoration, education, and research activities on Forest Service 

lands and developed 44 State-specifi c partnership agreements.

Partnerships like these help keep lines of communication open—not just among AML Federal partners, but among all 

potential State and local stakeholders. They also encourage trust between project partners and affected communities, 

and often produce the types of specifi c knowledge and expertise that can only be found at the local level. They allow 

Federal partners to determine the ways in which they can contribute the greatest value. They eliminate confusion by 

making individual goals apparent early in the process. And, they generate resources—technical as well as fi nancial—far 

beyond what independent efforts can produce.

22

Before

After

Bonanza Rawley 12 Mill Site in Colorado.

Progress Through Collaboration

Federal Agencies Actively Collaborate To Address AML Issues

Established in 1995, the Federal Mining Dialogue is a cooperative initiative among Federal 

environmental and land management agencies aimed at addressing contamination from abandoned 

mine sites, primarily on Federal lands. Participating agencies including DOI, EPA, USDA, the 

Department of Justice, and USACE, provide a “toolbox” of resources that can be adapted depending 

upon circumstances, such as agency jurisdiction and land management protocol for a given area. 

In some cases, actions are coordinated with State agencies, and State laws, regulations, and 

environmental standards play signifi cant roles. In recent years, the Federal Mining Dialogue has 

increased its emphasis on long-term sustainability through sound land management practices.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Returning Life to Dead Lakes and Streams

Pit lakes, formed when ground water fl ows into an open mining pit, 

are a common feature at hardrock mining sites. The water quality is 

typically very poor at these sites, with pH values ranging near 2.0 in 

some lakes, a dangerous level for people and wildlife. In some areas, 

pit lakes are accessed by the public for recreational bathing and 

swimming, and the acidic water can cause skin irritation and other 

ailments. In addition, the acidic water can cause signifi cant fi sh kills 

and harm other wildlife that ingests the water.

At the White King Mine located in rural Lakeview County, Oregon, 

the Forest Service and other partners cooperated to clean up 

contamination resulting from years of underground and open-pit 

uranium mining. To correct the high acidity of the site’s pit lake, 

the Forest Service and other partners used an in-situ neutralization 

process, adding hydrated lime to stabilize the water’s pH. The 

success of this treatment soon became apparent, as organic matter 

began to fl ourish in the formerly dead lake. The quick return of life 

points to a bright future for this body of water and its surrounding 

ecosystem.

In the case of Blue Joe Creek, which crosses the border between northwestern Idaho and Canada, international 

collaboration was necessary to successfully address contaminants leaching from mine tailings that affected water and 

23

RESTORING the ENVIRONMENT

Abandoned mine lands are often located in beautiful, scenic areas, such as the mountainous regions 

of the Western United States. In some instances, the historical quaintness of an empty mine site can 

create a strong tourist draw, but more often, the legacy of these former mines is the environmental 

contamination caused by residual mining wastes.

Former mining activities may result in the formation of acid mine drainage (AMD), production of waste 

rock, and sediment erosion. Mine shafts, drill holes, and other mining methods may alter natural 

ground water fl ow patterns and carry contaminants like heavy metals to surface and ground water 

bodies, which can poison aquatic life and area wildlife. These effects not only can inhibit reuse of the 

affected land for recreation and other purposes, but they can also potentially impact communities far 

outside a mining site’s borders. 

Over the past 10 years, the BLM and the Forest Service have developed different techniques for the 

varied mining sites that fall under their jurisdictions. The examples provided in this section illustrate 

the approaches undertaken by the BLM and the Forest Service and demonstrate the positive 

environmental impacts that result from the reclamation of former mining sites.

Acid Mine Drainage:

A Threat to Humans and Wildlife

The sulfi de minerals contained in 

mine waste tailings piles react with 

rain, surface, or ground water to form 

an acidic runoff called AMD, which 

leaches metals like lead, copper, and 

mercury from the native rock. When 

AMD reaches rivers and streams, it 

can wipe out all aquatic life, impact 

wildlife in the area, and contaminate 

the sources of drinking water for entire 

communities. AMD is particularly hard 

to clean up and, if left untreated, can 

require centuries for water to return to 

its premining condition. 

White King Pond in Lakeview County, Oregon.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

wildlife in both countries. A lead and copper mining operation in 

Idaho created a tailings-pile dam that burst in the 1940s, sending large 

amounts of contaminated water and sediment pouring into Blue Joe 

Creek. As a result of this and continued erosion of remaining tailings, 

the creek was devoid of fi sh and had low levels of invertebrates. 

Sampling conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 

indicated extremely high levels of lead in wildlife around the mine 

site and along Blue Joe Creek. Forest Service sampling revealed 

highly contaminated sediments in areas of the fl ood plain. Surface 

water testing showed levels of lead in the creek at 960 times the 

Idaho Chronic Aquatic Standards just below the mine and 162 

times the standard 7 miles downstream at the Canadian border. In 

order to adequately address the contamination, the Forest Service 

and Canadian authorities shared sampling data and established an 

agreement allowing the Forest Service to sample portions of Blue Joe 

and Boundary Creeks in Canada as part of its monitoring program.

Cleanup activities conducted from 2003 to 2006 included the EPA mitigating more than 120,000 tons of mine tailings 

at the site and reconstructing nearly 900 feet of Blue Joe Creek, and the Forest Service removing nearly 47,000 tons 

of tailings from the fl ood plain and reconstructing nearly 2,000 feet of the creek. A follow-up study conducted by the 

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in 2006 verifi ed that aquatic life had returned to long-dead areas of Blue 

Joe Creek. 

Using Innovative Cleanup Methods

Depending on the amount and type of abandoned mine land impacts, reclamation can be complex and require unique 

solutions. Through the use of an innovative approach, project partners were able to address mercury contamination at 

the former Boston Placer Mine located northeast of Sacramento, California. 

The site’s problems stemmed from the 400-foot sluice tunnel once used to extract gold from mined sediment, which 

discharged water and sediment with high levels of mercury contamination onto adjoining Forest Service administered 

lands. Sampling performed by USGS confi rmed toxic concentrations of mercury in both the tunnel and the wetlands 

area. Through the removal of sediments from the sluice tunnel, plunge pool, and sluice tunnel inlet, and then separating 

the mercury from the sediments, the California BLM AML Team was able to recover and recycle the mercury. This 

innovative technique helped to preserve approximately 1 billion gallons of potential drinking water. 

Restoring the Environment

24

Before

After

Blue Joe Creek in Idaho.

Partnering to Restore Fish Habitats

As part of the “Bring Back the Natives” Program, Trout Unlimited 

and the BLM have funded and developed inland western native 

trout projects since 1993. Sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife 

Foundation, the program funds large watershed restoration projects on 

Federal lands managed by the BLM, the Forest Service, and the FWS. Additionally, 

Trout Unlimited and the BLM have developed a separate cooperative agreement for native 

trout recovery on BLM lands, covering large-scale projects such as Lahontan Cutthroat in 

Nevada and Bonneville Cutthroat in Idaho, as well as for Wyoming’s “Strategies for Restoring 

Native Trout” Initiative.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Completed in 2005, this project became the fi rst successful mercury removal, recovery, and recycling project undertaken 

in California. For its efforts, the AML Team received a DOI Environmental Achievement Award in 2006. A number of 

partners, including the Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, EPA, USACE, and multiple other Federal, State, local, 

and private entities, supported the project. By extracting mercury from sediment within the sluice tunnel and the above 

wetlands, the site was no longer a pollution point source, and the area became safe again for humans and wildlife.

Restoring Watersheds and Protecting Endangered Species

Past mining can affect not only nearby waterways, but also dependent 

ecosystems. Project partners created a collaborative cleanup approach for the 

Monarch Mill mining site in Atlanta, Idaho—an area prized for hiking and 

fi shing—that restored the watershed while protecting endangered wildlife.

During the mill’s operation, tailings discharged directly into the Middle 

Fork Boise River and its tributaries released high concentrations of toxic 

metals. In 1990, a neighboring dam failed, washing substantial amounts of 

remaining mining waste into the river. Studies confi rmed that area wildlife—

including Bull Trout, an endangered species in Idaho, and Bald Eagles 

dependent on area fi sh—were exposed to these toxic metals. In 2006, the 

Forest Service signed a memorandum of agreement with EPA to clean up the 

former mill site. Each agency contributed $365,000, while Trout Unlimited provided hands-on support from volunteer 

members. Cleanup included transporting contaminated tailings to a safe repository, reshaping and reconstructing the 

fl oodplain to original free-fl owing conditions, stabilizing the Middle Fork Boise River utilizing “earth burritos” and rip 

rap, constructing rock barbs for streambank protection, reshaping the site to control runoff, and revegetating to control 

erosion and stabilize remaining tailings. To further protect Bull Trout, freshwater pools were created along the river, 

restoring natural habitat that had been lost to fl ooding and erosion. In 2007, fencing the site, installing an irrigation 

system, enhancing vegetation, incorporating signage, and installing an informational kiosk will complete the project.

Reclamation activities stemmed the migration of toxic metals into the river. The once bleak outlook for the area’s Bull 

Trout is now promising, as aquatic and other dependent wildlife are safe in this restored watershed. Visitors to this 

recreational area can enjoy unspoiled land and water for hiking and fi shing in the years to come.

Continuing To Protect the Environment

Environmental impacts of mining can linger decades and 

even centuries after active mining has ceased. The BLM 

and the Forest Service are working hard to clean up mining 

sites to ensure continued enjoyment and use of public lands 

and the protection of watersheds and life within them. The 

BLM and the Forest Service are protecting wildlife—from 

the bears that hunt fi sh to every animal that drinks from a 

stream. And the communities living downstream—that may 

be unaware that a decades-closed mining operation located 

miles uphill could ever affect their drinking water—are 

protected by these actions. The BLM and the Forest Service 

are ensuring that the repercussions of exposed mining waste 

are safely addressed through continued efforts to identify 

new cleanup tools and methods. They are protecting the 

well-being of the environment, and of all of the creatures—

human and otherwise—who depend on these lands and 

waters to survive.

25

Volunteers conducting watershed rehabilitation 

work along the Boise River in Idaho.

Bats: Protecting Endangered

and Threatened Species

Abandoned mines house signifi cant colonies of bats, 

many of which include threatened and endangered 

species. Bats are important and valued members of the 

environment; they can eat up to half their weight in insects 

each night and are instrumental in pollination and seed 

dispersal. Because many natural bat habitats have been 

disturbed or destroyed, bats have found new homes in 

abandoned mines. Bat Conservation 

International, the BLM, the 

Forest Service, FWS, and 

National Park Service have 

partnered to help protect 

vulnerable bat species in 

abandoned mines. 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

The remnants of abandoned mining sites tell an alluring story about an adventurous time in the 

Nation’s past. Unfortunately, they can also be the subject of distressing news about injuries and 

fatalities. One of the main goals of the BLM and Forest Service AML programs is to address the 

health and safety hazards that exist in these formerly mined areas. 

While surface water contamination presents a common challenge on AML sites, addressing physical 

safety issues is another major priority during BLM and Forest Service reclamation work, as dozens of 

people every year are injured or killed in and around abandoned mine facilities. Over the years, the 

BLM, the Forest Service, and their partners have worked together to safeguard the lives and wellbeing of individuals who come into contact with these sites. The following section describes some of 

their successes toward that goal.

Protecting Human Uses of Water

In many abandoned mining sites with impacted waters, local 

residents and visitors are oftentimes unaware of the associated health 

hazards. In areas like Moon Creek, Idaho, reclamation partners were 

proactive in their efforts to protect aquatic and human life.

More than 50 years of mining left portions of Moon Creek, and 20 

acres of Forest Service land around the Silver Crescent/Moon Gulch 

site, contaminated with high concentrations of arsenic, lead, mercury, 

zinc, and other toxic metals, impacting fi sh and wildlife habitats in 

the area. One and a half miles downstream from the site, inhabitants 

of a small residential community, unaware of the contamination, 

occasionally used water from the creek to irrigate their gardens. 

Recreational activities in the area also put visitors at risk from 

exposure to contaminated water, as well as from the dangers of access to decaying mine facilities. These conditions and 

events prompted the Forest Service to remove 130,000 cubic yards of contaminated mine tailings and waste rock from 

the streambed and fl ood plains, and to recontour and stabilize the channel using native vegetation. Plans are underway 

to completely restore the creek’s ecosystem as part of a pilot project in Idaho, including the addition of habitat for the 

Westslope Cutthroat Trout, a protected species in the State.

The Forest Service improved this project’s effi ciency and contributed to a healthier overall watershed by coordinating 

cleanup efforts with EPA, which was remediating a neighboring site within the same watershed. Now, residents of the 

Moon Creek area can feel safe watering their backyards, and hikers and backpackers can wade through the creek’s 

fresh, clear waters on a hot summer’s day.

Making Recreation the Future of Former Mining Sites

Many former mining areas are rich in recreational opportunities for hikers, backpackers, off-road vehicle riders, and 

historical mine buffs alike. Reclamation of these sites makes the land safer and helps to provide a deeper appreciation 

for an area’s mining past through its recreational future.

Blueprints for a prospective Wyoming State Park interpretive trail—with the fi nal destination being a historic mine site 

with signage and kiosks—put arsenic-laden tailings at the Sturman Quartz Mill Tailings site in the trail’s path. 

26

ENSURING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Silver Crescent/Moon Gulch site in Idaho.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

There was a danger that the tailings might contaminate hikers who breathed 

the arsenic-laden dust or got it onto their clothing. Before the State could 

move forward, this abandoned mill site on BLM land was reclaimed in 

2005 by removing these tailings, re-contouring the topography, and reseeding the ground. This jointly funded project by the BLM and the State 

ensures that any visitors who pass through the former Sturman Quartz Mill 

Tailings site can do so without thinking twice about their health. 

In the Town of Lake Valley, New Mexico, several historic houses and 

buildings are on the New Mexico Register of Historic Places. Two of the 

town’s structures located on BLM land have been stabilized, including a 

church and a schoolhouse that serves as a repository for historical artifacts. Hiking trails with historic markers have 

been constructed. The BLM work at this site corrected or protected against 63 safety hazards on BLM land and 21 

safety hazards on private land during the summer of 2005. 

Through these successful projects in Wyoming and New Mexico, recreation and history enthusiasts can safely enjoy 

areas that posed major threats to human health and safety.

Addressing Mine Closures

Poor air quality, unstable structures, cavernous shafts, maze-like adits and tunnels, and leftover chemicals and 

explosives can present signifi cant threats to humans and wildlife at abandoned mine sites. The Forest Service, the BLM, 

and their partners have developed innovative methods in their endeavors to protect the lives of visitors to their great 

expanses of land in the West. 

The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) joined 

forces with the Forest Service in 1999 to set up a 50/50-cost-share program to 

safely close open mines on National Forest System land in the State. Through 

an annual prioritization process involving the BLM and the NPS, 20 closure 

projects are selected to be undertaken each year. Often, sites are prioritized if an 

area has numerous mines that can be addressed at once, or if they are of concern 

to citizens nearby. This unique funding mechanism and partnership has created 

a cost-effective and effi cient manner to address treacherous mine openings. In 

the fall of 2002, 26 mine openings at the Reef Gulch site were backfi lled, sealed, 

and gated. In a matter of months spanning the summer and fall of 2006, 33 adits 

at the Mosquito Gulch site were secured. Both of these successes represent 

extraordinary undertakings in their scope, and with every mine opening properly 

closed, the Forest Service and Colorado DRMS decreased the chance that 

someone might be seriously injured or killed at an abandoned site. 

In California, the formation of a Bat Gating Workshop was prompted by the 

existence of dangerous mine openings inhabited by bats in prominent recreation 

areas and the need for personnel with the knowledge and skills to address these 

openings. In April 2006, representatives from the BLM, the Forest Service, the 

California State Department of Conservation, and the NPS met for a handson seminar to learn techniques for constructing bat gates on open mine adits 

and shafts that are home to bats. The discussions between the various agencies 

facilitated creative measures for funding the closures of these dangerous sites. 

Guided by an engineering contractor, the group successfully surveyed and closed 

two openings using angled iron bars with gaps large enough for bats to pass 

27

The historic Sturman Quartz Mill in Wyoming.

Bat Gating Workshop students on top of 

a successfully closed vertical shaft.

One of several open vertical 

shafts addressed at the Reef 

Gulch site in Colorado.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

through, but small enough to keep people out. The adits and shafts that were addressed posed major safety hazards, as 

they were easily accessible by road and close to motorcycle trails in the surrounding area. At the same time, these highpriority sites were home to several bat species, which are an important link in the food chain. The gates addressed both 

of these issues.

Encompassed by the Coronado National Forest in Arizona, the Alum 

Gulch watershed area is used heavily for hiking, camping, picnicking, 

and riding off-road vehicles. However, past mining operations left behind 

mining waste rock and tailings piles, open mine shafts, and leaking adits. 

To ensure the safe closure of all open adits and shafts at former mining 

sites, including the Humbolt, Chief, and World’s Fair Mines, the Forest 

Service used innovative, polyurethane foam plugs to seal openings. 

These plugs are produced by mixing two liquid reagents that are then 

poured into adit and mine entrances; the resulting chemical reaction 

creates a foam that expands to fi ll all openings and cracks. Once this 

foam hardens, it is covered with dirt and rock, creating a permanent, 

weatherproof seal that safely prevents access by humans and wildlife. In 

addition, the Forest Service undertook an elaborate campaign to preserve 

the local bat population, by installing bat culverts and grates in the 

hillsides to provide new habitat once adits and mine shafts were fi lled. 

While long-term monitoring of water quality and contaminant sources 

will continue, the cleanup of former mining sites in the Alum Gulch 

watershed was completed in the spring of 2007.

The successes of the programs in Colorado, California, and Arizona are notable achievements on the road to a 

safer back country. They highlight the mindful techniques used by the BLM and the Forest Service to keep their 

constituents—human and otherwise—safe while approaching their tasks in a cost-effective manner.

Protecting Public Health and Safety into the Future

As part of their AML program goals, the BLM and the Forest Service have saved and continue to help save countless 

lives and prevent innumerable injuries, all while taking into consideration the wildlife and historic landmarks that 

frame the landscape. As a result of efforts made over the past 10 years, many formerly impacted local communities, 

nature lovers, and recreational enthusiasts can fully enjoy these former mining sites without fear for their lives and 

safety. As their AML programs continue to grow, both agencies will continue supporting the “Stay Out-Stay Alive” 

campaign launched by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Over time, exposure to AML sites will 

likely increase and put more lives at risk. In response, the BLM and the Forest Service strive to minimize this exposure 

by conducting education and outreach activities that inform the public about the potential health and safety concerns 

associated with AML sites.

Ensuring Public Health and Safety

28

The Stay Out-Stay Alive campaign, launched in 1999 by MSHA, is a collaborative effort between 

more than 70 agencies and organizations, including the BLM and the Forest Service. “There are 

about 500,000 abandoned mines and another 14,000 active operations throughout the United 

States,” said Richard E. Stickler, assistant secretary of labor for MSHA. “Many of them contain 

hidden hazards and, for those not trained to work in mines, the outcome can be deadly. That’s why 

we urge hikers, bikers, rock hounds, and swimmers to ‘Stay Out and Stay Alive.’”

Foam closure at the Humbolt Mine. 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

Increasing Community Pride Through Reclamation Efforts

It can be a daunting task for communities to revitalize their abandoned mine 

lands because lives revolved around mining and residents cannot imagine 

a different landscape. This is particularly true in the Appalachian coal belt. 

By taking the initiative to improve their surroundings through collaborative 

partnerships, residents of the Monday Creek watershed in Ohio’s Wayne 

National Forest were able to expand their opportunities and increase 

community pride. 

Large portions of Monday Creek and its tributaries were dead due to 

AMD left behind from a century of coal mining. In 1990, EPA rated it an 

unrecoverable stream. In 1994, local residents formed the Monday Creek 

Restoration Project group, which sought to restore 27 miles of the creek. 

While initially concerned with correcting fl ooding issues, the group focus 

has since expanded—it now coordinates the efforts of more than 20 partners, 

including grassroots organizations, universities, State offi ces, the Forest 

Service, EPA, USACE, OSM, and FWS. This collaboration has been critical 

as each partner provides unique technical expertise and resources. The 

Forest Service, for example, provided support for CERCLA actions, cleanup 

design, and geographic information system (GIS) analysis. At last report, 

partners had invested approximately $5 million toward creek cleanup, and 

the Forest Service contributed a similar amount of work and funding.

Since reclamation projects began in the forest, community pride in the project has grown. Residents have been involved 

in activities such as conducting stream sampling, trash cleanups, and the painting of murals depicting coal mining 

and restoration work. The hard work of all partners has begun to pay off; the creek’s water quality has improved 

29

Mining activities were historically the backbone of 

surrounding communities, and in many cases towns 

were developed solely to house miners. When mine 

closures occur, a signifi cant number of jobs are 

lost and communities are forced to identify a new 

economic livelihood, which can be complicated by their 

remote locations. Many communities are left with high 

unemployment rates and small populations, as residents 

are forced to leave in search of other opportunities.

By working closely with residents and providing a 

range of related training opportunities, Federal and 

State partners have increased the capacity of local 

communities to tackle environmental problems and 

create new jobs. The examples provided in this section 

demonstrate the positive effect the BLM and the Forest 

Service have had on local economies and residents’ 

quality of life.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE

Volunteer high school students conducting 

stream sampling in Monday Creek in Ohio.

“Over the years, it has been 

the concern and involvement 

of citizens that has made the 

Monday Creek Restoration 

Project a reality. Local citizens 

have participated in planning 

meetings, volunteered 

for stream sampling and 

litter cleanups, provided 

management plan input, and 

become involved in Friends of 

Monday Creek events.” 

Mike Steinmaus

Monday Creek Watershed Coordinator

-
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

substantially, people are using the area for recreation, and EPA reversed the creek’s unrecoverable rating in 2004. With 

additional cleanup, the stream could someday be used as a warm water fi shery to support recreational fi shing.

Building Capacity To Further Environmental Progress

When empowered with the right skills, local community members can have a 

substantial impact on improving their environment and economy. In Alaska, 

the BLM provided funding for the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council 

(YRITWC) to remediate a small abandoned mine site and build local capacity 

for future projects.

The YRITWC was established in 1997 by a group of tribal elders concerned 

about cancer and other health issues caused by contamination of the Fortymile 

watershed, a tributary of the Yukon River that fl ows through an area including 

Alaska and Canada. The BLM provided $250,000 and partnered with the Yukon 

Territory Division of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, YRITWC, and 

others to create a 5-year cooperative agreement to remediate the watershed’s 

Steel Creek site. 

By 2006, the YRITWC reclaimed the site within budget and schedule. Through 

the process, more than 15 Tribes were trained in water quality monitoring and 

mapping, which led to a collaborative, 3-year water quality monitoring project 

with USGS and creation of a comprehensive contaminant database. The BLM’s 

support also helped YRITWC leverage more than $900,000 in funding and inkind support. These capacity-building efforts led to new jobs and job retention 

for tribal members; for instance, the EPA Indian General Assistance Program 

provides funding for two environmental jobs in each community.

The support that partners provided to YRITWC enabled tribes to expand their 

environmental efforts to cover a wide range of issues. Some of these efforts 

include removing and recycling more than 3.5 million tons of wastes, developing 

a brownfi elds inventory and conducting environmental assessments, monitoring 

water quality, and initiating renewable energy pilot projects. YRITWC is 

scheduled to begin its second mining project, using an additional $150,000 from 

the BLM to address mining impacts on Hausa Tribal lands.

Supporting a Local Economy Through Reclamation

Although the Red River area near the town of Questa, New 

Mexico, has a history of gold and copper mining, it successfully 

transitioned to a tourism economy based on skiing and other 

recreational activities. The Forest Service helped promote this 

new economic base by ensuring the safety of Federal lands.

When visiting Questa, many visitors hike on surrounding 

National Forest System lands. There were four abandoned mine 

sites on these lands, causing safety concerns associated with 

exposed adits, AMD, and erosion. One of the sites identifi ed as a 

cleanup priority was adjacent to a creek situated upstream of the 

City of Red River’s water system. 

Improving Quality of Life

30

A YRITWC leadership meeting taking 

place at a bi-annual summit in Fort 

Yukon, Alaska.

YRITWC members searching 

for macro-invertebrates from the 

Yukon River.

Waste rock being removed from the area below a newly 

constructed recreational path in Red River, New Mexico.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

The Forest Service worked closely with partners such as the State, EPA, 

FWS, Trout Unlimited, and ski resort owners to improve the safety of the 

area by consolidating contamination from these sites into a single, capped 

repository. For example, a local ski resort owner contributed by donating 

the use of equipment to dry out the soil for construction of an access road. 

Throughout the reclamation process, the community was supportive, 

recognizing that the Forest Service’s work was designed to improve the 

safety of the area and promote the local tourist industry. 

Helping Communities To Turn the Tide

The BLM and the Forest Service have had a positive impact on people’s lives through reclamation of abandoned mine 

lands over the past 10 years. As part of their efforts to promote community involvement, both agencies will continue 

to work closely with local communities throughout the reclamation process by involving them in decision-making 

regarding cleanup and reuse options, providing a range of training opportunities, and involving local contractors in 

remediation work. Through these efforts, the BLM, the Forest Service, and their partners plan to continue to help 

communities and their residents transition into economies that offer brighter futures.

31

Waste rock from the Buffalo Mine in New 

Mexico being dumped in the repository.

Offi ce of Surface Mining Works Together with the BLM and the Forest Service

The Offi ce of Surface Mining’s (OSM) AML program mitigates the effects of past mining 

by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned mines. While most abandoned 

mines involve coal, OSM has the authority to allow AML funds to be spent to reduce 

threats to public health and safety from noncoal mines. BLM and the Forest Service 

have leveraged funding from OSM in situations where a State or tribe, particularly in the 

West, has certifi ed that all abandoned coal sites have been reclaimed.

Monday Creek Watershed camp participants.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

Enhancing Site Inventories and Prioritizing Reclamation Projects 

Building on their existing site inventories, the 

BLM and the Forest Service can enhance their 

AML inventories to enable more optimized 

program planning and prioritization of sites for 

reclamation. Although initial inventories provide 

solid baseline information, additional data 

collection is necessary to ensure that all sites 

that pose signifi cant health and safety threats are 

prioritized appropriately. Furthermore, priorities 

have changed since initial inventories were fi rst 

developed and there have been signifi cant shifts 

in population centers and recreation intensity. 

In an effort to coordinate and consolidate AML 

activities, the BLM has embarked on an effort 

to develop a National Mine Lands Inventory 

that will show AML and mine site locations on 

all Federal lands. Providing these site locations 

in a GIS platform along with other data layers 

(e.g., recreation facilities, impaired watershed boundaries, property lines) will allow for better communication and 

coordination between State and Federal agencies and the public, promoting better use of scarce resources to produce 

the greatest positive impact from reclamation. Additionally, the Forest Service is in the process of putting its regional 

AML data into a national database, making it available for use for the fi rst time for land use planning and other resource 

management activities.

Leveraging Resources and Results Through Cooperation and Partnership

Past partnerships show that collaboration and coordination result in more effi cient use of limited funding. Looking 

beyond the traditional intergovernmental partnerships to private sector, academia, and nonprofi t alliances will tap 

32

The Golden Butte Mine site in Nevada.

LOOKING FORWARD

National Mine Lands Inventory: A compilation map of mining sites for 

multiple land management agencies.

As this report demonstrates, much progress has been made 

in reclaiming AMLs and revitalizing the impacted watersheds 

and communities that are on or near public lands. With more 

than 12,000 abandoned mining sites on the BLM lands, 

more than 39,000 sites on National Forest System land, and 

hundreds of thousands of more sites yet to be identifi ed and 

characterized, more progress must be made. While these 

AML sites may represent environmental and safety threats, 

these lands also present opportunities for new ecological, 

economic, and other assets. Through continued funding, 

the BLM and the Forest Service can build on 10 years of 

progress and support the next phases of reclaiming the AML 

sites on public lands. In looking forward, the BLM and the 

Forest Service expect to focus on several key areas.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

new capabilities in technology transfer, funding sources, and knowledge management. Developing interagency 

training courses and technology lessons learned will help Federal partners stay apprised of emerging and innovative 

technological and scientifi c advances. Future AML site successes depend on initiating and building long-term 

relationships with local individuals and organizations that are in tune with the local wildlife, traditional culture, and 

character of the community. 

Transferring Technological Innovations To Ensure Effective and

Effi cient AML Site Cleanups 

With more than 50 years of experience cleaning up mining 

sites, the BLM and the Forest Service know that the greatest 

savings in cleanup cost savings come from technology 

improvements and new technologies. Best practices in AML 

reclamation are continuously being tested and proven by the 

BLM, other Federal agencies, States, contractors, and mining 

companies. To bring these technological advancements to bear 

on public lands, the BLM and the Forest Service must partner 

with others in training and technical assistance efforts to test 

their effectiveness in differing site conditions. Over the past 

10 years, technologies such as X-Ray Fluorescence metals 

analysis and sulfate reducing bioreactors have gone from 

innovative to mainstream. The next 10 years will certainly 

bring new and cost-effective tools to AML reclamation.

Solving the Long-Term AML Problem Through Prevention and Sustainable Practices

With the current estimates of AML sites on public lands in the hundreds 

of thousands, reclamation will not be completed in the near term. 

However, preventing future AML sites is a crucial component of any 

land management agency’s AML program. Sustainable mining practices 

and environmentally protective mine closure planning guarantee against 

abandonment and public cleanup burdens. Through optimal permitting 

requirements and fi nancial assurances, land management agencies are 

encouraging mining companies to operate under a sustainable business 

model that follows a mine’s life from startup to clean closure. These efforts 

ensure that the inventory of AML sites on public lands continues to shrink. 

With adequate funding and other technical resources, the BLM and the 

Forest Service can meet these future objectives and ensure that mining 

remains a key component of the economy. The prosperity that mining 

brings will ensure that the BLM and Forest Service landscape will be safe 

and environmentally healthy for everyone who lives nearby or benefi ts 

from public lands. 

33

Close up view of an X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer.

The Sunnyside Adit in Alum Gulch, AZ.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) prohibit discrimination in all their 

programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial 

status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To fi le a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, 

Offi ce of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 

720-6382 (TDD). USDA and DOI are equal opportunity providers and employers.

The mention of company names, trade names, or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use 

by the Federal Government.
Abandoned Mine Lands: A Decade of Progress Reclaiming Hardrock Mines 

BACK COVER