U.S. Department of the Interior

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Appendix A

Abandoned Mine Land Inventory

Manual

October 2023 
A-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE List of Acronyms................................................................................................................. A-3

CHAPTER 1 Policy & Responsibilities...........................................................................A-10

CHAPTER 2 Entering Problem Area Information into eAMLIS .........................................................A-225

CHAPTER 3 Problem Type Definitions................................................................................................. A-50

CHAPTER 4 Priority Documentation Requirements..............................................................................A-58

CHAPTER 5 General Welfare Sites – History and Status.................................................................... A-100

CHAPTER 6 Estimating & Documenting AML Reclamation Costs....................................................A-102

CHAPTER 7 Creating Planning Units and Problem Areas .................................................................. A-115

CHAPTER 8 Problem Area Mapping................................................................................................... A-117

CHAPTER 9 Emergency Program Inventory Update Responsibilities................................................A-118

CHAPTER 10 RAMP – Inventory Update Responsibilites.................................................................... A-119

CHAPTER 11 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program ............................................A-121

CHAPTER 12 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ......................................................................................... A-123

CHAPTER 13 Abandoned Mine Land Inventory Glossary.................................................................... A-126
A-3

List of Common Acronyms in this Manual and the Enhanced 

Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (eAMLIS)

Acronym Expansion

AD/PS Assistant Director for Program Support

AFS Alternate Funding Source(s)

AML Abandoned Mine Land(s)

AMLER Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program

ATP Authorization to Proceed

BIL Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

BLM Bureau of Land Management

CSV Comma-separated values

CY Cubic Yards

DOI Department of the Interior

eAMLIS Enhanced Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System

FIPS Federal information processing standards codes

FOD Field Office Director(s)

FRP Federal Reclamation Program

FRPMS Federal Reclamation Program Management System

GIS Geographic Information System(s)

GPRA Government Performance and Reports Act

HUC USGS Hydrologic unit code(s)

IIJA Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 

LF Linear Feet

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology

NPS National Park Service

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

OMB Office of Management and Budget

OSM / OSMRE The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

P1 / P2 / P3 (etc.) Priority 1 / Priority 2 / Priority 3 

PA Problem Area

PAD Problem Area Description

PDF Portable Document Format

PU Planning Unit(s)

QHU Qualified Hydrologic Unit

RAMP Rural Abandoned Mine Program

RD Regional Director(s)

SMCRA Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments

SOP Standard Operating Procedure(s)

STREAM Act Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from 

Abandoned Mines Act

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USFS United States Forest Service

USGS United States Geological Survey

WBD Watershed Boundary Dataset

WCU Water Cataloging Units
A-4

List of Priority 1 and Priority 2 Problem Type Acronyms

Acronym Problem 1 and Priority 2 Problem

Type

CS Clogged Streams

CSL Clogged Streams Lands

DH Dangerous Highwalls

DI Dangerous Impoundments

DPE Dangerous Piles and Embankments

DS Dangerous Slides

FLD Flooding

GHE Gases: Hazardous/Explosive

HEF Hazardous Equipment & Facilities

HWB Hazardous Water Bodies

IRW Industrial/Residential Waste

P Portals

PWAI Polluted Water: Agriculture & Industrial

PWHC Polluted Water: Human Consumption

S Subsidence

SB Surface Burning

UMF Underground Mine Fires

VO Vertical Openings
A-5

List of Priority 3 Problem Type Acronyms

Acronym Priority 3 Problem Type

BE Bench

DH Highwall

DP Industrial/Residential Waste

EF Equipment/Facility

GO Gob

HR Haul Road

MO Mine Opening

O Other

PI Pits

SA Spoil Area

SL Slurry

SP Slump

WA Water Problems

WS Water Supplies
A-6

List of Discontinued Priority 4, 5, F, and H Problem Type Acronyms

Problem 

Type Acronym Expansion

P4 COAL CNF Conservation Facilities

P4 COAL O Other

P4 COAL RCF Recreational Facilities

P4 COAL ROD Roads

P4 COAL SGE Pre-SMCRA Coal Research

P4 COAL SMR Surface Mining Reclamation

P4 COAL STR Public Infra-Structure

P4 COAL UTL Public Utilities

P4 COAL WQC Water Quality Control

P5 COAL CNF Conservation Facilities

P5 COAL HST Historic Purpose

P5 COAL OSB Open Space Benefits

P5 COAL UTL Public Utilities

P5 COAL RCT Recreation Purpose

P5 COAL ROD Roads

PF-411 (f) UTL Public Utilities

PF-411 (f) STR Public Infra-Structure

PF-411 (f) ROD Roads

PF-411 (f) RCF Recreational Facilities

PF-411 (f) CNF Conservation Facilities

PF-411 (f) O Other

H-411 (h) H1 411(h) Non-Mining Expenditures

H-411 (h) H2 411(h) Non-Mining Expenditures
A-7

List of Tribal Codes

Tribal Code Tribal Name

BF Blackfeet

CE Cherokee

CH Cheyenne River

CR Crow

CW Choctaw

CY Northern Cheyenne

FB Fort Berthold

FP Fort Peck

HO Hopi

JA Jicarilla Apache

LP Laguna Pueblo

MC Muscogee (Creek)

NA Navajo Nation

RB Rocky Boys

SA San Carlos Apache

SU Southern Ute

UB Uintah and Ouray

UM Ute Mountain Ute

WM White Mountain Apache

WR Wind River
A-8

List of Ore Type Codes

Code Ore Type

B Bentonite

N Cinnabar

Y Clay

1 Coal

C Copper

F Feldspar

J Fluorite

G Gold

R Graphite

I Iron

L Lead

K Limestone

M Marble

O Other

A Phosphate

P Platinum

D Sand/Gravel

E Shale

S Silver

H Sulphur

T Tungsten

U Uranium

V Vermiculite

Z Zinc
A-9

List of Program (Funding) Codes

Code Program Name

AFS Alternate Funding Source

AMA State AMD Set-Aside Program

BIL Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

CH1 Certified Program 411 (h)(1)

CH2 Certified Program 411 (h)(2)

CIA Coal Interim Site Funding

CLA Clean Streams Initiative Funding

CSA Coal Insolvent Surety Funding

EBI Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emergency

EMA Federal Emergency Program

ENH Enhancing AML Reclamation Rule Project

FRA Federal Reclamation Program

MLR Abandoned Mine Land Economic 

Revitalization Program 

NCA Non-Coal P1 P2 P3

NCF Non-Coal 411 (f)

NH1 Certified Program 411 (h)(1) Non-Coal

NH2 Certified Program 411 (h)(2) Non-Coal

PVA Other

RMA Remining

RUA Rural Abandoned Mine Program

SEA State Emergency Program

SGA Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe P1 P2 P3

SGB Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe P3 ONLY

SGC Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe P4 ONLY

SGD Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe P5 ONLY

SGE Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe 

RESEARCH

SSA State Future Reclamation Set-Aside

WCA Watershed Cooperative Agreement 

Funding

WSB 403 (b) Water Supply Restoration Program

__STA__ STREAM Act Funding
A-10

CHAPTER 1

POLICY & RESPONSIBILITES

A. Purpose

This manual defines when and how the Abandoned Mine Land Inventory (Inventory) is to

be used and maintained. It contains background information and Office of Surface

Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) policy and responsibilities related to the

Inventory. The Enhanced Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (eAMLIS) is a 

computer system used to store and process the information in the Inventory.

This manual has been updated to accommodate the enactment of the Abandoned Mine 

Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program (authorized annually in Appropriation 

Laws beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2016). Updates have also been made to accommodate 

changes to the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program and Inventory management

resulting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) (Pub. L. No. 117-58), also known 

as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), enacted on November 15, 2021 and 

the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 which amended Section 40701 of the BIL to

allow States and Tribes to place BIL AML grant funds into a long-term abandoned mine 

land reclamation fund. Each of these laws impacts eAMLIS.

Both this manual and the eAMLIS User Guide contain specific instructions for updating

and maintaining the web-based eAMLIS. Both documents are available and can be 

viewed at the OSMRE website [https://eamlis.osmre.gov].

B. Background

During the immediate years after enactment of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation 

Act (SMCRA), OSMRE, States, and Tribes conducted surveys of eligible lands and waters 

and created individual databases, or inventories, of problems to be addressed under Title IV. 

OSMRE maintained a database containing these inventories, but it proved to be labor 

intensive, paper-laden, and hard to manipulate on a nationwide level. SMCRA was 

amended in 1990 to add Section 403I which required the Secretary of the Interior to 

maintain an Inventory of high priority coal sites and provide standardized procedures for 

States and Tribes to use in updating the Inventory. The 1990 amendment also required that 

the Inventory be updated on a regular basis, not less than annually, and authorized funding 

and technical assistance to the States and Tribes for this purpose. The 1990 amendment and 

the need for an automated nationwide Inventory led to the creation of earlier versions of 

eAMLIS as a compilation of the individual State, Tribe, Federal Reclamation Program 

(FRP), and Rural Abandoned Mine Program (RAMP) inventories of AML problems.

On December 20, 2006, SMCRA was amended to extend fee collections until 2021. 

Concurrent with the fee extension, Congress revised Title IV that added sources of program 

funding, emphasized high priority coal reclamation, and expanded OSMRE’s 
A-11

responsibilities towards implementation and management of the AML Inventory. Changes 

resulting from the 2006 AML Reauthorization amendments include:

1. Elevating the expenditure priority of Priority 3, land and water reclamation 

problems, adjacent to current and past Priority 1 and 2 problems.

2. Removal of the term General Welfare as criteria for qualifying for high priority 

reclamation.

3. Restricting Priority 3 reclamation until a State or Tribe has completed all the Priority 

1 and 2 health and safety problems.

4. Reliance on the AML Inventory by the Secretary when initiating certification for 

States and Tribes that have completed all coal problems.

5. New sources of funding for both Uncertified and Certified States and Tribes.

6. Expansion of eligible activities for States and Tribes that have certified completion 

of all coal problems.

7. Elimination of Title IV as a source of funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) RAMP under Section 

406.

8. Requiring OSMRE approval of certain amendments to the Inventory, and

9. Requiring OSMRE to ensure that certain program expenditures strictly comply with

priorities of Section 403(a).

The BIL included language that directly, or in some cases indirectly, impacted OSMRE. 

In addition to the extension of abandoned mine land (AML) fee collections and 

mandatory AML Grant distributions, $11.293 billion in new funding was authorized to be 

appropriated for deposit into the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. Under the BIL, a 

portion of this new funding was designated to provide States and Tribes with the financial 

and technical assistance necessary for the purpose of making amendments to the AML 

Inventory.

The authority to collect the Title IV AML reclamation fee expires September 30, 2034, 

under the BIL. Fee rates for all coal sold, transferred, or used on or after October 1, 2021, 

are:

a. Surface-mined coal (except lignite) – 22.4 cents per ton

b. Underground-mined coal (except lignite) – 9.6 cents per ton
A-12

c. Lignite – 6.4 cents per ton

d. The alternative Ad-Valorem rate of 10 percent of the value for surface or 

underground and 2 percent of the value for lignite, continues to be in 

effect.

The eAMLIS documents unfunded high priority coal reclamation projects and records when 

funding is made available for each Problem Area (PA). eAMLIS also reports completed 

coal projects, plays a central role in making the determination that a State or Tribe has 

addressed all known coal problems, and records the accomplishments of States and Tribes 

completing non-coal projects and other activities. eAMLIS is OSMRE’s primary source of 

information for documenting the amount of AML hazards completed by a State/Tribe AML 

program, and the extent and cost of AML problems remaining to be abated. The 

information is federally maintained, and the program States and Tribes provide the data 

using standardized procedures.

C. Policy

1. OSMRE fulfills its Inventory maintenance responsibilities (i.e., data validity, 

integrity, and consistency) through a system of policies, oversight procedures, and 

internal controls. Oversight activities are generally accomplished through 

performance evaluations which can be done at any point in the process.

2. Updated information, new PAs, and new high priority problems on existing PAs are 

added by the States and Tribes. OSMRE updates information for non- program 

States and Tribes. In the event that Congress provides non-Title IV funding under 

SMCRA Section 406 to the NRCS for RAMP reclamation, States and Tribes with 

approved AML reclamation programs will assist OSMRE by adding information 

supplied by NRCS on completed projects.

3. Grant funding may not be expended for the development, design, or reclamation of a 

Priority 1, 2, or 3 coal Problem Type feature unless it is entered and contained in 

eAMLIS. However, grant funding may be expended to conduct site investigations, 

perform Inventory duties, determine eligibility, or to determine the extent of the 

AML problem.

4. OSMRE approval is required to add any new Priority 1, 2, or 3 coal Problem Type 

feature to eAMLIS or to elevate an existing Priority 3 coal problem to a higher 

priority (“elevating P3s” applies to AML Fee-Based programs only). Site visits by 

OSMRE should be conducted as needed to ensure that proposed additions into 

eAMLIS accurately reflect field conditions. Once a coal Problem Type feature is 

contained in eAMLIS, States and Tribes may revise the description, cost estimate, 

and administrative data without OSMRE approval. States/Tribes cannot alter 

Completion data once it is entered into eAMLIS; however, States/Tribes may revise 

a problem type Program (fund) code during its Unfunded or Funded phases. 
A-13

Refinements to a problem type’s Program code should be done only after 

consultation with OSM’s Regional or Field office staff (Approvers/Temporary 

Approvers). Any adjustments to a PAD’s Program codes during Unfunded or 

Funded phases should be highly coordinated with OSM staff to ensure proper 

transition between and among fee-based codes and newer legislative codes such as 

BIL, AMLER, and Stream Act codes.

5. OSMRE may not issue an Authorization to Proceed (ATP) for any coal Problem 

Type feature not approved for inclusion in the Inventory. Coal problems that are 

being reclaimed must be shown as funded sometime between OSMRE’s ATP 

process and the signing of a construction contract. (Emergency problems are the 

exception to this provision – emergency problems can immediately be entered into 

the Completion data fields after they are remedied.) Reclaimed Problem Type 

features are to be shown as completed when construction is complete.

6. The States and Tribes are responsible for administering their individual AML 

Programs and setting the priority of each proposed project in accordance with this 

manual and their approved reclamation program.

7. The existence of a PA in the Inventory does not constitute OSMRE concurrence 

with the eligibility determination. When reviewing priority determinations for coal 

Problem Type features entered into the Inventory prior to the date of issuance of this 

Directive, OSMRE will give deference to State and Tribe whenever feasible. In 

cases where coal problems entered prior to the issuance of this Directive appear to 

lack factual support and/or where they conflict with the guidance outlined in this 

Directive, OSMRE should coordinate with the State/Tribe to ensure that the 

appropriate corrections are made to eAMLIS.

8. States and Tribes that have not certified completion of all remaining coal problems 

are not required to maintain a complete Inventory of unfunded non- coal problems, 

or high priority post-SMCRA coal interim or coal insolvent surety problems. 

However, when these sites are to be addressed with program funding, the required 

data must be entered into eAMLIS no later than the ATP process. Coal interim or 

coal insolvent surety problems must be entered prior to the expenditure of funding 

for project development, design, or construction and must be updated at the time of 

funding and upon completion. Non-coal Problem Type features being addressed 

under Section 409 must be entered at the time of the ATP process and must be 

updated upon completion. Because information concerning unfunded high priority 

post-SMCRA coal interim and coal insolvent surety sites is used for planning 

purposes, OSMRE encourages States and Tribes to include such information in 

eAMLIS. Uncertified States and Tribes shall not record any accomplishments under 

the Program Areas or Problem Types of 411(h)(1) or 411(h)(2); these are for use by 

certified programs only.

9. States and Tribes that have certified completion of all remaining coal problems must 
A-14

follow the eAMLIS update process described above when addressing any remaining 

or newly discovered Priority 1, 2, or 3 coal related problems. Certified States and 

Tribes expending funds that remain from distributions prior to October 1, 2007 (old 

funding), will enter the accomplishment data into the historically applicable 

Program Areas and Problem Types. Certified States and Tribes expending funds 

distributed after October 1, 2007 (new funding), should enter accomplishment data 

into one of the four new Program Areas, as applicable (Certified 411(h)(1) Coal, 

Certified 411(h)(2) Coal, Certified 411(h)(1) Non-Coal, or Certified 411(h)(2) NonCoal). This will allow OSMRE to report on the accomplishments of the program 

with the new sources of funding received under the 2006 Reauthorization 

amendments and the BIL.

10. Certified States and Tribes are required to enter non-coal and non-mining related 

project accomplishments funded pursuant to SMCRA 411(h)(1) and 411(h)(2) into 

eAMLIS upon completion.

11. Certified States and Tribes must enter all coal problems into eAMLIS that are the 

subject of a plan submitted to OSMRE pursuant to 30 CFR § 875.14(b). The data 

entry must follow the procedural requirements of this Directive and include any 

necessary support documentation. Certified States must also respond to a series of 

questions within eAMLIS to verify and confirm that their PADs and coal problems 

are part of and included in their state reclamation plan: any “no” responses to 

individual questions must then provide a statement to justify why a PAD/problems 

are not part of the above referenced plan; a “yes” response to individual questions 

indicates that the PAD/problems are part of their state’s plan.

12. The Inventory is used by OSMRE to determine which States and Tribes have 

sufficient Priority 1 and 2 coal problems to justify a grant distribution from the 

Federal Historic Coal Funds (Section 402(g)(5) of SMCRA) and to determine which 

are eligible for the minimum program make-up funds (Section 402(g)(8) of 

SMCRA) under the annual distribution of AML grant funds. To avoid disruptions 

or delays in awarding Historic Coal Funds or minimum program make-up funds, 

States and Tribes eligible for such funding are encouraged to enter all known and 

newly discovered Priority 1 and 2 coal related problems into the Inventory on a 

routine basis.

13. The Inventory is also used to verify that all coal problems have been funded when a 

State or Tribe, or the Secretary of the Interior on behalf of a State or Tribe, certifies 

under Section 411(a) of SMCRA, that all known coal reclamation has been 

completed, including post-SMCRA coal sites under 402(g)(4)(F).

14. All problems listed in the Inventory are expected to be funded consistent with 

available grant fund levels, the State or Tribe’s approved reclamation plan, and the 

guidance outlined in this Directive. If, upon re-evaluation, a State, or Tribe, or 

OSMRE (for the FRP) finds that a problem does not meet the criteria for inclusion 
A-15

in the Inventory, the problem should be removed. If such re-evaluation changes the 

priority of a problem, then the priority shown in the Inventory must be raised or 

lowered as appropriate.

15. The use of paper forms is eliminated for new additions and revisions to the 

Inventory. All required supporting documentation must be entered into the eAMLIS 

database to meet the requirements for completing a PAD. A complete submission 

will include the information entered into the eAMLIS data fields, Priority 

Documentation Forms, cost information, maps, and any supporting narrative. 

Priority Documentation Forms reproduced in a State/Tribe electronic format are 

acceptable as long as they contain complete information. Other information needed 

to document a PAD and associated problems should also be uploaded. States/Tribes 

shall add relevant updated Priority Documents, cost estimates, maps, and data field 

entries if they are revising and reassessing any legacy PADs. State submissions for

authorization to proceed, OSMRE project related findings and other grant 

documents should not be uploaded to eAMLIS. eAMLIS is strictly a repository for 

documents supporting eAMLIS decisions.

D. Responsibilities

1. Assistant Director for Program Support (AD/PS) is responsible for developing 

and implementing Inventory policies and procedures, maintaining eAMLIS, and 

assigning and managing access to the system through approved user roles.

2. Regional Directors are responsible for coordinating activities. They are responsible 

for entering PA information in eAMLIS for all non-program States and Tribes and 

for projects they administer in their Regional Offices.

3. Field Office Directors (FODs) and Field Division Managers are responsible for 

approving all new Priority 1, 2, and 3 coal Problem Type features entered into the 

Inventory. This approval requirement extends to any Priority 3 Problem Type 

features being elevated to a higher priority. Approval authority may be delegated 

under the “Temporary Approver” role (see Section E below).

The FODs and Field Division Managers are responsible for verifying the integrity

and completeness of data entered in the Inventory by the States and Tribes. A 

complete submission will include the information entered into the eAMLIS data 

fields (units and costs), Priority Documentation Forms, cost information, maps, and 

supporting narrative. Priority Documentation Forms reproduced in a State/Tribe 

electronic format are acceptable as long as they contain complete information. 

Other information needed to document a PAD and associated problems should also 

be uploaded. 

The FODs and Field Division Managers are also responsible for conducting 

performance evaluations of State/Tribe conformance with the policies and 
A-16

procedures set out in this Directive. They will advise States and Tribes of needed 

changes to Inventory practices, assist them in interpretation of Inventory guidance, 

and perform field visits when needed for technical assistance or for performance 

evaluation. The OSMRE Directive AML-22, Evaluation of State and Tribe 

Abandoned Mine Land Programs, contains the procedures for setting program 

measurement techniques, collecting and reporting core program data, and 

establishing Programmatic Agreements between OSMRE and the States/Tribes.

FODs and Field Division Managers must also enter reclamation information into 

eAMLIS for OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreements.

4. States and Tribes are responsible for implementing procedures consistent with this 

Directive to maintain the Inventory for their State/Tribe. They are responsible for 

setting priorities in accordance with this Directive and with their approved AML 

reclamation program, and for advising OSMRE of any problems or issues they 

encounter when implementing the procedures under this Directive. States and 

Tribes are responsible for obtaining OSMRE approval for all Priority 1, 2, and 3 

coal Problem Type features added to the Inventory This approval requirement 

extends to any Priority 3 Problem Type features being elevated to a higher priority

(except for features being reclaimed with AMLER [MLR] or BIL funds, as MLR 

and BIL programs allow for Priority 3 features to be reclaimed independently if 

warranted). Only refinements to the units or cost information of a Problem 

Type feature already contained in the Inventory are to be made by the States 

and Tribes without prior approval. 

States and Tribes are responsible for ensuring that no Title IV funding is expended 

for the development, design, or reclamation of a Priority 1, 2, or 3 coal problem 

unless it is contained in eAMLIS. Title IV funding may be expended to conduct 

Inventory duties, determine eligibility, or to determine the extent of the AML 

problem. Finally, States and Tribes are responsible for developing and submitting 

PADs to eAMLIS in a timely manner to assist OSMRE in its responsibilities related 

to the proper distribution of Historical Coal Share Funding and minimum program 

make-up funds, and to properly maintain certification status.

5. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), NRCS is responsible for RAMP. 

Responsibilities are set out in the chapter pertaining to RAMP.

E. eAMLIS User Roles & Designated System Contacts

1. eAMLIS User Roles: All persons accessing and using the eAMLIS system must 

have an approved user role assigned by an OSMRE system administrator. User 

roles establish access and operational rights for data entry, review and approval of 

coal problems, enhanced data queries, and administrative management of the 

system. Persons within other government agencies may be assigned roles 

commensurate with their access needs.
A-17

State, Tribe, OSMRE, and any other system users are responsible for providing the 

system administrators sufficient information to meet OSMRE requirements for 

obtaining and maintaining an approved user role and for adhering to OSMRE and 

Department of the Interior requirements related to system use. OSMRE may 

terminate or change a user’s role without notification to the user to restrict access, 

address changes in employment, or to implement all requirements related to system 

security. OSMRE may, without notification to a user, delete or modify user 

information and any data additions, modifications, or document uploads that users 

have made to eAMLIS.

No defined user roles are required to access the public eAMLIS system at OSMRE’s 

website.

The following user roles are available to OSMRE, State, and Tribe personnel:

2. Administrator: The Administrator user role is assigned to persons responsible for 

managing the system components on a daily basis. These persons are responsible 

for managing system-wide access by designating users, sending communications to 

all eAMLIS users, maintaining system documents, coordinating with contractors to 

resolve issues, providing technical support, system training, and reporting to 

management on system operational aspects.

3. Preparer: The Preparer user role is assigned to State, Tribe, and OSMRE personnel 

responsible for data entry and management. Preparer roles are restricted so as to

only allow data entry and management for the specific State or Tribe program they 

represent. Dependent upon the administrative and management structure of the 

State or Tribe, there may be more than one assigned Preparer role per program.

4. Approver: The Approver user role is assigned to OSMRE FODs, OSMRE Field 

Division Managers, and other OSMRE office managers with primary responsibility 

for overseeing eAMLIS implementation requirements within a program. The 

Approver is responsible for approving or rejecting new Priority 1, 2, and 3 coal 

Problem Type features entered into the Inventory after the date of this Directive. 

This responsibility extends to any Priority 3 Problem Type features being elevated to 

a higher priority. The Approver is responsible for verifying the accuracy and 

completeness of data entered in the Inventory (including appropriate units and 

costs). Furthermore, Approvers are responsible for communicating with their 

regional state/Tribal partners to resolve and remedy any deficiencies and weaknesses 

in PAD entries, supporting documentation, and uploads. Approvers are responsible 

for assigning and managing the roles and responsibilities of Temporary Approvers.

5. Temporary Approver: The Temporary Approver user role is assigned by FODs, 

OSMRE Field Division Managers, and other OSMRE office managers with primary 

responsibility for overseeing eAMLIS implementation requirements within a 
A-18

program. The Temporary Approver executes the duties of the Approver relative to 

approving or rejecting new Priority 1, 2, and 3 coal Problem Type features entered 

into the Inventory. This responsibility extends to any Priority 3 Problem Type 

features being elevated to a higher priority. The Temporary Approver is also 

responsible for verifying the accuracy and completeness of data entered in the 

Inventory (including appropriate units and costs). Moreover, Temporary Approvers 

are responsible for communicating with their regional state/Tribal partners to resolve 

and remedy any deficiencies and weaknesses in PAD entries, supporting 

documentation, and uploads. 

6. Reviewer: The Reviewer user role is assigned to OSMRE personnel responsible for 

conducting reviews of system information, oversight, and for providing information 

and recommendations to persons in Approver or Temporary Approver roles. 

Persons assigned the Reviewer role will have access to review data entry 

information for the specific States/Tribes for which they have oversight 

responsibilities. Persons operating under the Reviewer role do not have the 

authority or ability to approve or disapprove specific submissions by Preparers.

7. OSMRE Restricted User: The OSMRE Restricted User role is assigned to OSMRE

program personnel needing access to the internal eAMLIS system to obtain more 

detailed information than is available from the eAMLIS public query site.

8. eAMLIS Contacts: Users may establish -Contacts within eAMLIS to assist them in 

the performance of their responsibilities. A system contact contains contact 

information of a co-worker, consultant, an individual in another government agency, 

or anyone else who the user routinely relies on for advice or expertise. Users may 

designate system contacts so as to allow other eAMLIS users access to their contact 

information.

F. Updating the AML Inventory

The hard copy of the PAD form (OSM-76 form; OMB Number: 1029-0087) has been 

eliminated and all required data must be completed/updated in the new electronic OSM-76 

form contained in eAMLIS. Complete information includes PAD data, narratives 

describing each AML problem, cost information, Priority Documentation, and any maps.

AML Program accomplishments and Performance Measures for OSMRE’s Annual Report 

to Congress are taken directly from the eAMLIS system on October 1st of each year.

Completed reclamation information will be included in the annual reports only if entered 

into eAMLIS prior to that date.

Generally, the Inventory should be updated or reviewed according to the following 

schedules (see eAMLIS Submission Guide table).
A-19

1. Unfunded: Update or review:

a. When new PAs are identified.

b. When new Problem Type features occur or are identified in existing PAs.

c. When estimated costs are revised substantially.

d. When priority rankings change; and

e. Prior to the expenditure of funding for the development or design of 

reclamation addressing Priority 1, 2, or 3 coal Problem Type features 

(including coal interim & insolvent surety sites), Section 403(b) Water 

Supply Replacement Projects, 30% Acid Mine Drainage Set Aside Projects, 

and OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement.

2. Funded: Update or review:

a. ATP or Contract Approval – eAMLIS must be revised to reflect the 

“funded” status of AML problems. This may occur when the ATP is 

requested and approved, however, it must occur no later than when a 

construction contract is awarded.

b. If revision occurs at the time of the ATP request/approval, the unfunded 

reclamation estimate may be moved to “funded” status. If the revision 

occurs at the time of contract award, the actual costs included in the contract 

should be used to update eAMLIS. If the costs were revised from unfunded 

to funded as part of the ATP process, the costs do not have to be revised 

when a contract is signed. However, it is desirable to do so if there is a 

significant difference between the costs entered after the ATP is approved 

and the cost of the contract.

c. The following kinds of projects must be updated when funded:

(1) Pre-SMCRA coal sites;

(2) Coal interim permit sites;

(3) Coal insolvent surety sites;

(4) Non-coal projects conducted by uncertified States and Tribes;

(5) AMLER; and

(6) BIL
A-20

3. Completed, Update, or Review:

a. Upon project completion as required by 30 CFR §§ 885.20 and 886.21. 

Reclaimed Problem Type units and associated costs contained in the funded 

columns must be moved and revised, as necessary to the completed columns 

to reflect the final construction costs. To ensure that reclamation 

accomplishments are reported in the fiscal year in which they occurred, the 

entering of completion information should not be delayed until all contract 

and administrative actions have been completed and entered into eAMLIS by 

September 30th annually. All emergency problem completions (using 

Program codes SEA, EBI, or EMA) MUST include an Abate Date entry.

This includes final units and costs for AMLER, BIL and BIL Emergency 

programs.

b. When construction is completed on projects within certain programs and the 

data has not been previously entered into the Inventory (i.e., State Program 

Emergencies, non-coal reclamation, 30% long-term AML reclamation fund 

(also referred to as the STREAM Act), or other projects completed by

certified States and Tribes using funds provided under SMCRA 411(h)(1) or 

(h)(2)).

c. When the Preparer becomes aware that the AML problems have been abated 

through methods other than through SMCRA Programs (private reclamation, 

remining, or natural causes). See Chapter 2 for information about projects 

partially funded with non-Title IV monies, also referred to as Alternate 

Funding Sources (AFS). AML problems that are reclaimed by methods 

other than SMCRA Programs should be identified accordingly in eAMLIS.

d. To record long-term recurring reclamation costs. States and Tribes must 

update eAMLIS to account for ongoing long-term reclamation costs not 

included in the initial construction of a project. The timing of data entry into 

eAMLIS is determined according to the update requirements of the Program 

Area. If they are related to routine Priority 1, 2, or 3 coal projects, they 

should be entered at the time of the ATP. If the costs are in support of an 

AMD Set-Aside project, they should be entered at least annually along with 

a specific completion date. The costs should reflect direct expenditures 

associated with AML problem abatement (including chemicals, labor, repairs 

& maintenance including recapitalization, and sludge disposal). Consultant 

contracts and agency personnel expenditures should only be included if they 

are an essential component of the day-to-day abatement activity such as 

routine site labor. Design contracts and any agency management costs should 

not be entered. When entering long-term recurring costs into eAMLIS, the 

units of reclamation may change or remain the same. Each new recurring 

cost entry can and should include a revised flow rate (to accommodate 
A-21

changes to a stream’s dynamic conditions – periods of drought or extremely 

rainy seasons.) Each recurring entry should include a succinct statement in 

the Comments section of the PAD to briefly describe the changes and details 

of the entry/refinement.

(Example – A State used $475,000 of 30% AMD Set-Aside funding to construct a 

treatment facility to recover 17 miles of impacted stream. At the end of the project, the 

eAMLIS completion data module was completed to note the project, total construction cost 

($475,000) and flow rate (in gallons per minute at the time of the entry/refinement). The 

following year, the State expended $56,000 for chemicals, labor, repairs & maintenance

including recapitalization and sludge disposal. To meet OSMRE annual reporting 

deadlines, the eAMLIS completion information was updated just before October 1st to show 

the additional $56,000 with no changes in the flow rate of AMD treated. A comment was 

added in the completion narrative describing the nature of the work.)

G. eAMLIS PAD Submission/Revision Guide

Use this table as a guide to help understand when to add or edit and submit PAD entries for 

the Program types listed in the column on the left as they go through the different phases of 

eAMLIS funding workflows.

Planned Program Unfunded Funded Completed

Pre-SMCRA Coal (P1& P2) State/Tribe AML Program

& FRP (non-emergency) not currently in eAMLIS. X X X

Projects under development/design for Pre-SMCRA Coal (P1, P2, 

P3 Problem Types and 403(b) Water Supply Replacement), 

“Enhancing AML Reclamation” Rule projects, interim and 

insolvency1 site projects, and non-coal projects in uncertified States 

and Tribes.

X2 X X

Non-Coal projects being conducted pursuant to a Section 409 

Governor’s request in uncertified States and Tribes. X3 X

Projects, other than coal related reclamation, conducted by certified 

States and Tribes using funds provided under SMCRA 411(h)(1) or 

(h)(2).

X

State Program Emergencies.

(Federal Emergency projects are entered the same but use the 

“Federal Emergency” program type “EMA”)

X

1 It is not required that Coal Interim Site or Coal Insolvent Surety Site problems be entered as unfunded, but minimum 

program States and Tribes may wish to do so to help assure they are eligible for the maximum amount available to 

them as a minimum program State and Tribe. 2 It is required that prior to the expenditure of funding for project development or design, coal interim and coal 

insolvency problems be entered into the Inventory as “Unfunded.”

3 Non-coal problems being addressed under a Section 409 Governor’s request must be entered into eAMLIS no later 

than the ATP process.
A-22

OSMREs Watershed Cooperative Agreement. X X X

30% Acid Mine Drainage Set-Aside Program

Note: Set-Aside projects are considered complete when site 

construction is finished. X

Long-term Recurring Reclamation Costs (403(b) Water Supplies, 

30% Acid Mine Drainage Set-Aside Program, etc.).4 X X X

Remining and Other (formerly “Private”). X

Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) X X X

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P1, P2, P3) of 2021 (BIL) X X X

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emergencies (EBI) X

STREAM Act (coal-related acid mine drainage, subsidence, or 

underground mine fires)5 X

H. State-Tribe-OSMRE PAD Development and Review Procedures

As provided in Section C, States and Tribes must obtain OSMRE approval prior to the 

expenditure of funding for project development or design for all Priority 1, 2, and 3 coal 

Problem Type features not in the Inventory. In addition, States and Tribes must submit for 

approval any Priority 3 coal Problem Type feature that is being elevated to a Priority 1 or 2 

expenditure. Only refinements to the units or cost information of a Problem Type 

feature already contained in the Inventory are to be made by the States and Tribes 

without approval (see examples below). Refinements and edits to the Inventory shall 

have an accompanying note in the PAD’s Comments section. A note/comment in this 

section shall list the State/Tribal editor, date of edit, and a summary of the edits and 

refinements being made to the PAD and Problem Type features.

States, Tribes, and OSMRE should coordinate to ensure that additions to eAMLIS are 

developed, submitted, and reviewed to minimize disruptions to the project design and 

construction process. Supporting documentation must be uploaded to eAMLIS. At a 

minimum, uploads should include Priority Documentation Forms, cost information, 

maps and supporting narrative. The supporting documents for each Problem Type 

feature being updated will have associated supporting documents attached (under 

Documents tab) to that specific Problem Type feature. Priority Documentation Forms 

reproduced in a State/Tribe electronic format are acceptable as long as they contain 

complete information. Other information needed to document PAD and associated 

4 Annual costs related to the ongoing long-term reclamation expenditures (see Section “3.d.” above). 5 It is required that projects funded exclusively using BIL long-term abandoned mine land reclamation funds be entered 

into eAMLIS upon completion. It is not required that these projects be entered as unfunded or funded. Although not 

required, States and Tribes may wish to add these projects to the Inventory prior to completion to provide a more 

comprehensive picture of the AML hazards faced by States and Tribes.
A-23

problems should also be uploaded.

1. New Coal PAD Submission Requirements: By definition, new coal PADs contain 

previously undocumented coal problems. Consequently, States and Tribes must 

submit the new PAD to OSMRE for approval of each new coal Problem Type 

feature. A complete submission includes all of the information needed to complete 

the on-line PAD form plus any supporting documents. Supporting documents for 

each Problem Type Feature include a Priority Documentation Form, cost 

justification, map, and all supporting narratives or documentation required by the 

Field Office to conduct a complete review of the PAD.

2. Pre-Existing PAD Submission Requirements: States and Tribes have some 

flexibility when modifying PADs that existed in the AML Inventory prior to the 

issuance of this Directive. They may upload the documents needed to support new 

coal Problem Type features and modifications to existing problems, or they may 

cease relying on the paper file entirely by fully uploading all PAD information, 

including the supporting documentation for any problems not being affected by the 

update.

When updating an existing PAD, States and Tribes must submit complete 

information as required in number one above for each new coal Problem Type 

feature. In addition, States and Tribes must upload new Priority Documentation 

Forms, cost justifications, and other required information to document changes in 

priority or reclamation cost for problems that were contained in the AML Inventory 

prior to the issuance of this Directive. For each Problem Type feature being updated 

States/Tribes will upload associated supporting documents attached (under 

Documents tab) to that specific Problem Type feature.

States and Tribes may continue to rely on existing paper files to support other preexisting problems that are not being modified. They may transition the preDirective PAD to a full electronic format at the same time they add new coal 

Problem Type features or make substantive changes to existing problems, such as 

adding completion information. Updating eAMLIS to eliminate paper-based PADs 

will enhance system capabilities and program reporting. The following example 

illustrates the approval and documentation requirements for PADs containing new 

and pre-existing AML problems.

a. Example PAD – A State decides to re-inventory an existing PA that already 

contains a 500-foot section of Priority 2 dangerous highwall (DH), a Priority 

2 hazardous old mine building (HEF), and 9 acres of unreclaimed Priority 3 

spoil (SA). Upon completion of the field review, the State determines that 

the existing DH is actually 750 feet long, the existing SA is actually 11 acres, 

and the cost to reclaim them is slightly higher than first estimated. In 

addition, the State determines that the HEF was accurately described and 

proposes no revision to that Problem Type feature. Finally, the State located 
A-24

several problems not previously included in eAMLIS: a 300-foot section of 

Priority 2 DH, 4 acres of Priority 3 SA, a Priority 2 Portal (P) and a Priority 

3 haul road (HR).

b. Approval Required – Under the example submission, the State must obtain 

OSMRE approval for the new 300-foot section of Priority 2 DH, the new 4-

acre Priority 3 SA, the new Priority 2 P, and the new Priority 3 HR. To 

obtain OSMRE approval, the State must provide the required Priority 

Documentation Forms for the new section of Priority 2 DH and the Priority 2 

P and supplementary cost calculations and map identifying all problems. 

Finally, for each Problem Type feature being updated States/Tribes will 

upload associated supporting documents attached (under Documents tab) to 

that specific Problem Type feature.

c. Approval Not Required – Under the example submission, the State is not 

required to seek OSMRE approval for the revised units and cost information 

for the specific Problem Type features DH and SA that were originally 

contained in eAMLIS. The State must, however, upload to eAMLIS,

appropriate documentation for each specific problem type feature to support 

the revised units and cost estimates for these preexisting Problem Type 

features. Finally, if the State so chooses, it may upload all the remaining 

supporting information from the paper files for the pre-existing DH, HEF, 

and SA to convert the PAD to a fully electronic format no longer relying on 

the outdated paper OSM-76 Form. Priority Documentation forms are not 

required for Problem Type features that were entered into Legacy AMLIS 

prior to their use unless the existing Priority is being revised or reconsidered.

3. OSMRE Review: OSMRE must expeditiously review any proposed additions to 

eAMLIS and communicate to the State/Tribe any identified deficiencies or 

concerns. If condition warrants, OSMRE may reject the PAD and formally return it 

to the State/Tribe for revision or OSMRE may allow the State/Tribe to supplement 

the submission before making a final decision.

4. OSMRE Approval: To maintain a complete record of Agency decisions, approval 

actions related to PADs must be completed using the approval process contained 

within eAMLIS. Informal approvals may be provided during periods when the 

system is inactive due to maintenance or operational problems, however, all PAD 

approvals must be officially completed in the eAMLIS system.
A-25

CHAPTER 2

ENTERING INFORMATION INTO eAMLIS

After December 12, 2012, information required by this Directive shall be entered directly into 

eAMLIS. The PA constitutes the basic geographic and administrative unit for entering unfunded, 

funded, and completed problems into eAMLIS. The PAD shall include all of the information 

needed to adequately document the submission and to support a “paperless” review by OSMRE. A 

complete submission will include the information entered into the eAMLIS data fields plus 

uploaded documents attached to each new/revised Problem Type feature that contain supporting 

narratives, establish priorities (Priority Documentation Forms), describe how costs were derived, 

and provide geographical locations (maps).

Document files uploaded to eAMLIS should be of a type that allows review by commonly available 

software, such as Microsoft Word, Abobe.pdf, JPEG files, Excel database, or other files that use a 

commonly available viewer. It is important to ensure that a range of users can have access to the 

documents without purchasing special software.

Hard copy files including the paper version of the OSM-76 Form are only required for PADs 

entered into eAMLIS prior to December 12, 2012, where the information is incomplete. Future 

electronic updates to the eAMLIS are essential to effectively manage OSMRE approval procedures 

and to ensure that a consistent quality of information is available on all State and Tribe programs.

When entering a PAD in eAMLIS, follow the guidance outlined in the eAMLIS User Guide. Upon 

entering a PAD in eAMLIS follow each step by completing the blank data fields, checking the 

appropriate answer, giving a narrative response, and uploading the required support documentation. 

The eAMLIS User Guide is available on the “Home” screen in the “Documents” section.

A. Problem Areas (PAs) – New and Revised

Information is kept in the eAMLIS by PA, a uniquely defined geographic area. PAs are 

located within uniquely identified Planning Units (PUs) (see Section C. below and Chapter 

7 for discussions of PUs and PAs). eAMLIS will record reclamation of the AML problems 

in a PA under one or more Program Areas (Pre-SMCRA Grant Program, Emergency 

Reclamation, AMD Set-Aside, etc.) Also, eAMLIS will record reclamation in the cases 

where non-SMCRA resources may be used as AFSs see Section B.3 below). States and 

Tribes should establish new or revise existing PAs as necessary to identify AML known 

problems and capture program accomplishments.

1. Problem Area (PA): Establish a new PA or revise an existing PA that already

contains AML problems. The PA has distinct geographic boundaries and does not 

overlap other PA boundaries or cross PU boundaries. See Chapter 7 for description 

of PAs and PUs. eAMLIS will allow users to record expenditures under multiple 

Program Areas (Pre-SMCRA Coal, Non-Coal, Certified Program 411(h)(1), etc.) in 
A-26

a PA, if necessary.

Note for Certified States & Tribes: When entering eAMLIS information for a certified State 

or Indian Tribal program, establish a new or revise an existing PA as necessary. However, 

to record non-mining related accomplishments, you may need to establish special PAs to 

properly record the accomplishments and expenditures of State/Tribe-wide efforts not tied 

to one specific geographic location. For example, a PA encompassing the State Capitol 

area might be used to record an instance where SMCRA Section 411(h)(2) funds are used to 

support State-wide teacher’s salaries.

2. State/Tribe: eAMLIS will use State two-letter Postal Service Codes and Tribal 

abbreviations as indicated below.

3. Problem Area (PA) Number: The first two characters of a PA Number are letters 

and identify the State or Tribe. The next six characters are numerical and sequential. 

This number is assigned to the PA by the State/Tribe, or by OSMRE in non-program 

States/Tribes, and may only be used once. Certified States and Tribes may choose 

to designate a separate range of PA numbers to record non-mining related 

accomplishments completed with funding provided under SMCRA Sections 

411(h)(1) or 411(h)(2)).

Legend

* = Certified Tribe

^ = Added December 

2020

Tribal Abbreviation Tribal Name

BF Blackfeet

CE Cherokee

CH Cheyenne River

CR Crow*

CW Choctaw^

CY Northern Cheyenne

FB Fort Berthold

FP Fort Peck

HO Hopi

JA Jicarilla Apache

LP Laguna Pueblo

MC Muscogee (Creek)^

NA Navajo Nation*

RB Rocky Boys

SA San Carlos Apache

SU Southern Ute

UB Uintah and Ouray

UM Ute Mountain Ute

WM White Mountain Apache

WR Wind River
A-27

4. Problem Area (PA) Name: The PA name should describe the PA in a unique 

manner (i.e., geographically). No name should be repeated within the same 

State/Tribe. When entering non-mining related accomplishments, Certified States 

and Tribes may prefer to establish a PA name that reflects nature of the expenditures 

under SMCRA Sections 411(h)(1) or 411(h)(2).

B. Program Areas & Alternate Funding Sources – New or Revised

1. Program Information for Uncertified Programs:

Select the SMCRA Program Area that applies to the associated Problem Type being 

entered into eAMLIS. eAMLIS allows for multiple Program Areas to be recorded 

within each PA. If a Problem Type is reclaimed under a Program Area that is 

different from the one that was originally identified for the problem, revise 

accordingly.

To record non-SMCRA funding sources such as EPA grants, State funding, or inkind services, considered AFS, refer sub-Section B.3 below; AFS.

a. Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program (Code: MLR)

– see also Chapter 11 for details on this Program. The AMLER Program 

supports local investment opportunities that provide for sustainable longterm rehabilitation of coalfield economies. OSMRE administers the 

AMLER program and provides eligible states and Tribes with AMLER 

grants and guidance on project eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

b. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Code: BIL) – see also Chapter 12 for 

details on this Program. BIL funds will expand the AML Reclamation 

Program to meet the priorities described in the BIL and the Surface Mining 

Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as amended.

c. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emergencies (Code: EBI) – see also 

Chapter 12 for details on this Program. Coal AML emergencies.

d. STREAM Act (Code: STA) – see page A-34 for more information on the 

Stream Act. Under the STREAM Act States and Tribes are authorized to 

retain up to 30% of the total amount of a BIL grant made annually and 

deposit that amount in a long-term AML reclamation fund. Funds can be 

used for: a) the abatement of the causes and the treatment of the effects of 

acid mine drainage resulting from coal mining practices, including for the 

costs of building, operating, maintaining, and rehabilitating acid mine 

drainage treatment systems; b) the prevention, abatement, and control of 

Subsidence; or c) the prevention, abatement, and control of coal mine fires. 

(Note that there are two coal mine fire problem types in AML-1 and 

eAMLIS: P1/P2 Surface Burning, and P1/P2 Underground Mine Fire.)
A-28

e. Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe – P1, 2, and 3 – (Code: SGA). Program 

Area used to record Priority 1, 2, and 3 coal problems and accomplishments. 

This Program Area also contains historical reclamation accomplishments for 

Certified Programs reclaiming Priority 1, 2, and 3 non-coal Problem Type 

features with SMCRA funds received prior to the 2006 Reauthorization 

amendments.

f. State Emergency Program – (Code: SEA). Program Area used to record 

coal reclamation accomplishments when addressing AML emergency 

conditions under an approved (or pending) State Emergency Program. 

Select the AML problem that best reflects the emergency condition from the 

list of Priority 1 Problem Types.

g. State AMD Set-Aside Program – (Code: AMA). Program Area used to 

record coal mine drainage treatment accomplishments under a State AMD 

Set-Aside program approved under 30 CFR Part 876.

h. State Future Reclamation Set-Aside – (Code: SSA). Program Area used to 

record coal reclamation accomplishments under an approved Future 

Reclamation Set-Aside Program under 30 CFR Part 873.

i. 403(b) Water Supply Restoration Program – (Code: WSB). Program 

Area (with corresponding Problem Type) used to record funds expended for 

the purpose of protecting, repairing, replacing, constructing, or enhancing 

facilities relating to water supply, including water distribution facilities and 

treatment plants to replace water supplies adversely affected by coal mining 

practices.

Note: Expenditures to replace an individual or defined group of adversely affected 

water supplies causing a danger to human health and safety should be recorded 

under the Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe – P1, P2, or P3 (SGA) Program Area as a 

Priority 1 or Priority 2 Polluted Water Human Consumption (PWHC) problem if 

they meet the conditions outlined on the applicable Priority Documentation Form 

under Chapter 4.

j. Coal Insolvent Surety Funding – (Code: CSA). Program Area used to 

record Priority 1 and 2 coal Problem Type features and accomplishments 

where mining occurred between August 3, 1977, and November 5, 1990, and 

the surety of the mining operator became insolvent during such period.

k. Coal Interim Site Funding – (Code: CIA). Program Area used to record 

Priority 1 and 2 coal Problem Type features and accomplishments where 

mining occurred between August 3, 1977, and the date of the approval of the 

permanent regulatory program of the State or Tribe in which the site is 
A-29

located.

l. Watershed Cooperative Agreement Funding – (Code: WCA). Program 

Area used to record coal mine drainage treatment problems funded and 

completed with funding under the OSM Watershed Cooperative Agreement.

m. Clean Streams Initiative Funding – (Code: CLA). Program Area used to 

record coal mine drainage treatment problems funded and completed with 

funding under the Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative Program.

n. Enhancing AML Reclamation Rule Project – (Code: ENH). Program 

Area used to record Priority 1, 2, and 3 coal Problem Type features funded 

and completed under OSMRE’s Enhancing AML Reclamation rule 

published in 1999. The only funds that should be recorded under this 

Program Area are the actual Title IV AML dollars expended by the program 

for construction purposes. Any moneys obtained from the sale of coal used 

to off-set reclamation costs must be entered under an AFS specifically

created to record the non-SMCRA funding under the ENH Program.

(1) ENH Project Example: An AML Enhancement Rule project 

receives $50,000 of Title IV grant moneys and also generates 

$100,000 in moneys by the removal and sale of incidental coal. The 

eAMLIS must be updated to show the $50,000 under the “ENH” 

Program Area and $100,000 under a specific AFS dedicated to such 

projects. This process will allow OSMRE to report on both the Title 

IV expenditures (ENH Program Area) and the reclamation savings to 

the program (AFS).

o. Federal Emergency Program – (Code: EMA). Program Area used to 

record coal reclamation accomplishments when OSMRE addresses AML 

emergency conditions under a Federal Emergency Program. Select the AML 

problem that best reflects the emergency condition from the list of Priority 1 

Problem Types.

p. Federal Reclamation Program – (Code: FRA). Program Area used to 

record coal reclamation accomplishments when OSMRE addresses Priority 

1, 2, or 3 coal Problem Type features in States/Tribes without an approved 

AML reclamation program.

q. Non-Coal (P1, P2, and P3) – (Code: NCA). Program Area used to record 

Priority 1 non-coal problems addressed by uncertified States and Tribes 

under SMCRA Section 409 at the request of a State Governor or governing 

body of a Tribe. This Program Area also contains historical reclamation 

accomplishments for Certified Programs reclaiming Priority 1, 2, and 3 noncoal Problem Type features with pre-AML Reauthorization SMCRA funds 
A-30

distributed prior to October 1, 2007.

r. Non-Coal 411(f) – (Code: NCF). This Program Area contains historical 

reclamation accomplishments for Certified Programs conducting public 

facility work under Section 411(f) with pre-AML Reauthorization SMCRA 

funds distributed prior to October 1, 2007.

s. Other – (Code: PVA). Program Area used to record coal reclamation 

accomplishments that do not fall within one of the defined Program Areas 

above. Please check with OSMRE before recording accomplishments under 

this Program Area to help promote consistency.

t. Remining – (Code: RMA). Program Area used to record remining 

accomplishments. If a Priority 1, 2, or 3 AML Problem Type features no 

longer exists due to remining, States and Tribes may record the 

accomplishment using this Program Area. Any funding recorded must be 

Title IV SMCRA moneys. If remining eliminates an AML problem, the cost 

recorded here will generally be zero, as no Title IV funding will be 

expended.

u. Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe P3 Only – (Code: SGB). This Program 

Area contains historical reclamation accomplishments for Pas where only 

Priority 3 accomplishments exist. All Priority 3 information must be entered 

using the Program Area Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe – P1, P2, P3 (Code: 

SGA). This Program Area is no longer used to enter information into 

eAMLIS.

v. Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe P4 Only – (Code: SGC). This Program 

Area contains historical reclamation accomplishments achieved prior to its 

elimination under the 2006 Reauthorization amendments. Priority 4 

expenditures were to be for the protection, repair, replacement, construction, 

or enhancement of water supply utilities, roads, recreation, and conservation 

facilities adversely affected by coal mining practices. (At the time of 

development of this manual, Priority 4 was also designated for recording 

SMCRA 411I public facility accomplishments by certified programs, 

however, no such data resided in Legacy AMLIS.)

w. Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe P5 Only – (Code: SGD). This Program 

Area contains historical reclamation accomplishments achieved prior to its 

elimination under the 2006 Reauthorization amendments. Funding under 

Section 403(a)(5) was provided for the development of publicly owned land 

adversely affected by coal mining practices including land acquired for 

recreation and historic purposes, conservation, reclamation purposes, and 

open space benefits.
A-31

x. Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe – Research – (Code: SGE). This Program 

Area contains no historical reclamation accomplishments. Originally, it was 

for uncertified programs that conducted research and demonstration projects 

previously eligible for AML funding under SMCRA Section 403(a)(4) and 

considered Priority 4 projects. The 1990 amendments to SMCRA deleted 

Research and Demonstration projects from the list of priorities and 

renumbered the five remaining priorities under Section 403(a). (Project 

accomplishments previously recorded as Priority 4 (Research and 

Demonstration) were to be found under this category, however, no 

accomplishments existed as of the date of this Directive.)

y. Rural Abandoned Mine Program – (Code: RUA). This Program Area 

contains historical reclamation accomplishments for the reclamation of 

Priority 1, 2, and 3 coal Problem Type features achieved with Title IV 

funding under the RAMP program administered by the NRCS of the USDA. 

Because the RAMP program may continue reclamation with non-SMCRA 

funding, any future accomplishments should be recorded under an AFS.

2. Program Information for Certified Programs: The 2006 amendments to 

SMCRA provided new funding sources for certified States and Tribes under 

Sections 411(h)(1) and 411(h)(2) of SMCRA. Certified States and Tribes began 

receiving the new Prior Balance Replacement Funds under SMCRA 411(h)(1) in 

2008. In 2009, certified programs received both Prior Balance Funds and Certified 

in Lieu Funds; SMCRA Sections 411(h)(1), and 411(h)(2), respectively. Certified 

States and Tribes expending the new 411(h)(1) or (h)(2) funds should enter 

accomplishment data into one of the four new Program Areas, as applicable. When 

entering non-mining related projects, certified States and Tribes must provide 

information on the SMCRA funding source, project accomplishments, and project 

expenditures. This will allow OSMRE to report on the accomplishments of the 

program with the new sources of funding received under the 2006 amendments, 

AMLER and the BIL.

To record non-SMCRA funding sources, such as EPA grants, State funding, or inkind services considered AFS, refer to sub-Section B.3 below; AFS.

Pre-Reauthorization Funding

Reclamation Type Program Area Problem Type

Coal Reclamation to 

Maintain Certification

Pre-SMCRA Coal 

State/Tribe- P1, P2, or P3

Choose appropriate P1, P2, 

or P3 Problem Type

Non-Coal Reclamation Non-Coal (P1, P2, or P3) Choose appropriate P1, P2, 

or P3 Problem Type

Public Facility or 

Infrastructure Projects Non-Coal 411(f) Choose appropriate PF Problem Type
A-32

Emergency Abatement State Emergency Program Choose appropriate P1 

Problem Type

Post-2006 Reauthorization Funding

Using the Program Areas below, Certified Programs record accomplishments 

achieved with Prior Balance Funds and Certified In-Lieu Funds (411(h)(1), and 

411(h)(2), respectively) distributed after October 1, 2007, under Section 411 of 

SMCRA. Refer to the table at the bottom of this section for a guide to recording 

Program Areas and Problem Types for specific expenditures.

a. Certified Program 411(h)(1) – (Code: CH1). Select this Program Area 

along with the appropriate coal Problem Type to record coal reclamation 

accomplishments when maintaining certification status with funding 

provided under Section 411(h)(1) of SMCRA (see discussion below for 

entering State Emergency Program accomplishments).

b. Certified Program 411(h)(2) – (Code: CH2). Select this Program Area 

along with the appropriate coal Problem Type to record coal reclamation 

accomplishments when maintaining certification status with funding 

provided under Section 411(h)(2) of SMCRA (see discussion below for 

entering State Emergency Program accomplishments).

c. Certified Program 411(h)(1) – Non-Coal (Code: NH1). When using 

411(h)(1) funds, select this Program Area to record accomplishments in the 

reclamation of minerals other than coal, the impacts related to mineral 

development, or when conducting non-mining related expenditures.

(1) Minerals Other Than Coal – Expenditures made to address the health, 

safety, and environmental impacts of minerals other than coal should 

be recorded under this Program Area along with the appropriate 

health, safety, or environmental Problem Type (see Priority 1, 2, and 

3 Problem Type descriptions under Chapter 3, below).

(2) Impacts of Mineral Development – Expenditures consistent with 

mineral impact abatement and public facility enhancement activities 

under Section 411(f) (Priority F) should be recorded under this 

Program Area along with the PF Problem Type in Section H, below).

(3) Non-Mining Related Expenditures – Expenditures for non-mining 

related purposes should be recorded in this Program Area. Select the 

“Non-Mining Related Expenditures” Problem Type and enter a 

concise narrative describing the activity. Examples could include 

State infrastructure, government salaries for a specific program, 

health/human services, education, business grants, etc.
A-33

d. Certified Program 411(h)(2) – Non-Coal (Code: NH2). When using 

411(h)(2) funds, select this Program Area to record accomplishments in the 

reclamation of minerals other than coal, the impacts related to mineral 

development, or when conducting non-mining related projects.

(1) Minerals other than coal – Expenditures made to address the health, 

safety, and environmental impacts of minerals other than coal should 

be recorded under this Program Area along with the appropriate 

health, safety or environmental Problem Type (see Priority 1, 2, and 3 

Problem Type descriptions under Chapter 3 below).

(2) Impacts of Mineral Development – Expenditures consistent with 

mineral impact abatement and public facility enhancement activities 

under Section 411(f) (Priority F) should be recorded under this 

Program Area along with the PF Problem Type in Section H below).

(3) Non-Mining Related Expenditures – Expenditures for non-mining 

related purposes should be recorded in this Program Area. Select the 

“Non-mining Related Expenditures” Problem Type and enter a 

concise narrative describing the activity. Examples could include 

State infrastructure, government salaries for a specific program, 

health/human services, education, business grants, etc.

By entering information under one of the four programs referenced above, certified 

States and Tribes will ensure that eAMLIS information is properly encoded to report 

accomplishments achieved with post-2006 Reauthorization funding.

e. Certified Program Emergency Projects. Emergency funds provided to 

certified programs are derived from coal fees and distributed under Section 

402(g) of SMCRA. Consequently, expenditures related to emergency 

reclamation in Certified States and Tribes have been and will continue to be 

entered under the Program Area “State Emergency Program” (Code: SEA) 

with the costs and units allocated to the appropriate Priority 1 Problem 

Types.

Post-IIJA (BIL) Reauthorization Funding

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) (Pub. L. No. 117-58), also known as the Infrastructure 

Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), enacted on November 15, 2021, extends new fee collections 

through September, 2035.

Three new Program areas were developed out of the IIJA/BIL and STREAM Act legislation 

respectively:
A-34

1. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) program funding is different than fee-based programs 

in several ways:

a. BIL funds cannot be used to reclaim non-coal problems.

b. BIL funds may be used on P1, P2, or P3 problem types. This includes standalone

P3s that previously could not be reclaimed except through elevation and Adjacency. 

Now, a P3 problem type (including AMD treatment projects) can utilize the BIL 

program code without relying on Adjacency or elevating the P3 problem to a P2 or 

P1 relationship.

c. BIL funds may be used on AMD treatment problems that are or are not in a 

Qualified Hydrologic Unit (QHU). (Fee-based programs still require that AMD 

treatment problems are within QHUs.)

d. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds may be used on emergency problems. For this 

unique circumstance see below (2.a) regarding discussion of the EBI program code 

designated for BIL Emergency problems.

2. Emergency problems can be abated using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds under the 

new Program code: EBI (also known as Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emergencies).

a. For any emergencies using the EBI code, follow the same data entry procedures as 

the State Emergency Program (SEA) on page 28. Enter the P1 problem type and 

then select “EBI: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emergency” in the Program 

dropdown menus if the state/Tribe is utilizing BIL funds to abate an emergency.

3. Under the STREAM Act States and Tribes are authorized to retain up to 30% of the total 

amount of a BIL grant made annually and deposit that amount in a long-term AML 

reclamation fund. Funds can be used for:

a. the abatement of the causes and the treatment of the effects of acid mine drainage 

resulting from coal mining practices, including for the costs of building, operating, 

maintaining, and rehabilitating acid mine drainage treatment systems;

b. the prevention, abatement, and control of Subsidence; or

c. the prevention, abatement, and control of coal mine fires. (Note that there are two 

coal mine fire problem types in AML-1 and eAMLIS: P1/P2 Surface Burning, and 

P1/P2 Underground Mine Fire.) 

Post-2006 Reauthorization Funding

Reclamation Type Program Area Problem Type

Coal reclamation to maintain 

certification using SMCRA 

411(h)(1) funds

Certified 411(h)(1) Choose appropriate P1, 

P2, or P3 Problem Type

Coal reclamation to maintain 

certification using SMCRA 

411(h)(2) funds

Certified 411(h)(2) Choose appropriate P1, 

P2, or P3 Problem Type

Non-coal reclamation using 

SMCRA 411(h)(1) funds Certified 411(h)(1) Non-Coal Choose appropriate P1, P2, or P3 Problem Type
A-35

Non-coal reclamation using 

SMCRA 411(h)(2) funds Certified 411(h)(2) Non-Coal Choose appropriate P1, P2, or P3 Problem Type

Public facility or 

infrastructure projects 

addressing impacts of mineral 

development using SMCRA 

411(h)(1) funds

Certified 411(h)(1) Non-Coal Choose appropriate PF 

Problem Type

Public facility or 

infrastructure projects 

addressing impacts of mineral 

development using SMCRA 

Certified 411(h)(2) Non-Coal Choose appropriate PF 

Problem Type

Non-Mining related activities 

using SMCRA 411(h)(1) 

funds

Certified 411(h)(1) Non-Coal

Choose “Certified 

411(h)(1) Non-Mining 

Expenditure” and enter 

description as required

Non-Mining related activities 

using SMCRA 411(h)(2) 

funds

Certified 411(h)(2) Non-Coal

Choose “Certified 

411(h)(2) Non-Mining 

Expenditure” and enter 

description as required

Emergency Abatement State Emergency Program Choose appropriate P1 

Problem Type

Post-2021 Reauthorization Funding

Reclamation Type Program Area Problem Type

Coal reclamation Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(BIL)

Choose appropriate P1, 

P2, or P3 Problem Type

Coal reclamation emergencies Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

Emergencies (EBI)

Choose appropriate P1 

Problem Type

AMD treatment 

P1/P2 Subsidence

P1/P2 Surface Burning

STREAM Act (STA) Choose appropriate P1, 

P2, or P3 Problem Type

Special Funding Programs

For more information on the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program 

please see Chapter 11.

Reclamation Type Program Area Problem Type
A-36

Economic Revitalization* 

(and AML reclamation or coal 

emergencies)

Abandoned Mine Land 

Economic Revitalization 

(AMLER)

Choose appropriate P1, 

P2, or P3 Problem Type

*Requires an economic and/or a community development component.

3. Alternate Funding Sources: Whenever reclamation is accomplished by nonSMCRA funding sources, the reclamation costs and associated units must be entered 

as an AFS. States and Tribes may create, modify, and delete AFS to capture nonSMCRA funding used in reclamation. Typical AFS are grants from the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State/Tribe grants or funds, and in-kind 

services provided by citizen groups. In addition, for projects approved under the 

Enhancing AML Reclamation Rule, the revenues generated from the sale of coal 

that are used to off-set the cost of reclamation, must be entered as an AFS.

Reclamation project costs and reclamation units should be allocated between the 

traditional Program Areas of funding and any AFS to properly represent program 

accomplishments. For example, if the EPA, State water quality grant funds, and 

AMD Set-Aside funding (AMA) are used to restore water quality to a stream, the 

eAMLIS PA would have one SMCRA funding source (AMA), and two additional 

AFS; each with allocated units and costs that, when totaled, represent all project 

accomplishments achieved.

4. Administrative And Site Location Information

a. State/Tribe: Identify the applicable State or Tribe for the AML Problems 

being recorded.

b. Planning Unit (PU) Number and Name: This number and corresponding 

name is assigned by the State/Tribe or by OSMRE in non-program 

States/Tribes to a uniquely defined geographic area. State/Tribe offices may 

have map overlays that identify the existing PU boundaries on a U.S. 

Geological Survey State Hydrological Unit Map. These overlays may also 

be found in OSMRE Field Offices. As discussed throughout this manual, 

individual AML problems within specific PAs and PUs will be described and 

recorded in eAMLIS. See Chapter 7 for additional instructions for creating 

PUs and PAs.

c. Date Prepared: The date the PA was initially created.

d. Date Revised: The date the PA was last revised.

e. Prepared by: The name of the individual who entered the information.
A-37

f. Telephone Number: The telephone number (including area code) of the 

individual who entered the information.

g. Field Contact Name / Telephone Number: If necessary, enter the name and 

telephone number of the field representative OSMRE reviewers may contact 

for questions about the site.

h. Coordinates: Locate the latitude and longitude point at the geographic 

center of the PA and enter the coordinates into the appropriate blank. Enter 

the coordinate in degrees, minutes, and seconds or in decimal degrees in the 

appropriate blank. Completing this activity will auto-fill the other important 

location information such as county, watershed, Federal Information 

Processing Standards (FIPS) Code, Congressional District, and Hydrologic 

Unit Code (HUC).

i. County: The County in which the PA (PA) is located.

j. Type of Mining: Identify the type of mining activity found in the PA. The 

choices are Surface, Underground, both Surface and Underground, or 

Processing.

k. Surface Owner: Identify the type of surface ownership of lands in the 

affected area. For applicable owner(s) indicate percentage (%) of ownership 

based on acreage of affected area. Total percentage indicated must equal 

100%. Figures must be rounded to the nearest whole number.

l. Ore Type: Select the ore type along with a Priority 1, 2, or 3 Problem Type.

C. Problem Priority

When entering unit and cost information for each AML problem, eAMLIS will require you 

to select from a list that has problem types with an associated funding Priority. Initially, 

Section 403 of SMCRA recognized ten funding priorities: Priority 1 through Priority 10. 

Over the years, legislative changes have reduced the range of priorities to where, currently, 

after the 2006 Reauthorization, Section 403(a) of SMCRA recognizes three funding 

priorities: Priority 1, Priority 2, and Priority 3. These are commonly referred to as the 

health and safety priorities (Priority 1 & 2) and the land and water resource impacts 

priority (Priority 3). [These are further often referred to as simply P1s, P2s, and P3s.]

To improve data management and reporting and to maintain access to historical 

information in eAMLIS, the system recognizes three active priorities (P1, P2, and P3) and 

two historical priorities (Priority 4 and 5). In addition, we have assigned Priority “codes” 

to other problem types to facilitate data management and to improve query capabilities. 

These are Priority “B” for 403(b) Water Supplies, Priority “F” for accomplishments under 

SMCRA 411(f) and Priority “H” for 411(h)(1) and 411(h)(2) Non-mining Expenditures. 
A-38

Federal and State Emergency projects completed under Section 410 of SMCRA should 

select the Priority 1 Problem Type that best reflects the problem being addressed.

Once you have selected the appropriate Problem Type/Priority, you will enter the unit/cost 

information and upload the required supporting documentation, Priority Documentation 

Form, cost justification, map, etc.

The following explains the type of problem priority and documentation requirements.

1. Priority 1 (P1): An AML problem meeting the conditions under Section 403(a)(1) 

[coal], or 411(c)(1) [non-coal] of SMCRA concerning the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of mining 

practices or adjacent land and water reclamation. Projects being recorded under 

State Emergency Program (SEA), Federal Emergency Program (FEA), and 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emergencies (EBI) should select the Priority 1 

Problem Type that best reflects the problem being addressed.

To support and document a Priority 1 designation, the Preparer will upload to 

eAMLIS a completed electronic Priority Documentation Form(s) for each AML 

problem being entered into eAMLIS. This form contains a series of questions that 

must be answered to demonstrate that the AML problem meets the conditions for a 

Priority 1 designation (see Chapter 4 for more information). Priority Documentation 

Forms are not required for adjacent land and water resources/coal reclamation 

Problem Types, nor are they required for Emergency Program activities (using 

codes: SEA, FEA, or EBI). See discussion under Priority 3, below, for entering land 

and water reclamation adjacent to a health and safety problem.

2. Priority 2 (P2): An AML problem meeting the conditions under Section 403(a)(2) 

[coal] or 411(c)(2) [non-coal] of SMCRA concerning the protection of public health 

and safety from adverse effects of mining practices or adjacent land and water 

reclamation.

To support and document a Priority 2 designation, the Preparer will upload to 

eAMLIS a completed electronic Priority Documentation Form(s) for each AML 

problem being entered into eAMLIS. This form contains a series of questions that 

must be answered to demonstrate that the AML problem meets the conditions for a 

Priority 2 designation (see Chapter 4 for more information). Priority Documentation 

Forms are not required for adjacent land and water resources coal reclamation 

Problem Type. See discussion under Priority 3 below for entering land and water 

reclamation adjacent to a health and safety problem.

3. Priority 3. (P3): An AML problem category meeting the conditions under Section 

403(a)(3) [coal] or 411(c)(3) [non-coal] of SMCRA concerning the restoration of 

land and water resources and the environment previously degraded by adverse effects 

of mining practices. Priority 3 is determined by the State or Tribe based upon the 
A-39

assessment that the site is inadequately reclaimed and is degrading land or water 

resources. There are no Priority Documentation Forms for land and water 

resources/coal reclamation Problem Type, however, Chapter 6 (Estimating and 

Documenting AML Reclamation Costs) contains a supplemental sheet to upload to 

eAMLIS in support of Priority 3, reclamation cost estimates.

4. Adjacent Land and Water Resources: The 2006 amendments to SMCRA 

reclassified certain land and water reclamation costs as higher priority expenditures. 

(Adjacency is not a necessary consideration when utilizing AMLER, BIL, or 

STREAM Act program funds. In short, Adjacency only applies to traditional feebased program funds and codes.) Consequently, eAMLIS allows States and Tribes to

record, as a Priority 1 or 2 expenditure, the costs of land and water restoration that 

are geographically contiguous (adjacent) to a site that contained or still contains a 

Priority 1 or Priority 2 health and safety problem (see Chapter 11 for definitions of 

adjacent land and water reclamation and geographically contiguous).

For example, Priority 3 spoil that is adjacent to a Priority 1 DH may now be recorded 

as Priority 1 expenditure. In addition, a Priority 3 mine opening (MO) that is 

adjacent to a Priority 2 hazardous facility may be recorded as Priority 2 expenditure. 

As noted above, this also applies to Priority 1 and 2 sites previously completed under 

a State or Tribe program. For example, if a State completed the reclamation of a 

Priority 2 dangerous refuse pile embankment in the late 1980’s but was unable to 

address an adjacent Priority 3 dilapidated load-out structure at that time, the 

estimated cost to reclaim the structure may now be recorded in the eAMLIS as an 

unfunded Priority 2 cost.

eAMLIS provides an automated approach to designating that specific Priority 3 

Problem Type features are adjacent to specific a Priority 1 or 2 Problem Type 

features. Priority documentation forms are not required for the Priority 3 

Problem Types features being elevated based upon adjacency.

5. Adjacency Not Applicable to Non-Coal Problems – When conducting Priority 1 

projects under Section 409 of SMCRA at the request of the Governor, Priority 3 noncoal problems adjacent to a high priority non-coal problem must not be elevated to 

the higher priority expenditure level. Because the 2006 AML Reauthorization 

targeted funding towards the completion of all remaining coal problems, it is not 

appropriate to elevate non-coal Priority 3 land and water resources to the higher 

priority of a geographically contiguous health and safety problem. (Adjacency is 

also not necessary when considering AMLER, BIL, and STREAM Act programs.)

6. Priority 4 (P4): Congress eliminated Priority 4 as part of the December 2006 AML 

Reauthorization legislation. Please contact the eAMLIS administrator before 

attempting to enter any Priority 4 accomplishments. Priority 4 expenditures were 

those related to the protection, replacement, construction, or enhancement of public 

facilities adversely affected by coal mining practices. While eAMLIS no longer 
A-40

allows data entry for Priority 4 problems, eAMLIS does contain historic 

accomplishments with funding received prior to the 2006 Reauthorization sources.

It should be noted here for historical clarity that Legacy AMLIS allowed the entry of 

accomplishments for Section 411I projects under Priority 4. The Section 411I

projects were those related to the protection, repair, replacement, construction or 

enhancement of water supply utilities, roads and other such facilities serving the 

public adversely affected by mineral mining and processing practices, and the 

construction of public facilities in communities impacted by coal or other mineral 

mining or processing practices as they relate to the priorities stated in SMCRA 411I.

7. Priority 4 (Pre-SMCRA Coal Research): As of the date of this Directive, no 

Priority 4 Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Research existed in the AML Inventory. In 

addition, no further reporting should occur under this Priority. Research and 

demonstration projects were once eligible for AML funding under SMCRA Section 

403(a)(4) and considered Priority 4 projects. The 1990 amendments to SMCRA 

deleted Research and Demonstration projects from the list of priorities and 

renumbered the five remaining priorities under Section 403(a). At the time, OSM 

proposed to record Priority 4 (Research and Demonstration) completed prior to the 

1990 amendments under the category “Research.” No such accomplishments were 

ever recorded.

8. Priority 5 (P5): Congress eliminated Priority 5 as part of the December 2006 AML 

Reauthorization legislation. Please contact the eAMLIS administrator before 

attempting to enter any Priority 5 accomplishments. Priority 5 expenditures were for 

the development of publicly owned land adversely affected by coal mining practices, 

including land acquired for recreation and historic purposes, conservation, 

reclamation purposes, and open space benefits. While eAMLIS no longer allows 

data entry for Priority 5 problems, eAMLIS does contain historic accomplishments 

with funding received prior to the 2006 Reauthorization sources. As of the date of 

this Directive, the only Priority 5 accomplishments recorded were in Wyoming and 

Virginia.

9. Priority F (PF): Prior to AML Reauthorization and Legacy AMLIS modernization, 

Certified States and Tribes entered accomplishments under SMCRA 411(f) as “PF” 

Problem Types. Section 411(f) expenditures were those made because the Governor 

of a State or the head of a governing body of a Tribe determines there is a need for 

activities or construction of specific public facilities related to the coal or minerals 

industry in an area impacted by coal or minerals development. As of the date of this 

Directive, Wyoming, Alaska and the Hopi and Navajo Nation have recorded 

accomplishments under Priority F.

Certified States and Tribes will continue to record post-AML Reauthorization 

expenditures for the construction of specific public facilities related to the coal or 

minerals industry in areas impacted by coal or minerals development as a Priority F 

accomplishment. To do so, they will select the appropriate Priority F Problem Type 
A-41

and then also select the Program Area funding source (Certified Program 411(h)(1) 

Non-Coal or 411(h)(2) Non-Coal). By selecting the appropriate PF Problem Type in 

conjunction with a Program Area of either Certified Program 411(h)(1) Non-Coal or 

411(h)(2) Non-Coal, eAMLIS information will be properly encoded to report these 

types of public facility related accomplishments achieved with the post-2006 

Reauthorization funding.

There are no Priority Documentation forms associated with this Priority. Relevant 

information, such as completion date, costs, and information on the scope of work is 

entered into eAMLIS through the completion data module.

10. Priority H (H): This priority is being established with the issuance of this Directive 

to record AML expenditures and accomplishments related to non-mining 

expenditures by Certified States and Tribes. Under rulemaking completed by 

OSMRE in November 2008, certified programs have the option of expending postAML Reauthorization funds received under Sections 411(h)(1) and 411(h)(2) for 

non-mining related activities, such as transportation, education, or energy 

development. eAMLIS will now record these non-mining expenditures as completed 

costs so that the information is available for annual reporting to Congress.

There are no Priority Documentation forms associated with this priority. Relevant 

information, including final costs and information on the scope of work, is entered 

into eAMLIS through the completion data module.

11. Priority B (PB) Water Supplies (WS) – Section 403(b): This priority (and 

corresponding Problem Type/Program Area) is being established with the issuance of 

this Directive to record AML expenditures and accomplishments under Section 

403(b) for the for the purpose of protecting, repairing, replacing, constructing, or 

enhancing facilities relating to water supply, including water distribution facilities 

and treatment plants, to replace water supplies adversely affected by coal mining 

practices. Because this activity is authorized by SMCRA Section 403(b), there is no 

formal health, safety, or environmental priority associated with the work. Chapter 4 

contains a Water Supply Restoration Documentation Form to help guide information 

collection and to support data entry into eAMLIS. The WS Restoration 

Documentation Form must be uploaded to eAMLIS. An important distinction to 

note here is that Priority B Water Supply expenditures differ from those made to 

address Priority 1 or 2 health and safety problems under Sections 403(a)(1) and (a)(2) 

because of polluted water. Projects that specifically address health and safety 

problems should be recorded as a Priority 1 or 2 based upon the results of completing 

the required Priority Documentation Form for PWHC. If completion of the PWHC 

Priority Documentation Form does not yield a Priority 1 or 2 designation, the

activities may be evaluated to determine if they qualify as a Priority B WS problem 

under SMCRA 403(b) (see WS Problem Type under Chapter 3 below and the WS 

Documentation Form in Chapter 4).
A-42

12. Emergencies – BIL Emergencies, State Emergency Program & Federal 

Emergency Program: For purposes of eAMLIS, Federal Emergencies (Code: 

EMA), BIL Emergencies (Code: EBI), and State Program (Code: SEA) emergency 

projects are recorded when work is completed and should be recorded using the 

Priority 1 Problem Type that most accurately reflects the emergency condition. 

There are no Priority Documentation Forms required to enter problems as an 

emergency project. See Chapter 9 of this manual for instructions for entering 

emergency reclamation into the Inventory. (Note that although Priority 

Documentation Forms are not required for Emergencies, a Priority Documentation 

Form may already exist in eAMLIS for problems that were previously not considered 

an emergency but site conditions deteriorated rendering that problem an emergency 

requiring immediate remedies.)
A-43

D. Priority 1, 2, & 3 Problem Type Unit/Cost Information

eAMLIS requires unit and cost information for all Priority 1, 2, and 3 Problem Type 

features. Each entry will require that the units and cost be assigned to a Program Area 

(funding source). All Priority 1, 2, and 3 costs/units should be distributed among Problem 

Types (see Chapter 3) and the three status categories: unfunded, funded, and completed, as 

described below.

The following are the Problem Types and applicable units for recording costs:

Priority 1 & 2 Problem Types

Code Description English Work Unit Metric Work Unit

CS Clogged Streams Miles Kilometers

CSL Clogged Stream Lands Acres Hectares

DH Dangerous Highwalls Feet Meters

DI Dangerous Impoundments Count Count

DPE Dangerous Piles and Embankments Acres Hectares

DS Dangerous Slides Acres Hectares

FLD Flooding Acres Hectares

GHE Gases: Hazardous/Explosive Count Count

UMF Underground Mine Fires Acres Hectares

HEF Hazardous Equip & Facilities Count Count

HWB Hazardous Water Bodies Count Count

IRW Industrial/Residential Waste Acres Hectares

P Portals Count Count

PWAI Polluted Water: Agricultural & Industrial Count Count

PWHC Polluted Water: Human Consumption Count Count

S Subsidence Acres Hectares

SB Surface Burning Acres Hectares

VO Vertical Openings Count Count
A-44

Priority 3 Problem Types

ADJACENCY: Please refer to the discussion below on adjacent land and water resources 

to record restoration costs of Priority 3 land and water problems that are adjacent to Priority 

1 or 2 problems. (NOTE: Adjacency only applies to the AML Fee-Based funded problems; 

it does not apply to BIL Program funded problems.) 

1. Reporting Problem Type Cost and Units: Distribute the cost and applicable units 

among the identified Problem Types features. Round units to one decimal place. 

Round dollar values to nearest whole dollar. Attributing all the project cost to one 

Problem Type feature is only appropriate if other Problem Types were incidental 

to the reclamation. In other words, all Priority 1 and 2 features should have 

unique costs structures, while Priority 3 features may, if incidental to the Priority 

1 or 2 Problem Type, be attributed to a P1 or P2 feature. For example, if a SA is 

needed to backfill a DH, all costs should be allocated to the DH and zero costs to the 

SA.

2. Dividing Costs and Units Among Several Problem Types: When two or more

Problem Type problems are reclaimed at the same time, the Preparer should use 

available information to divide the costs and units between the reclaimed Problem 

Type features and/or funding types. For example, when reclaiming Problem Type 

that are closely related, such as a Hazardous Water Body (HWB) or a Haul Road 

(HR) associated with a DH, you would identify the costs for draining with the water 

body and assign a cost amount to the Problem Type HWB. Regrading and 

revegetation costs associated with reclaiming the haul road should be assigned to 

Code Description English Work Unit Metric Work Unit

SA Spoil Area Acre Hectare

BE Bench Acre Hectare

PI Pits Acre Hectare

GO Gob Acre Hectare

SL Slurry Acre Hectare

HR Haul Road Acre Hectare

MO Mine Opening Count Count

SP Slump Acre Hectare

DH Highwall Feet Meter

EF Equipment/Facility Count Count

DP Industrial/Residential Waste Acre Hectare

WA Water Problems Gallons Liter

O Other Count Count

WS Water Supplies Count Count
A-45

that feature. The DH should be assigned the backfilling, regrading, and revegetation 

costs specific to its project area. Finally, common, or shared costs, such as 

mobilization, demobilization, and sediment control can be prorated accordingly.

3. Cost Documentation: The cost numbers entered into eAMLIS must be supported 

by more detailed information that describes how the costs were developed. Costs 

for unfunded projects may follow the Cost Guidelines (Chapter 6) or reflect more 

refined estimates developed by the State or Tribe using program specific 

information. Costs for funded projects may follow the Cost Guidelines or reflect the 

actual contract amount. Costs for completed projects must reflect actual 

construction.

4. Adjacent Priority 3 Land and Water Resources: Once you select the appropriate 

Problem Type(s) for the Priority 3 land and water reclamation problem(s) at the site, 

you will then be able to designate if a specific Priority 3 Problem Type feature is 

adjacent (geographically contiguous) to a specific health and safety problem. 

Therefore, you will need to enter Priority 1 and 2 Problem Type feature into 

eAMLIS before you enter the adjacent Priority 3 Problem Type features you intend 

to designate. Completing this process ensures that the associated costs are assigned 

to the higher priority for tracking and accomplishment reporting. NOTE: Adjacency 

only applies to AML Fee-Based programs.

5. Multiple Program Areas and Alternate Funding Sources: Multiple funding 

resources (Program Areas and AFS) are sometimes used to reclaim AML problems 

through interagency agreements, partnerships, landowner participation, or other 

cooperative efforts. If multiple sources provide funding for specific parts of a 

reclamation project, then costs should be divided accordingly. Use your best 

judgment to allocate costs by Program Area and/or AFS to each resource. These 

may be rough estimates until the reclamation is completed.

Note: When multiple programs are used to reclaim one AML problem, supporting Priority 

Documentation Forms, cost calculations, and other information should be uploaded to 

separate Problem Type entries to ensure that accomplishments are accurately recorded by 

funding source.

Typical SMCRA and Non-SMCRA funding resources (Program Areas and AFSs) can 

include, but are not limited to:

a. Other federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National 

Park Service, or U.S. Forest Service programs;

b. Other State, Tribe, or local government organization’s non-OSMRE funding;

c. Fishing or recreation organizations;
A-46

d. Watershed/environmental organizations;

e. In-kind services provided by private companies or various organizations;

f. Other OSMRE funding sources, i.e., Watershed Cooperative Agreement 

(WCA) or projects may be partially funded with 30% AMD Set-Aside 

(AMA) funds, AMLER, BIL, BIL Emergencies and STREAM Act funds. 

These should be shown as separate funding sources; and

g. Net proceeds from the sale of coal mined “incidental” to the AML project,

i.e., if projects carried out under the February 12, 1999, “Enhancing AML 

Reclamation” rule generate money from the sale of coal mined incidental to 

the AML project, the net proceeds are applied to the project funding and are 

shown as a separate AFS.

6. Reclamation Achieved Without AML Fund Moneys: When AML Problem Type 

features have been abated in some way without the use of any AML Fund moneys, 

such as private reclamation, remining, natural causes, etc., the cost figure to be 

entered into the completed column should be zero since no AML funds were used.

7. Annual Report Accomplishments: It is important to enter project completion 

information into eAMLIS prior to October 1, even if minor cleanup and final 

inspection remains to be done. This is because all AML Program accomplishments 

for OSMRE’s Annual Report to Congress are taken directly from eAMLIS on 

October 1st of each year. The OSMRE Annual Report will include only 

information entered in eAMLIS prior to that date. If data entry is delayed until 

the final contract inspection but the completion date is recorded as being a preOctober 1st date, then information will not appear in OSMRE’s Annual Report.

8. Unfunded, Funded, and Completed Cost – Timing and Resources:

a. Unfunded Portion. Identify the Problem Type feature units and estimate the 

moneys needed for reclamation. It is a best practice to use a 5-year detailed 

cost estimate (with evidentiary annotation) of similar problem types to 

generate a reliable figure. If no other information is available, the Preparer 

may use the cost guidelines contained in Chapter 6 of these instructions. 

However, these guidelines were revised in 2019-20 and OSMRE believes 

that estimates based on recent local or regional information for similar 

projects are more reliable. (OSMRE suggests using project costs within 

the most recent 5 years to generate reliable estimates.)

b. Funded Portion. Report the units and costs of funded reclamation work 

when OSMRE approves an ATP or when a construction contract is signed 

that will result in reclamation of the Problem Type feature. Divide the 

reclamation contract cost between the Problem Types features to be 
A-47

reclaimed. As the funded portion of the PA increases, the unfunded portion 

should usually decrease. Units and costs for some Program Areas are 

initially entered as funded (see PAD SUBMISSION GUIDE in Chapter 1).

c. Completed Portion. As required by 30 CFR §§ 886.21 and 885.20, you 

must report program accomplishments by updating the information in the 

completed columns for units and costs. An AML reclamation project is 

considered completed for purposes of the AML Inventory when 

construction is complete. Completed costs should reflect final contract 

costs for construction only.

d. Minor adjustments in the final contract amount that occur between 

completion of construction and termination of the contract do not have to be 

included in eAMLIS. In addition, unanticipated maintenance costs after 

project completion do not have to be included in eAMLIS unless there is 

major remedial work. Long-term recurring costs, such as annual 

amounts needed for operation and maintenance of a treatment facility, 

should be recorded each year in eAMLIS as an added completed cost. 

Units and costs for some Program Areas are initially entered as completed 

(see PAD SUBMISSION GUIDE in Chapter 1).

To record long-term recurring reclamation costs States and Tribes must 

update eAMLIS to account for ongoing long-term reclamation costs not 

included in the initial construction of a project. The timing of data entry into 

eAMLIS is determined according to the update requirements of the Program 

Area. If they are related to routine Priority 1, 2, or 3 coal projects, they 

should be entered at the time of the ATP. If the costs are in support of an 

AMD Set-Aside project, they should be entered at least annually along with 

a specific completion date. The costs should reflect direct expenditures 

associated with AML problem abatement (including chemicals, labor, repairs 

& maintenance including recapitalization, and sludge disposal). Consultant 

contracts and agency personnel expenditures should only be included if they 

are an essential component of the day-to-day abatement activity such as 

routine site labor. Design contracts and any agency management costs should 

not be entered. When entering long-term recurring costs into eAMLIS, the 

units of reclamation may change or remain the same. Each new recurring 

cost entry can and should include a revised flow rate (to accommodate

changes to a stream’s dynamic conditions – periods of drought or extremely 

rainy seasons.) Care should be taken to ensure that the cost is updated only 

if the current eAMLIS entry already accounts for the total units of expected 

benefit. Each recurring entry should include a succinct statement in the 

Comments section of the PAD to briefly describe the changes and details of 

the entry/refinement.

e. Completion date in eAMLIS. For OSMRE to provide Congress with more 
A-48

accurate information on AML accomplishments a completion date must be 

entered for the reclamation of all problems completed. (Because this 

requirement began March 31, 2001, completion dates may not exist for 

entries prior to that date.)

E. Priority 4, 5, “F”, And “H” Problem Type Unit/Cost Information

The table below contains the Problem Types for Priority 4, 5, “F”, and “H” problems.

1. Priority 4 and 5 Problems: The 2006 amendments to SMCRA eliminated Priorities 

4 and 5 for future projects, however, the eAMLIS will continue to contain historical 

information on Priority 4 and 5 projects completed prior to the amendments. At the 

time of this Directive, the States and Tribes had recorded accomplishments under 

Priority 4 Surface Mining Reclamation (SMR), Priority 5 Public Utilities (UTL), 

and Priority 5 Historical Purpose (HST).

2. Priority “F” 411(f) Public Facility Infrastructure Expenditures: As a result of 

the 2006 AML Reauthorization, Certified State and Tribe programs are required, 

when expending funds received under SMCRA Section 411(h)(1), to give priority to 

addressing the impacts of mineral development. In addition, Certified State and 

Priority Code Description English Work Unit Metric Work Unit

P4 COAL CNF Conservation Facilities Count Count

P4 COAL O Other Count Count

P4 COAL RCF Recreational Facilities Count Count

P4 COAL ROD Roads Feet Meters

P4 COAL SGE Pre-SMCRA Coal Research Count Count

P4 COAL SMR Surface Mining Reclamation Acres Hectares

P4 COAL STR Public Infra-Structure Count Count

P4 COAL UTL Public Utilities Count Count

P4 COAL WQC Water Quality Control Count Count

P5 COAL CNF Conservation Facilities Count Count

P5 COAL HST Historic Purpose Count Count

P5 COAL OSB Open Space Benefits Count Count

P5 COAL UTL Public Utilities Count Count

P5 COAL RCT Recreation Purpose Count Count

P5 COAL ROD Roads Feet Meters

PF-411 (f) UTL Public Utilities Count Count

PF-411 (f) STR Public Infra-Structure Count Count

PF-411 (f) ROD Roads Feet Meters

PF-411 (f) RCF Recreational Facilities Count Count

PF-411 (f) CNF Conservation Facilities Count Count

PF-411 (f) O Other Count Count

H-411 (h) H1 411(h) Non-Mining Expenditures Count Count

H-411 (h) H2 411(h) Non-Mining Expenditures Count Count
A-49

Tribe programs could expend funds received under SMCRA Section 411(h)(2) to 

address the impacts of mineral development. Although AML Reauthorization 

established new funding sources, the work to be undertaken represents reclamation 

activities that were already available to them under SMCRA Section 411(f) since 

program inception. As of the date of issuance of this Directive, Certified States and 

Tribes have recorded accomplishments under Priority F Roads (ROD), Priority F 

Public Infra-Structure, Priority F Public Utilities (UTL), and Priority F Other (O).

To provide for complete and accurate AML Program expenditure reporting to 

Congress concerning reclamation activities that address the impacts of mineral 

development, Certified States and Tribes should record such work in eAMLIS when 

completed. There are no Priority Documentation forms associated with Priority F. 

To record the work, relevant information such as completion date, costs, and 

information on the scope of work, is entered into eAMLIS through the completion 

data module. To enter Priority F expenditures related to the impacts of mineral 

development, select the applicable Problem Type (PF Utilities, PF Roads, PF Public 

Infra-Structure, PF Recreational Facilities, PF Conservation Facilities, or PF Other) 

and then the applicable matching Program Area (Certified 411(h)(1) Non-Coal or 

Certified 411(h)(2) Non-Coal). Then proceed with entering the necessary PAD 

information and completed units, cost, and description of expenditures.

3. Priority “H” Non-Mining Related Expenditures: The 2006 amendments to 

SMCRA provided certified programs with the option of expending funds received 

under SMCRA Sections 411(h)(1) and 411(h)(2) for non-mining related activities, 

such as transportation, education, or energy development. eAMLIS will now record 

these non-mining efforts as completed costs so that the information is available for 

annual reporting to Congress. There are no Priority Documentation forms 

associated with this priority. Relevant information, such as completion date, costs, 

and information on the scope of work, is entered into eAMLIS through the 

completion data module. To enter non-mining related expenditures, select the 

applicable Problem Type (411(h)(1) Non-Mining Expenditure or 411(h)(1) NonMining Expenditure) and the applicable matching Program Area (Certified 

411(h)(1) Non-Coal or Certified 411(h)(2) Non-Coal) and proceed with entering the 

necessary PAD information and completed units, cost, and description of 

expenditures.

Non-Mining Related Expenditures are to be entered into eAMLIS upon 

completion. For some expenditures, completion may be the date the funding is 

provided for an activity, such as teacher’s salaries. For others, it may be when 

construction of a particular structure is complete, such as a road or a building. 

Completed costs should reflect final costs for the stated activity and not include 

design or administrative costs related to program management. All AML Program 

accomplishments for OSMRE’s Annual Reports to Congress are taken directly from 

eAMLIS on October 1st of each year. The annual reports will include only 

completed reclamation entered in eAMLIS prior to that date.
A-50

CHAPTER 3

COAL AND NON-COAL MINE RECLAMATION PROBLEM TYPES NONCOAL PUBLIC FACILITY PROBLEM TYPES NON-MINING 

EXPENDITURE PROBLEM TYPES

A. Priority 1 and 2: Health and Safety Problem Types

An AML Problem Type is a defined category of AML problems, such as a dangerous highwall 

(DH), vertical opening (VO), or subsidence (S).

A Problem Type feature is a specific on-the-ground feature that meets the definition of one of 

the AML Problem Types. Depending upon size and composition, PAs may contain multiple 

Problem Type features. As used throughout the following definitions, an AML Problem Type 

feature qualifies as an intense visitation area, if evidence is given of high visitation in or 

adjacent to the area.

Certified State and Tribes should continue to use the Priority 1, 2, and 3 Problem Types below 

when using 411(h)(1) and 411(h)(2) funds for reclamation of coal sites and for the reclamation 

of mine sites containing minerals other than coal. For non-mining related expenditures, see 

discussions at the end of this chapter.

Definitions are shown in alphabetical order with their respective eAMLIS Problem Type code.

1. Clogged Stream (CS)

Any filling of a stream bed, usually in a narrow valley, with AML originated silt and 

debris carried downstream by surface runoff. This causes reduced carrying capacity 

of the stream resulting in a danger to improved property and human health and 

safety. A CS is measured in miles of stream that will be dredged to abate the 

problem.

Those problems related to saturated ground caused by mine drainage water 

adversely impacting domestic water supply, human health condition, or the 

structural integrity of an occupied dwelling may not be assigned to the CS or 

clogged stream lands (CSL) Problem Type. Rather, problems associated with 

domestic water supply or human health condition can be considered as a Polluted 

Water: Human Consumption (PWHC); Problems associated with structural integrity 

can be considered as a Dangerous Slide (DS).

2. Clogged Stream Lands (CSL)

Any AML-related surface mining spoil pile or bank, mine waste, or earth material 

disturbed by mining activity which could be eroded and cause a CS. For the CSL 
A-51

to be a Priority 1 or Priority 2, demonstrate that the resulting CS will cause property 

damage and/or create a threat to human health and safety. CSL are measured in 

acres of land affected by spoil, mine waste, and earth material that are directly 

contributing to the CS. Those piles and banks which are identified and included 

in DH (dangerous highwall), DS (dangerous slide), and DI (dangerous 

impoundment) shall not be repeated for CSL problems.

3. Dangerous Pile or Embankment (DPE)

Any AML-related waste pile or bank located within close distance to a populated 

area, public road, or other area of intense visitation which poses a danger to public 

health and safety by its unstable steep slope or wind-blown dust and grit. The DPE 

Problem Type is to be used for recording non-coal related radiation problems 

associated with piles or embankments that would not otherwise be dangerous. A 

DPE is measured in acres.

4. Dangerous Highwall (DH)

Any AML-related unprotected highwall located in close proximity to a populated 

area, public road, or other area of intense visitation, which poses a threat to public 

health and safety. Dangerous Highwalls are measured in linear feet. 

5. Dangerous Impoundment (DI)

Any AML-related large-volume water impoundment which poses a threat to human 

health and safety. Examples are mine waste embankments, sedimentation ponds, or 

underground mine water pools which could flood and cause catastrophic destruction 

to downstream property if the water retention structure were to fail. A DI is 

recorded in counts.

The description of a DI must give evidence of a weak, unstable, or otherwise 

inadequate impounding structure, such as lack of an emergency spillway or 

improper primary spillway.

6. Dangerous Slide (DS)

Any AML-related landslide that endangers human health and safety. Examples 

include mine waste piles or surface mine spoil which are unstable due to their own 

weight or lubricating effects of mine drainage water and threaten destruction of 

improved property located uphill or downhill from the landslide area. A DS is 

measured in acres.

7. Flooding (FLD)

Any AML-related flooding not caused by sedimentation of streams and not caused 
A-52

by impounded water escaping a containment area. Problems with this keyword 

include soil saturation and flooding caused by rising mine pools, infiltration of 

groundwater polluted by mining to improved property, or flooding in areas that have 

subsided below the historic flood plain elevation. A new problem type (added to 

eAMLIS in FY2019), Flooding is recorded in acres.

Use Clogged Stream (CS) for flooding caused by sedimentation of streams and use 

Dangerous Impoundment (DI) for flooding from impounded water escaping a 

containment area or mine pool.

8. Gases: Hazardous or Explosive (GHE)

AML-related venting of hazardous or explosive gases. Those problems identified 

and included under other Problem Types shall not be repeated for a GHE problem. 

Use the GHE designation for gases from an underground mine fire when the 

proposed reclamation technique would involve sealing gas vents or restricting access 

to the gas plume. Use Underground Mine Fire (UMF) when reclamation would 

require mitigating the fire. The GHE Problem Type is to be used for recording noncoal related radiation problems where the radiation impact is not associated with any 

other Problem Type. A GHE is recorded in counts.

9. Hazardous Equipment or Facilities (HEF)

Any AML-related dilapidated hazardous equipment or facilities located within close 

proximity to populated areas, along public roads, or other areas of intense visitation. 

A HEF is recorded in counts.

10. Hazardous Water Body (HWB)

Any impounded water, regardless of depth or surface area that is considered an 

attractive nuisance and is located within close proximity to a populated area, public 

road, or other areas of intense visitation. Impounded water problems related to 

water pollution instead of physical hazards should be included under PWAI or 

PWHC. A HWB is recorded in counts.

The hazard must result from some AML-related feature(s) such as steep or unstable 

banks, hidden underwater ledges, or rocks or debris on the bottom. The fact that a 

pond is present is not sufficient evidence of a hazard.

11. Industrial or Residential Waste (IRW)

Any AML-impacted area which has been used illegally for residential or industrial 

waste disposal that poses a danger to public health and safety from unsanitary 

conditions or from the toxic emissions from the burning refuse. IRW is measured 

in acres.
A-53

12. Portal (P)

Any AML-related surface entrance to a drift, tunnel, adit, or entry which is not 

sealed or barricaded and is posing a threat to public health and safety. Portals are 

recorded in counts.

13. Polluted Water: Agricultural/Industrial (PWAI)

Any surface or subsurface water used for agricultural or industrial purposes which 

does not meet standards (especially those for suspended solids, acid or alkaline 

conditions, heavy metals concentrations, or radioactivity) because of AML-related 

impact. Current test results should be supplied demonstrating the substandard 

conditions. The standards that are set for the water use should also be stated. A 

PWAI is recorded in counts.

14. Polluted Water: Human Consumption (PWHC)

Any surface or subsurface water used for human consumption or recreational waters 

used for swimming that does not meet standards (especially those for suspended 

solids, acid or alkaline conditions, heavy metals concentrations, or radioactivity) 

because of AML related impacts. Current test results demonstrating pollution 

should be recorded in eAMLIS. A PWHC is recorded in counts.

Note: A Priority 1 or 2 PWHC problem is different than a Priority B WS problem. 

Projects that specifically address health and safety problems should be recorded as 

a Priority 1 or 2 based upon the results of the PWHC Priority Documentation Form. 

If completion of the PWHC Priority Documentation Form does not yield a Priority 1 

or 2 designation, the activities may be evaluated to determine if they qualify as a 

Priority B WS problem under SMCRA 403(b) (see WS Problem Type below).

15. Subsidence (S)

Any surface expression of AML-related subsidence which damages property and 

poses danger to human safety and health. These may be tension cracks, troughs, 

shearing faults, or caving caused by AML-related underground mine voids. There 

must be evidence of subsidence activity and/or continued damage within the last 

five years. If subsidence results in an isolated pothole or vertical opening (VO), (see 

the VO Problem Type below). A Subsidence is measured in acres.

16. Surface Burning (SB)

Any AML-related continuous combustion of mine waste material resulting in 

smoke, haze, heat, or venting of hazardous gases located within close distance to a 

populated area, public road, or other public use area and posing a danger to public 
A-54

health and safety. Burning must be currently occurring or be demonstrated to 

occur on a regular basis. Burning in a mine dump, even if beneath the surface of 

the material, is surface burning. The Surface Burning problem type is measured 

in acres.

17. Underground Mine Fire (UMF)

Any AML-related continuous smoke, haze, heat, or venting of hazardous gases from 

underground mine coal combustion posing a danger to public health and safety. A 

UMF is measured in acres.

18. Vertical Opening (VO)

Any AML-related vertical or steeply inclined shaft or opening which is not sealed or 

barricaded and poses a threat to the public health and safety. Also included are 

instances where subsidence results in an isolated pothole or vertical opening that has 

become a hazard. A VO is recorded in counts.

B. Priority 3 (P3): Land and Water Problem Types

1. Bench, Solid Bench, Fill Bench (BE)

A ledge that forms a single level operation along which mineral or waste materials 

are excavated. A solid bench is that portion of a bench formed on solid, 

unexcavated material. A fill bench is that portion of a bench usually consisting of 

unconsolidated spoil material extending outward from the solid bench. Benches are 

measured in acres.

2. Gob (GO)

The refuse or waste removed from a mine. This includes mine waste, rock, pyrites, 

slate, or other unmarketable materials which are separated during the cleaning 

process. Gobs are measured in acres.

3. Highwall (H)

The face of exposed overburden or the face or bank on the uphill side of a contour 

strip mine excavation. The vertical wall consisting of the deposit being mined and 

the overlying rock and soil strata of the mining site. A Highwall is measured in 

linear feet.

4. Haul Road (HR)

A road built and used for transporting mined material by truck. The road can be 

from a mine head or pit to a loading dock, tipple ramp, or preparation plant. A Haul 
A-55

Road is measured in acres.

5. Industrial or Residential Waste Dump (DP)

An AML area used to dispose of any kind of industrial or residential waste not 

related to mining or processing. A DP is measured in acres.

6. Equipment and Facilities (EF)

Any equipment or buildings used to mine, process, or transport coal or mineral ores. 

Equipment and Facilities are recorded in counts.

7. Mine Opening (MO)

Any surface entrance or opening related to an underground mine. A Mine Opening 

is recorded in counts.

8. Pit, Open Pit, Strip Pit (PI)

The last uncovered cut adjacent to the highwall. In surface mining the working area 

may be known as a strip pit. Mine workings or excavations open to the surface are 

also termed pits. Pits are measured in acres.

9. Slump (SP)

Surface expressions resulting from the caving in of underground mine voids. 

Slumps are differentiated from subsidence because they are normally in 

undeveloped areas. The area has infrequent public visitation, recreational use, 

farming, livestock use, etc. In all likelihood slumps will not cause loss of life, 

serious injury or economic loss. A Slump is measured in acres.

10. Slurry (SL)

Fine particle material from coal or mineral processing collected in a pond. Solid 

must be separated from the water in order to have clear effluent for reuse or 

discharge. A Slurry is measured in acres.

11. Spoil, Spoil Bank (SA)

The overburden material removed in gaining access to a coal seam or mineral 

deposit. A Spoil Area is measured in acres.

12. Water Problems (WA)

Water leaving the AML PA and causing environmental impacts because of its pH, 
A-56

sediments load, or other pollutants, or because of its effect on other lands due to 

poor drainage conditions (i.e., agricultural flooding). Water Problems are recorded 

in gallons per minute.

13. Other (O)

An AML area (or a non-AML area using AMLER funds) causing an environmental 

impact that does not fit one of the above definitions. This code is also utilized for 

AMLER funded projects that are non-environmental. An Other problem type can 

vary in its nature; thus, it is important to record a count (if possible) and 

annotate the PA with comments and a narrative describing the site and project

accomplishments. For AMLER funded projects a simple count of “1” will 

usually suffice for the unit data entry field in eAMLIS.

C. Section 403(b) Water Supplies Problems

1. Water Supplies – Section 403(b) (WS)

Water supplies adversely affected by coal mining that are replaced through the 

repair, replacement, construction, or enhancement of facilities, including water 

distribution facilities and treatment plants.

Note: Individual or defined groups of water supplies that qualify as health and 

safety problems because of PWHC should be recorded as a Priority 1 or 2 as 

discussed above under the PWHC Problem Type.

D. Non-Mining Related Expenditures

1. Certified Program Non-Mining Related Expenditures Section 411(h)(1) and 

411(h)(2)

Certified State and Tribes using 411(h) funding for non-mining related expenditures 

should choose the appropriate problem type below to record units and costs. 

eAMLIS will require a short narrative describing the scope of the expenditures. 

Non-mining expenditure could include payments to education departments for 

teacher salaries or school construction, general transportation improvements for 

equipment or roads, or any other expenditure authorized by the State Legislature or 

Tribal Council that does not address the impacts of coal or other minerals.

2. Certified Program 411(h)(1) – Non-Mining Expenditures

Select this Problem Type to record accomplishments when conducting non-mining 

related projects with funding provided under Section 411(h)(1) of SMCRA.

3. Certified Program 411(h)(2) – Non-Mining Expenditures
A-57

Select this Problem Type to record accomplishments when conducting non-mining 

related projects with funding provided under Section 411(h)(2) of SMCRA.

Note: When entering non-mining related expenditures, the Program Area should 

always match the Problem Type in terms of funding derivation. Therefore, Certified 

Program 411(h)(1) – Non-Mining Expenditures Problem Type should always be 

paired with the Certified 411(h)(1) Non-Coal Program Area. The Certified 

Program 411(h)(2) – Non-Mining Expenditures Problem Type should always be 

paired with the Certified 411(h)(2) Non-Coal Program Area.
A-58

CHAPTER 4

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIORITY 1 & 2 PROBLEM 

TYPES and 403(b) WATER SUPPLY EXPENDITURES

A. Priority Documentation

This Directive and eAMLIS contain Priority Documentation Forms to assess and document 

the seriousness of health and safety problems and to demonstrate how a water supply 

problem qualifies for expenditures under Section 403(b) of SMCRA. Documentation 

evaluations must be completed for each Priority 1 or 2 Problem Type feature or Section 

403(b) WS problem being entered into eAMLIS after December 12, 2012. Specific 

Problem Type features that were entered into eAMLIS before the date of this Directive will 

have supporting Priority Documentation Forms contained in hard-copy files unless or until 

they are uploaded to the system by the State/Tribe. The Priority Documentation Form is an 

essential component of AML problem and priority verification and is central to any 

OSMRE review and approval action. Completed Priority Documentation Forms must be 

uploaded to eAMLIS and maintained for recordkeeping purposes and for OSMRE review 

during updates and for oversight.

A single Priority Documentation Form may be used to assess and document multiple 

occurrences of the same Problem Type (Problem Type features) if the form is properly 

notated with detailed information and separate sections addressing each problem type 

in addition to summarized comments in the PAD Comment box (left hand panel in 

eAMLIS), and each occurrence is the same priority and reflects the conditions 

outlined on the completed form.

Example 1: PA containing both a Priority 1 and a Priority 2 dangerous highwall (DH), and 

a Priority 2 Dangerous Impoundment (DI).

In this example, three Priority Documentation Forms would have to be completed by 

program staff and uploaded to eAMLIS. The forms would be:

1. Priority 1- DH;

2. Priority 2-DH; and

3. Priority 2- DI.

Example 2: PA containing three Problem Type features of a Priority 2 dangerous highwall 

(DH), and a Priority 2 Dangerous Impoundment (DI).

In this example, program staff may be able to complete as few as two, or may need to 

complete as many as four, Priority Documentation forms. Two forms are possible if all 
A-59

three Priority 2 DH occurrences can be accurately described and notated with detailed 

information and separate sections addressing each problem type in addition to 

summarized comments in the PAD Comment box (left hand panel in eAMLIS) together

on one form. If not, then an additional form should be completed as necessary.

Priority Documentation information can be viewed and downloaded from eAMLIS or from 

OSMREs website if necessary. Priority Documentation Forms are formatted to be a useful 

field tool. Priority Documentation Forms reproduced in a State/Tribe electronic format are 

acceptable if they contain complete information.
A-60

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Clogged Stream Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: CS

PRIORITY:

CS Clogged Stream

Any filling of a streambed, usually in a narrow valley, with AML originated silt and debris carried 

downstream by surface runoff. This causes reduced carrying capacity of the stream resulting in a danger to 

improved property and human health and safety. A CS is measured in miles of stream that will be dredged to 

abate the problem. Those problems related to saturated ground caused by mine drainage water adversely 

impacting domestic water supply, human health condition, or the structural integrity of an occupied dwelling 

may not be assigned to the CS or Clogged Stream Lands (CSL) Problem Type. Rather, problems associated 

with domestic water supply or human health condition can be considered as a PWHC; problems associated 

with structural integrity can be considered as Dangerous Slide (DS).

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Clogged Streams within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1.

Is there any occupied structure, improved property, road, or public facility located 

within the floodwater path limit that would be subjected to destruction or floodwater 

damage in the event of local stream flooding?

2.

Was there any previous record of flooding in the PA caused by a streambed being 

filled with AML-related sediments (thus losing storm water carrying capacity) where 

the cause of the flooding problem has not been corrected?

Note: if Clogged Stream lands are the cause of flooding, complete the appropriate 

documentation for that Problem Type.

3. Is there a high probability of occurrence of flooding caused by an AML-related 

sediment-filled streambed?

4. Is there potential danger of flooding caused by an AML-related sediment-filled 

streambed?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-61

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMIS Priority Documentation Clogged Stream Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: CS

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost 

and provide references or sources of information used (i.e., e-AMLIS Cost Guidelines, 

previous reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-62

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Clogged Stream Lands Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: CSL

PRIORITY:

CSL Clogged Stream Lands

Any AML-related surface mining spoil pile or bank, mine waste, or earth material disturbed by mining 

activity which could be eroded and cause a Clogged Stream (CS). For the CSL to be a Priority 1 or Priority 

2, demonstrate that the resulting CS will cause property damage and/or create a threat to human health and 

safety. CSL are measured in acres of land affected by spoil, mine waste, and earth material that are directly 

contributing to the CS. Those piles and banks which are identified and included in DH (dangerous highwall), 

DS (dangerous slide), and DI (dangerous impoundment) shall not be repeated for CSL problems.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Clogged Stream Lands within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Is there any occupied structure, improved property, road, or public facility located 

within the flood water path limit that would be subjected to destruction or flood 

water damage in the event of local stream flooding?

2. Was there any previous record of flooding in the PA caused by a stream bed being 

filled with AML-related sediments (thus losing storm water carrying capacity) 

where the cause of the flooding problem has not been corrected?

Note: If a Clogged Stream with reduced carrying capacity is the cause of flooding, 

complete the appropriate documentation for that Problem Type.

3. Is there a high probability of occurrence of flooding caused by significant erosion 

carried downstream by surface water runoff from the unreclaimed AML area?

4. Is there potential danger of flooding caused by significant erosion carried 

downstream by surface water runoff from the unreclaimed AML area?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-63

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Clogged Stream Lands Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: CSL

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-64

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Piles or Embankments Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DPE

PRIORITY:

DPE Dangerous Pile or Embankment

Any AML-related waste pile or bank located within close distance to a populated area, public road, or other 

area of intense visitation that poses a danger to public health and safety by its unstable steep slope or windblown dust and grit. The DPE Problem Type is to be used for recording non-coal related radiation problems 

associated with piles or embankments that would not otherwise be dangerous.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Dangerous Piles or Embankments within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to 

identify and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any AML-related unstable steep refuse piles or banks (other than 

landslides) posing a danger to human life, safety, and health?

2. Is there any occupied structure, public use facility, improved public road, or public 

use park or recreational area located within 300 feet of the PA?

3. Is there any evidence of either frequent visitation or easy access road capable of 

carrying vehicles to the PA?

4. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 3 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-65

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Piles or Embankments Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DPE

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

5. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

6. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-66

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Highwalls Page 1 of 4

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DH

PRIORITY:

DH Dangerous Highwall

Any AML-related unprotected highwall located in close proximity to a populated area, public road, or other 

area of intense visitation, which poses a threat to public health and safety.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Dangerous Highwalls within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

PART A. Physical Condition of the Highwall

1. Is the height greater than 6 feet?

2. Slopes

a. Danger to people

i. Is there loose material on the face, and is the slope greater than 35 degrees? 

OR

ii. Is the slope greater than 50 degrees?

b. Is there danger to vehicles on road above the DH?

PART B. Dangers

If it meets the criteria necessary to be a DH in Part A, positive answers to Questions 3, 4, 7, 10 or 16 can 

qualify the problem as Priority 1. If it meets the criteria necessary to be a DH in Part A, positive answers 

to Questions 3 through 16 can qualify the problem as Priority 2. It is not necessary to answer all of the 

questions in the affirmative, and the questions may be given different weights of support in the narrative 

description. Multiple segments of a dangerous highwall should be consolidated on a single form. The 

physical characteristics and priority criteria for each segment should be noted in the narrative description.

Potential Dangers Below Highwall

3. Can materials falling from the highwall cause injury to residents or serious damage 

to occupied structures (and the surrounding yards) located in close proximity to the 

bottom of the highwall? 

If so, the problem can qualify as a Priority 1 with an adequate justification included 

in the narrative description.

4. Has an improved road(s) beneath the highwall been closed by rock falls and is it 

likely to be closed again because of continued deterioration of the highwall?

If so, it can qualify as a Priority 1 because it can prevent access by emergency 

vehicles.
A-67

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Highwalls Page 2 of 4

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DH

PRIORITY:

5. Can traffic on an improved road(s) be endangered by falling rocks?

The road(s) must be improved thoroughfares. Roads that provide access only to the 

bench or mine are not considered in the classification.

6. Can improved property be damaged by falling material from the highwall?

Could intensive use areas, where people gather beneath the highwall, be exposed to 

falling rocks?

This must involve a large number of people over a long period of time.

Roads Located Above the Highwall

7. Has a highwall(s) that is actively sloughed (i.e., deteriorating highwall) progressed to 

within 10 feet of a publicly maintained road?

If so, it can qualify as Priority 1.

8. Is there a heavily traveled, maintained road(s), capable of speeds of at least 40 mph 

and used by the public within 40 feet of the highwall?

9. Is there an unimproved road(s) accessible to conventional road vehicles or off-road 

vehicles within 15 feet of the top of the highwall?

Danger of Falling from Top of the Highwall

10. Is there an occupied structure(s), (including houses, apartments, schools, grocery 

stores, shopping malls, factories, and other retail stores where concentrations of 

people can be expected), located within 300 feet of the top of the highwall?

If so, that portion of the highwall can qualify as Priority 1.

11. Is there an occupied structure(s), (see question 10 above), located within 500 feet of 

the top of the highwall?

If so, that portion of the highwall can qualify as Priority 2.

12. Are there numerous inhabited dwellings that are outside of the 500 feet?

If it can be demonstrated that there is intense visitation to the top of the highwall, the 

highwall can qualify as Priority 2.
A-68

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Highwalls Page 3 of 4

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DH

PRIORITY:

13. Is there a park(s) and/or recreation use area(s) located within 500 feet of the top of 

the highwall with evidence of intensive public visitation to the top of the highwall?

14. Is there an area(s) of intense visitation on top of the highwall and is the road(s) to the 

area(s) accessible and in condition to allow access to the public?

Even if guardrails or natural barriers are present, this portion of the highwall can 

qualify as a Priority 2.

15. Although a hazardous water body is a different kind of problem from dangerous 

highwalls, the two overlap in the numerous cases of water-filled pits beneath a lastcut highwall.

Is the public congregating at the water body for recreation, (swimming, fishing, etc.), 

and is the public either exposed to danger by traversing the highwall to access the 

water or does the public use the highwall as a diving platform, parking area, or rest 

area?

Other dangers

16. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems).

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

17. Narrative evidence of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger):
A-69

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Highwalls Page 4 of 4

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DH

PRIORITY:

18. Narrative evidence of Priority 2 (Health and Safety):

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.)
A-70

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Impoundment Page 1 of 2

PAD NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: DI

PRIORITY:

DI Dangerous Impoundment

Any AML-related large-volume water impoundment that poses a threat to human health and safety. 

Examples are mine waste embankments, sedimentation ponds, or underground mine water pools which could 

flood and cause catastrophic destruction to downstream property if the water retention structure were to fail.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Dangerous Impoundment within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Is there any occupied structure, improved property, road, or public facility located 

within the floodwater path limit that would be subjected to destruction or 

floodwater damage in the event of a water retention structure failure?

2. Was there any previous record of flooding in the PA caused by a water retention 

structure failure?

3. Is there a high probability of occurrence of flooding caused by a deteriorated 

AML-related water retention structure currently impounding a large quantity body 

of water located upstream?

4. Is there potential danger of flooding caused by a deteriorated AML-related water 

retention structure currently impounding a large quantity body of water located 

upstream?

5. Is there any water impounding structure that has been breached, vacating the main 

body of impounded water, and where the water retention capacity of the structure 

is now being restored gradually by natural clogging and damming action?

6. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 3 or 6 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 4 or 5 or 6 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-71

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Impoundment Page 2 of 2

PAD NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DI

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

7. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

8. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-72

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Slide Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DS

PRIORITY:

DS Dangerous Slide

Any AML-related landslide that endangers human health and safety. Examples include mine waste piles or 

surface mine spoil which are unstable due to their own weight or lubricating effects of mine drainage water 

and threaten destruction of improved property located uphill or downhill from the landslide area.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Dangerous Slides within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Is there any AML-related land mass in the PA such as:

a. Surface or sub-surface spoil,

b. Coal mine waste pile or bank, or

c. Surface mine bank affected by mine drainage water?

2. Is there any occupied structure, improved property, public road, or public use 

facility located at the toe or adjacent to an unstable AML-related land mass?

3. Has that land mass become unstable and is it presently moving, or is an imminent 

move obvious due to instability of its own weight or to the lubricating effects of 

mine drainage water that would endanger human health and safety or destruction 

of property located uphill or downhill from the land mass?

4. Is there any potential occurrence of a land mass move due to instability of its own 

weight or the lubricating effects of mine drainage water that would endanger 

human health and safety or destruction of property located uphill or downhill from 

the land mass?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Questions 1, 2, and 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 criteria 

with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Questions 1, 2, and 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria 

with adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-73

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Dangerous Slide Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: DS

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-74

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Flooding Page 74 of 131

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: FLD

PRIORITY:

FLD Flooding

Any AML-related flooding not caused by sedimentation of streams and not caused by impounded water 

escaping a containment area. Problems with this keyword include soil saturation and flooding caused by 

rising mine pools, infiltration of groundwater polluted by mining to improved property, or flooding in areas 

that have subsided below the historic flood plain elevation. 

Use Clogged Stream (CS) for flooding caused by sedimentation of streams and use Dangerous 

Impoundment (DI) for flooding from impounded water escaping a containment area or mine pool.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences 

of Flooding within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Is there any AML related flooding that may result in danger to human health 

and safety or damage to improved property?

2. Is there any previous record of flooding due to historic mining?

3. Is there a high probability of flooding due to historic mining?

4. Is there potential for flooding due to historic mining?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with the adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-75

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Flooding Page 75 of 131

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: FLD

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.). 
A-76

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Gases: Hazardous or Explosive Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: GHE

PRIORITY:

GHE Gases: Hazardous or Explosive

AML-related venting of hazardous or explosive gases. Those problems identified and included under other 

Problem Types shall not be repeated for a GHE problem. Use the GHE designation for gases from an 

underground mine fire when the proposed reclamation technique would involve sealing gas vents or 

restricting access to the gas plume. Use Underground Mine Fire (UMF) when reclamation would require 

mitigating the fire. The GHE Problem Type is to be used for recording non-coal related radiation problems 

where the radiation impact is not associated with any other Problem Type.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Gases: Hazardous or Explosive within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify 

and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any current AML-related problems with the venting of hazardous or 

explosive gases, including radon, through mine openings, mine induced cracks, or 

boreholes?

Note: Analysis of ambient air samples is required for the evidence of hazardous 

gases.

2. Are there any occupied structures, public facilities, or intense visitation areas 

located within the subject impact area, including adjoining areas where gas carried 

by wind propagates?

3. Has there been any occurrence of human death, injury or illness, or damage to 

improved property by AML-related hazardous or explosive gases?

4. Is there any potential of human death, injury or illness or damage to improved 

property by AML-related hazardous or explosive gases?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, and 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 criteria with 

the adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, and 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria with 

the adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-77

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Gases: Hazardous or Explosive Page 2 of 2

PA NO: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: GHE

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-78

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Hazardous Equipment & Facilities Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: HEF

PRIORITY:

HEF Hazardous Equipment or Facilities

Any AML-related dilapidated hazardous equipment or facilities located within close proximity to populated 

areas, along public roads, or other areas of intense visitation.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Hazardous Equipment and Facilities within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to 

identify and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any dilapidated equipment or facilities posing a danger to human life, 

safety, and health?

2. Is there any occupied structure, public use facility, improved public road, or public 

use park or recreational area located within 300 feet of the PA?

3. Is there any evidence of either frequent visitation or easy access road capable of 

carrying vehicles to the PA?

4. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 3 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-79

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT 

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Hazardous Equipment & Facilities Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: HEF

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

5. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

6. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-80

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Hazardous Water Bodies Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: HWB

PRIORITY:

HWBHazardous Water Body

Any impounded water, regardless of depth or surface area, that is considered an attractive nuisance and is 

located within close proximity to a populated area, public road, or other areas of intense visitation. 

Impounded water problems related to water pollution instead of physical safety hazards should be included 

under PWAI or PWHC.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Hazardous Water Bodies within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any AML-related hazardous water bodies posing a danger to human life, 

safety, and health?

2. Is there any occupied structure, public use facility, improved public road, or public 

use park or recreational area located within 300 feet of the PA?

3. Is there any evidence of either frequent visitation or easy access road capable of 

carrying vehicles to the PA?

4. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 3 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-81

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Hazardous Water Bodies Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: HWB

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

5. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

6. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-82

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT 

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Industrial/Residential Waste Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: IRW

PRIORITY:

IRW Industrial or Residential Waste

Any AML-impacted area that has been used illegally for residential or industrial waste disposal that poses a 

danger to public health and safety from unsanitary conditions or from the toxic emissions from the burning 

refuse.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Industrial/Residential Waste within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify 

and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any current AML-related problems with unsanitary or toxic wastes, 

hazardous fumes, or open fires of residential or industrial waste disposed in an 

AML-affected area?

2. Are there any occupied structures, public facilities, intense visitation areas, or 

vegetation (subject to wildland fire caused by fires in the waste) located within the 

subject impact area? 

This includes adjoining areas, where unsanitary or toxic wastes or hazardous 

fumes are carried by wind or fires from residential or industrial waste can 

propagate.

3. Has there been any occurrence of human death, injury or illness; or fire damage to 

improved property or vegetation, from industrial or residual waste due to 

unsanitary conditions, toxic wastes, hazardous fumes, or open burning of the 

waste? 

4. Is there any potential of human death, injury or illness; or fire damage to improved 

property or vegetation, from industrial or residual waste due to unsanitary 

conditions, toxic wastes, hazardous fumes, or open burning of the waste?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, and 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 criteria with 

adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, and 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria with 

adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-83

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Industrial/Residential Waste Page 2 of 2

PA NO: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: IRW

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and Health 

and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-84

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Portals Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM TYPE: P PRIORITY:

P Portal

Any AML-related surface entrance to a drift, tunnel, adit, or entry that is not sealed or barricaded and is 

posing a threat to the public health and safety.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Portals within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any AML-related, easily accessible, unguarded, open mine entries 

posing a danger to human life, safety, and health?

2. Is there any occupied structure, public use facility, improved public road, or public 

use park or recreational area located within 300 feet of the PA?

3. Is there any evidence of either frequent visitation or easy access road capable of 

carrying vehicles to the PA?

4. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 3 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and Health 

and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

5. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:
A-85

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT 

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Portals Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM TYPE: P PRIORITY:

6. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and provide 

references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous reclamation projects, 

engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-86

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Polluted Water Agriculture Industrial Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: PWAI

PRIORITY:

PWAI Polluted Water: Agricultural/Industrial

Any surface or subsurface water used for agricultural or industrial purposes which does not meet standards 

(especially those for suspended solids, acid or alkaline conditions, heavy metals concentrations, or 

radioactivity) because of AML-related impact. Current test results should be supplied demonstrating the 

substandard conditions. The standards that are set for the water use should also be stated.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Polluted Water: Agricultural or Industrial within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II 

to identify and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Is there any AML-related mine drainage water being used for agricultural 

irrigation, livestock feed, or industrial use?

2. Has the mine drainage water currently used for any of the above-mentioned

purposes proven to be polluted?

Pollution may be demonstrated by the existence of suspended soils, acidity, 

alkalinity, metals or radioactivity, or by the water’s impact on aquatic life.

Note: It is recommended that results of laboratory analysis be attached as 

supporting evidence that water is polluted.

3. Is there potential for any occurrence of death or illness of livestock or 

productivity loss in agriculture or industry caused by use of the water?

4. Has there been any occurrence of death or illness of livestock or a productivity 

loss in agriculture or industry caused by use of the water?

Note: It is recommended that evidence of direct relation of polluted water to an 

identified adverse impact be documented.

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, 3 and 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 criteria 

with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, and 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria with 

adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-87

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Polluted Water Agriculture Industrial Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE:

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and Health and 

Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and provide 

references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous reclamation projects, 

engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-88

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Polluted Water Human Consumption Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: PWHC

PRIORITY:

PWHC Polluted Water: Human Consumption

Any surface or subsurface water used for human consumption or recreational waters used for swimming that 

does not meet standards (especially those for suspended solids, acid or alkaline conditions, heavy metals 

concentrations, or radioactivity) because of AML related impact. Current test results demonstrating pollution 

should be recorded in eAMLIS.

Note: A Priority 1 or 2 PWHC problem is different than a Priority B Water Supplies (WS) problem. Projects 

that specifically address health and safety problems should be recorded as a Priority 1 or 2 based upon the 

results of the PWHC Priority Documentation Form. If completion of the PWHC Priority Documentation 

Form does not yield a Priority 1 or 2 designation, the activities may be evaluated to determine if they qualify 

as a Priority B WS problem under SMCRA 403(b) (see WS Problem Type).

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Polluted Water: Human Consumption within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to 

identify and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Is there any AML-related mine drainage water being used for domestic supply or 

recreational use?

2. Has the mine drainage water currently used for any of the above-mentioned

purposes proven to be polluted?

Pollution may be demonstrated by the existence of suspended soils, acidity, 

alkalinity, metals or radioactivity, or by the water’s impact on aquatic life.

Note: It is recommended that results of laboratory analysis be attached as 

supporting evidence that water is polluted.

3. Is there potential for any occurrence of death or illness of people caused by use of 

the water?

4. Has there been any occurrence of death or illness of people caused by use of the 

water?

Note: It is recommended that evidence of direct relation of polluted water to an 

identified adverse impact be documented.

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.
A-89

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Polluted Water Human Consumption Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE:

PRIORITY:

Note – Problems that are not health and safety threats that are being addressed through the protection, 

repair, replacement, construction, or enhancement of facilities related to water supplies, including water 

distribution facilities and treatment plants, should be recorded under the special priority of Water Supplies, 

Section 403(b).

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, 3 and 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 criteria 

with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2, and 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria with 

adequate justification included in the narrative description.

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and Health 

and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-90

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Subsidence Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM TYPE: S PRIORITY:

S Subsidence

Any surface expression of AML-related subsidence that damages property and poses danger to human safety 

and health. These may be tension cracks, troughs, shearing faults, or caving caused by AML-related 

underground mine voids. There must be evidence of subsidence activity and/or continued damage within the 

last five years. If subsidence results in an isolated pothole or vertical opening (VO), see the VO Problem 

Type.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Subsidence within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Is there a possible subsidence area directly beneath or immediately adjacent to 

inhabited structures, roadways, or public facilities?

2. Has it caused or is it anticipated that it could shortly cause loss of life, serious 

injury, or excessive economic loss?

3. Is there possible subsidence adjacent to or near structures, roadways, or public 

facilities?

4. Has actual subsidence in the area created potential for injury or appreciable 

economic loss?

5. Have the above problems occurred within the past 5 years?

6. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 6 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Questions 3, 4, and 5 or 6 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria 

with adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-91

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Subsidence Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM TYPE: S PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and Health 

and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

7. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

8. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-92

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Surface Burning Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: SB

PRIORITY:

SB Surface Burning

Any AML-related continuous combustion of mine waste material resulting in smoke, haze, heat, or venting 

of hazardous gases located within close distance to a populated area, public road, or other public use area 

and posing a danger to public health and safety. Burning must be currently occurring or be demonstrated to 

occur on a regular basis. Burning in a mine dump, even if beneath the surface of the material, is surface 

burning.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Surface Burning within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any current AML-related problems with smoke, haze, heat, or open fire 

from burning coal waste materials?

2. Are there any occupied structures, public facilities, intense visitation areas, or 

vegetation located within the subject impact area, including adjoining areas, where 

gas and smoke carried by wind or fire propagates?

3. Has there been any occurrence of human death, injury or illness, or fire damage to 

improved property, or a vegetation fire ignited by an AML-related fire?

4. Is there any potential of human death, injury or illness, or of AML-related fire 

damage to improved property or an area of vegetation?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1, 2 and 3 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 criteria with 

adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Questions 1, 2, and 4 or 5 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria 

with adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-93

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Surface Burning Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: SB

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and Health 

and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-94

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Underground Mine Fire Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: UMF

PRIORITY:

UMF Underground Mine Fire

Any AML-related continuous smoke, haze, heat, or venting of hazardous gases from underground mine coal 

combustion posing a danger to public health and safety.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Underground Mine Fires within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Has there been any occurrence of injury or death to a person, or damage to 

improved property, due to UMF problems?

2. Is the underground mine fire(s) within the limits of populated areas or at any 

occupied dwellings or structures?

3. Is the underground mine fire(s) migrating in the direction of an existing 

population center and/or occupied development(s)?

Documentation of migration may include mine maps showing workings beneath 

or adjacent to an impact area, historical evidence of migration, physical evidence 

of fire or remote sensing data showing changes in the fire front. 

4. Has the existence of hazardous gases been confirmed through the collection and 

laboratory analysis of ambient air samples taken from an occupied 

dwelling/structure?

5. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

A positive answer to Question 1 or 5 indicates the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 criteria with 

adequate justification included in the narrative description.

A positive answer to Question 2, 3, 4, or 5 indicates the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 criteria with 

adequate justification included in the narrative description.
A-95

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Underground Mine Fire Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: UMF

PRIORITY:

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and Health 

and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”

6. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

7. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-96

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Vertical Openings Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: VO

PRIORITY:

VO Vertical Opening

Any AML-related vertical or steeply-inclined shaft or opening which is not sealed or barricaded and poses a 

threat to the public health and safety. Also included are instances where subsidence results in an isolated 

pothole or vertical opening that has become a hazard.

Problem Type Features – if this form is being used to evaluate and record multiple occurrences of 

Vertical Openings within the PA, include sufficient information under Part II to identify and 

differentiate.

I. HEALTH and SAFETY INFORMATION Yes No

1. Are there any AML-related, unfilled, vertical or steeply inclined shafts or openings 

posing a danger to human life, safety and health?

2. Is there any occupied structure, public use facility, improved public road, or public 

use park or recreational area located within 300 feet of the PA?

3. Is there any evidence of either frequent visitation or easy access road capable of 

carrying vehicles to the PA?

4. Is there a condition, not described above, causing an immediate or potential 

danger?

If so, describe the condition and danger in full detail in Section II.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 2 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 1 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

Positive answers to Question 1 and Question 3 or 4 indicate the problem can qualify to meet Priority 2 

criteria with adequate justification included in the narrative description.

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION (Evidence of Extreme Danger and 

Health and Safety Problems). 

As stated in 30 U.S.C. 1233, SMCRA Section 403(a)(1)(A) defines Priority 1 as “the protection of public 

health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.”

SMCRA Section 403(a)(2)(A) defines Priority 2 as “the protection of public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices.”
A-97

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS Priority Documentation Vertical Openings Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: VO

PRIORITY:

5. Narrative description of Priority 1 (Extreme Danger) problems:

6. Narrative description of Priority 2 (Health and Safety) problems:

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the approach used to estimate cost and 

provide references or sources of information used (i.e., eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, previous 

reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-98

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT 

eAMLIS WS Documentation 403 (b) Water Supply Page 1 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM

TYPE: WS

PRIORITY: B

WS Water Supplies – Section 403(b)

Water supplies adversely affected by coal mining that are replaced through the repair, replacement, 

construction, or enhancement of facilities, including water distribution facilities and treatment plants.

Note: Individual or defined groups of water supplies that qualify as health and safety problems because of 

PWHC should be recorded as a Priority 1 or 2 as discussed under the PWHC Problem Type.

I. WATER SUPPLY ADVERSE EFFECT INFORMATION Yes No

PART A. SUPPLY IMPACTS

1. Are specific water supplies adversely affected by coal mining in terms of water 

quantity?

2. Are specific water supplies adversely affected by coal mining in terms of water 

quality?

PART B. COAL MINING RELATEDNESS

3. Are the coal mining related adverse effects on the subject water supplies entirely 

due to coal mining that occurred during one or both of the following periods of 

mining:

1. Coal mining that occurred prior to August 3, 1977?

2. Coal mining that occurred between August 4, 1977 and prior to the 

date that OSM approved your State’s or Tribe’s primacy regulatory 

program (also referred to as interim program period)?

4. Are the coal mining related adverse effects on the subject water supplies entirely 

due to coal mining that occurred between August 4, 1977 and November 5, 1990, 

and the surety of the subject mining operation became insolvent during that period 

leaving inadequate funds to address the adverse effects to water supplies?

5. Are the coal mining related adverse effects on the subject water supplies 

predominantly due to coal mining conducted during one of the periods specified in 

questions 3 and 4 above?

If yes, explain further below.

A positive answer to Question 1 and/or Question 2 along with a positive answer to Question 3, 4, or 5 

qualifies the problem as an adverse effect to water supplies under Section 403(b) of SMCRA.
A-99

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS WS Documentation 403 (b) Water Supply Page 2 of 2

PA NO.: DATE: PROBLEM 

TYPE: WS

PRIORITY: B

II. RECLAMATION PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: Explain the scope of the problem and 

identify the water supplies that will be replaced. Include discussions of water quality 

and/or quantity impacts. Finally, if answered “Yes” to Question 5 above, include a 

discussion of how the determination was made.

III. RECLAMATION COST DESCRIPTION: Show the estimated cost and approach that 

will be used to protect, repair, replace, construct, or enhance facilities to replace water 

supplies adversely affected by coal mining practices. Identify any work that will be 

performed related to water distribution facilities and/or treatment plants. In addition, 

please provide references or sources of information used to estimate the costs (i.e.,

previous reclamation projects, engineer’s estimate, etc.).
A-100

CHAPTER 5

GENERAL WELFARE SITES – HISTORY AND STATUS

On December 20, 2006, SMCRA was formally amended and the “General Welfare” term as a 

criterion for a Priority 1 or 2 problem was eliminated. Prior to that date, States, Tribes, and 

OSMRE could qualify certain types of AML problems based upon an adverse economic impact 

to a local community or proximity to a residential area. The elimination of the term General 

Welfare from SMCRA 403(a)(1) and (a)(2) changed how AML problems may qualify as health 

and safety problems and required OSMRE to modify this Directive and the eAMLIS.

The term General Welfare has been eliminated from various definitions and narrative 

descriptions and from the Priority Documentation Forms contained in Chapter 4. The net effect 

of the revisions is to eliminate the future addition of AML problems to the eAMLIS based upon 

General Welfare impacts.

Unfunded, funded, and completed General Welfare qualified AML problems contained in the 

Inventory have been reviewed by State and Tribe program managers and addressed as follows.

A. Unfunded General Welfare AML Problems

Each State and Tribe removed from the Inventory all unfunded AML Priority 1 and 2 

Problem Type features that are solely included based upon the General Welfare 

provisions that were eliminated from SMCRA by the 2006 amendments.

If upon subsequent review, the State or Tribe determines that a previous General Welfare 

problem constitutes a Priority 1, 2, or 3 problem based upon criteria contained in this 

Directive, the problem may be re-entered into the eAMLIS along with the applicable cost 

and Priority documentation information. 

OSMRE approval for the above revisions is only required where a Priority 1 or 2 General 

Welfare problem is being retained as a Priority 1 or 2 health and safety problem. OSMRE

and the State/Tribe should coordinate to expeditiously complete any required reviews.

Example: In 1999, a State qualified 10 miles of mine drainage affected stream as a 

Priority 2 problem based upon the adverse economic effect to the general welfare of a 

community. A review of the problem determined that the stream miles may be retained 

on the Inventory as a Priority 3 environmental problem. The State would revise eAMLIS 

to reflect the Priority 3 designation and upload any revised cost estimates. No OSMRE

review is required.

B. Funded General Welfare AML Problems

Priority 1 and 2 General Welfare problems that are funded as of December 12, 2012 –

States and Tribes may record the completed costs of any funded General Welfare 

problem consistent with the Priority by which it was originally designated at the time of 
A-101

funding.

C. Completed General Welfare AML Problems

Priority 1 and 2 General Welfare problems that are completed as of December 12, 2012 –

States and Tribes are not required to revise the Priority of any completed AML General 

Welfare problems.
A-102

CHAPTER 6

ESTIMATING AND DOCUMENTING AML RECLAMATION COSTS

A. Estimating eAMLIS Reclamation Costs

States, Tribes, and OSMRE Field Offices have many years of experience with 

reclamation and the associated costs. It is recommended that this experience be used to 

estimate the unfunded inventory costs for the various Problem Type features. Costs 

should be based on knowledge of local conditions, recent construction costs, and/or 

industry cost publications and software applications (such as RS Means, Dodge Data and 

Analytics, RACER [Remedial Action Cost Engineering and Requirements], or 

AMDTreat).

Estimated costs must be only those costs that would result from a reasonable approach to 

abating the impacts of AML problems. Costs associated with reclamation techniques that 

would not be attempted by the State, Tribe, or OSMRE Field Offices should not be 

entered into eAMLIS. For example, if the only reasonable approach to abating impacts 

from an Underground Mine Fire (UMF) is to construct fencing that prohibits entry to 

areas of hazardous gas venting, then the cost associated with day-lighting the entire fire 

should not be entered into eAMLIS.

Completed costs should reflect:

1. final contract costs for construction, and

2. long-term recurring abatement costs, such as annual treatment costs for mine 

drainage facilities.

Unanticipated maintenance costs after project completion do not have to be included in 

eAMLIS unless there is major remedial work.

When AML Problem Type features have been abated without the use of AML Fund 

monies, such as private reclamation, remining, natural causes, etc., the cost amount 

entered into the PAD completed column should be zero. For example, use the Program 

Area Code “Remining” (RMA) to record a Priority 1, 2, or 3 AML Problem Type 

features that have been abated due to remining or use the Program Area Code “Other” 

(PVA) to record coal reclamation accomplishments that do not fall within one of the 

defined Program Areas. (See Chapter 2, Section B: “Program Areas & Alternate Funding 

Sources New or Revised” for more information.)

B. Cost Documentation

Each unfunded, funded, and completed cost entered into eAMLIS must be supported by 

specific information that shows the calculation approach and identifies data sources used 
A-103

in the process. A cost documentation review is part of OSMRE’s responsibilities 

when approving new coal problems into eAMLIS. In addition, OSMRE has 

oversight responsibilities that will rely on cost information contained in eAMLIS.

An adequate cost calculation approach should include at least one of the following:

1. A summary of an engineer’s estimate (include unit, estimated quantity, and 

estimated unit price);

2. Tabulations based on previous similar projects (projects cited must be completed 

within the last five years and include project name and eAMLIS PA number);

3. Industry construction cost publications (cite publication used and how you arrived 

at the estimate); or

4. Information contained in Part D (below).

Regardless of the approach used, there must be detail sufficient to show how the cost in 

eAMLIS was determined. Cost justification narratives entered into eAMLIS must 

indicate the method used for developing the cost estimate and identifying the data 

sources or cost guidelines used. Simple statements such as eAMLIS Cost Guidelines, 

engineer’s estimate, construction cost publication, or previous AML project contract 

costs do not give enough information to justify costs entered into eAMLIS.

C. Uploading Cost Estimates to eAMLIS

Cost documentation that includes both (1) Cost Computations and (2) Cost Support 

Information must be uploaded to eAMLIS for all AML problems and modifications 

(including cost revisions). 

Uploads may include detailed calculations and narratives contained within the following:

1. The Priority 1 and 2 Documentation forms (refer to Chapter 4: “Documentation 

Requirements for Priority 1 & 2 Problem Types and 403(b) Water Supply 

Expenditures” for more information);

2. The eAMLIS Cost Support Form, (see below);

3. A notated engineer’s estimate showing how costs for each AML feature were 

determined; and

4. Any document that shows (in detail) the approach used to estimate the cost.

The following eAMLIS Cost Support Form may be used to facilitate cost 

documentation for all problem types. The form may also be useful for Problem Types 

that do not have Priority Documentation Forms in Chapter 4 including:

1. Priority 3 AML features;
A-104

2. Priority “F” 411(f) Public Facility Infrastructure Expenditures; and

3. Priority “H” Non-Mining Related Expenditures.
A-105

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

eAMLIS COST SUPPORT FORM

PROBLEM AREA 

NUMBER:

DATE: PROBLEM TYPE: PRIORITY:

COST COMPUTATION: Show the estimated cost and supporting computations. (Cite method used to 

formulate estimate. Show the breakdown of costs or attach supporting documents.)

COST SUPPORT INFORMATION: Select one:

☐eAMLIS Cost Guidelines

☐Reclamation Projects (within the past five years)

☐Engineer’s Estimate

☐Industry Standards (cite publication)

☐Other (specify in comments section below)

COMMENTS: (document your cost support form here): 

D. Cost Guidelines
A-106

The following guidance is provided as a supplement to aid the Preparer in developing 

new or modified cost estimates for different Problem Types. The basis for developing

Inventory cost estimates must be documented and uploaded into eAMLIS.

1. Grading/Revegetation:

Costs for revegetation of spoils, bench, pits (when filling is not required), gob 

material, and haul roads will vary. The degree of work needed to complete the 

revegetation work determines the costs. In most cases, unless you are dealing 

with a small area (<1 acre), estimates are determined on a per acre basis.

Types of grading work include the following (and in most cases, the cost per acre 

will decrease as the number of acres increases):

a. Spot plantings and a few scattered silt control structures, no grading:

Calculate: cost per acre.

b. Conditioning and ground cover, no grading:

<10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

>10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

c. Smoothing with rubber-tired equipment (some grading), conditioning, 

ground cover:

<10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

>10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

d. Significant grading, conditioning, ground cover:

<10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

>10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

e. Toxic soil: Double the cost per acre for the affected acreage.

f. Burning acres (surface burning): Double the cost per acre for the affected 

acreage.

For extremely large piles of mine wastes (generally over 40 feet high or with an 

average depth of 15 feet or more or containing more than 25,000 cubic yards of 

material/acre) where removal of material is likely to be required in addition to 

grading, it may be appropriate to calculate cost according to the volume of 

material involved rather than by the acreage disturbed.
A-107

2. Slurry Areas:

Costs for regrading slurry areas are usually done by the acre. (In most cases, the 

cost per acre will decrease as the number of acres increases.)

<10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

>10 acres: Calculate cost per acre.

3. Highwall Reclamation:

Earthmoving costs associated with backfilling highwalls, and mine pits are based 

on the volume of material to move; therefore reclamation cost estimates should be 

based on a presumed fill volume. Assuming that a triangular fill section with a 

constant, uniform slope will be placed against a highwall face, assumed to be 

vertical, then the cross-sectional area should be multiplied by the appropriate 

highwall length to estimate the required fill volume. A cost rate factor (dollars 

per cubic yard) is then multiplied by the calculated fill volume to arrive at the 

backfilling and grading cost.

The fill height can vary depending upon the availability of spoils. If enough fill 

material exists near the highwall to completely cover the highwall face, the 

effective fill height will equal the actual highwall height. If no spoils are 

available to cover the highwall face, it may be necessary to cut or blast the 

highwall face to eliminate the highwall. Material at the top of the highwall could 

be moved to the base of the highwall for fill material. In the most extreme 

situation half of the highwall height could be removed, making the effective fill 

height 1⁄2 (one-half) the original highwall height. All other spoil conditions could 

result in an effective fill height between 1⁄2 (one-half) the highwall height and the 

original total highwall height.

Next, the geometry of the fill slope is considered. Reclaimed slope grades will 

vary depending upon land use, hydrology, and the prevailing terrain. For cost 

estimation purposes a single slope grade is usable for all reclaimed slopes. A 

uniform slope of 2.7:1 (horizontal: vertical) is used because it falls well within the 

range that is used in practice, and the grade simplifies the reclamation cost 

calculations.

Once the height and slope grade of the triangular fill section is determined, the 

base distance is set, and the required fill volume can be calculated by multiplying 

the cross-sectional fill area by the highwall length. Once the volume is known, a 
A-108

cost rate can be applied. A volumetric cost rate (dollars per cubic yard) can be 

used to estimate the cost of rough backfilling and grading a highwall.

After rough backfilling and grading is completed, final grading, top soiling, and 

revegetation may be necessary. In addition, other reclamation costs, such as 

equipment mobilization and sedimentation control, could be incurred and should 

be indicated on the documentation of the cost estimate.

Required Fill Volume Equation: 

Required Fill Volume (V) = 2(x) x triangular base (b) x highwall height (h) x 

highwall length (L).

Assuming a 2.7:1 reclaimed slope grade and a vertical highwall, the fill volume 

equation is:

V = 1⁄2 bhL

V = 1⁄2 (2.7h x h x L), where the triangular base (b) = 2.7h

If expressed in metric units (meters), the above formula results in cubic meters. 

There are 1.308 cubic yards in a cubic meter. However, if the highwall 

dimensions are reported in feet, which is normally the case, it is necessary to 

divide the calculated volume by 27 to arrive at the required fill volume in cubic 

yards. In that case, use the following equation for the required volume of fill:

V = 2.7 h2 L divided by 54 

V = 0.05 h2 L (yd3

)

4. Slides:

Costs for reclaiming landslides can vary depending on the complexity and size of 

the area impacted. For slides that require only correction of drainage patterns or 

some grading, estimate costs on the amount of acreage to be disturbed and the 

type of work needed in order to stabilize the slide.

5. Water Problems: (costs vary considerably with volume, water quality and 

treatment method chosen).

a. Water treatment: Water treatment costs may not exceed the period of 

remaining collections. AMD Treat, a member of OSMRE’s Technical 

Innovation and Professional Services (TIPS) suite of software, is a 

computer application for estimating abatement costs for pollutional mine 

drainage, commonly referred to as Acid Mine Drainage or AMD (also Acid 
A-109

Rock Drainage or ARD). See the section on Polluted Mine Drainage below 

for more information about the software and how to obtain it.

(1) Treatment of small flows < 15 gpm 

(Such as limestone drains, air seals, or aeration weirs):

(2) Treatment of flows from about 15 -100 gpm: Cost can be as high 

as $100,000.

(3) Treatment of flows from about 100-500 gpm: Cost can be as high

as $500,000.

(4) Treatment of flows > 500 gpm: Costs can exceed $500,000.

b. Stream cleaning: Costs will depend on size of stream and the complexities 

associated with the work.

c. Treating/draining ponds: Costs depend on the amount of water to be 

drained or treated.

d. Backfilling pits, draining and backfilling ponds or pits: Cost per acre per 

10’ depth.

6. Structures:

Use discretion when estimating costs for structures. Base estimates on the size, 

condition, accessibility, and type of construction material (steel, reinforced 

concrete, wood, sheet metal, etc.) of the structure to be dismantled.

7. Portals and Vertical Openings:

Costs for sealing portals and shafts will vary depending on the type of reclamation 

selected. Normally the more openings that are sealed under one contract the less it 

will cost per opening.

8. Underground Mine Fires:

Reclamation costs should be based on the cubic yardage (CY) of overburden 

overlying the mine fire. Estimates of surface extent and depth for UMF cost 

determinations should be based on Geotechnical data and/or observable surface 

features. Surface features include ground cracks and ground openings (that may 

or may not be venting visual steam, combustion products, and heat emissions), 

dead and dying vegetation, lack of forest/organic litter, burned trees, and elevated 

ground temperatures. eAMLIS shall contain, in narrative form, the evidence 
A-110

used to calculate volume estimates. The estimator should determine the 

following mine fire parameters:

a. Surface area of the estimated burn zone;

b. Average depth of overburden to the bottom of the coal seam;

c. Volume of the burn area in cubic yards. [Multiply surface area (ft2

) by the 

average overburden depth in feet for total cubic feet. Divide by 27 for 

total cubic yards];

d. Geotechnical drilling may be useful in determining volume estimates;

e. Narrative and objective evidence for establishing burn zone and surface 

area should be provided on the supplemental form; and

f. Reclamation cost: Multiply total cubic yards by your regional/state unit 

value to determine cost per cubic yard.

9. Large Subsidence Prone Areas Impacting Property:

a. Establishing Extent:

If there is evidence of subsidence activity and/or continued damage within the last 

five years, use the procedure below for defining the extent of a subsidence prone 

area. This procedure uses the type of land use and depth of mining to project the 

number of acres which could be affected per subsidence event. For example, in a 

highly developed area with a mining depth of greater than 100 feet, you would 

claim 5 acres of affected land. If there were 3 separate events you would multiply 

5 X 3 for a total of 15 acres to be reclaimed. The following table gives some 

suggested acres per event for different scenarios.
A-111

Guidelines For Setting Extent of Impact Area

Type of Land Use Mining Depth Acres/Event

A. Highly Developed

> 100 5

50 – 100 4

< 50 3

B. Developed 

(suburban and 

industrial)

≥ 50 2

< 50 1

C. Rural (limited use 

and individual settings)

≥ 50 1

< 50 1⁄2

b. Subsidence Reclamation Cost:

Costs for subsidence abatement over a large area are based on regional/state 

values developed by historical data or through various construction cost guides 

described previously in this chapter. The total number of acres determined from 

the table above is multiplied by this value to get an estimated reclamation cost. In 

the previous example you would multiply 5 acres per event times 3 events times 

your regional/state per acre value. These estimated costs do not include 

administrative or design development costs.

c. Polluted Mine Drainage:

Reclamation costs of large flows of polluted mine drainage may be affected by 

several variables. These include:

(1) Seasonal flow rate variability;

(2) Variability of the pH and iron content (or other pollutants) of the 

drainage;

(3) The number of drainage sources;

(4) The impact on any receiving streams; or
A-112

(5) The interrelationships between drainage in the PA and that from 

other PAs.

Water treatment methods may be very site-specific with such options as air seals, 

aeration weirs, holding ponds, limestone drains, recharge control, and treatment 

plants being considered. For purposes of formulating cost estimates, it is assumed 

that treatment plants could be required for the larger flows although it is 

recognized that this means of addressing a particular problem might not prove to 

be the most appropriate after required engineering studies have been done.

It is also recognized that use of a water treatment facility does not provide true

reclamation but only abatement of the problem for as long as plant maintenance is 

continued. This is an example of a problem not being addressed in full during the 

course of the AML program. In order to provide the required cost estimates, some 

assumptions should be made. The flow rate is the average rate over a year’s time.

a. A treatment facility will be needed;

b. Lime with sludge removal method will be used; or

c. Treatment costs for moderate acidity will apply in all cases.

As discussed above under Water Problems, water treatment costs may not exceed 

the period of remaining collections with the 2006 SMCRA Amendments, which 

extended AML fee collections through 2021.

Water problems involving wells and septic systems require more individual 

consideration. Providing new cased wells or installing new water lines may be the 

most cost-effective method in the long run when addressing polluted domestic 

water supplies.

Note: AMD Treat, a member of OSMRE’s Technical Innovation and Professional 

Services (TIPS) suite of software, is a computer application for estimating 

abatement costs for pollution mine drainage, commonly referred to as Acid Mine 

Drainage or AMD (also Acid Rock Drainage or ARD). AMD Treat offers users a 

method to predict and model water treatment costs for mine drainage problems. It 

also allows for the determination of capital cost associated with treatment of 

polluted mine drainage. AMD Treat provides many different treatment options 

both for passive and active treatment systems. The acid mine drainage abatement 

cost model provides over 500 user modifiable variables in modeling costs for 

treatment facility construction, excavation, revegetation, piping, road 

construction, land acquisition, system maintenance, labor, water sampling, design, 

surveying, pumping, sludge removal, chemical consumption, clearing and 

grubbing, mechanical aeration, and ditching. AMD Treat also contains several 

financial and scientific tools to help select and plan treatment systems. These tools 
A-113

include a long-term financial forecasting module, an acidity calculator, a sulfate 

reduction calculator, a Langelier saturation index calculator, a mass balance 

calculator, an abiotic homogeneous Fe2+ oxidation calculator, a biotic 

homogeneous Fe2+ oxidation calculator, an oxidation tool, and a metric 

conversion tool (Metri-Treat). 

AMDTreat was developed cooperatively by the Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Department of Environmental 

Protection, U.S. Geological Survey, and OSMRE. The software is available to the 

public as a free download at: https://www.osmre.gov/programs/reclaimingabandoned-mine-lands/amdtreat

E. Examples of Acceptable Cost Estimation Types:

1. Previous Reclamation Projects: 

If only three or less projects exist within the past 5 years this method is not

recommended. Follow the guidelines below:

a. Use project costs no more than 5 years old; and

b. List the names and Problem Area Description numbers for all sites being 

used to calculate the average cost.

Example: Dangerous Highwall: 1,000 LF (linear feet). 

Review of eAMLIS projects within your state shows an average cost over the last 5 years 

of $100/LF reclaimed. Therefore, the estimated reclamation cost is:

1,000 LF X $100 = $100,000.

This is the estimate to enter into eAMLIS. Ideally, one should have at least 4-5 sites to 

get a more accurate picture of the average costs for a given Problem Type. When using 

this method, list the eAMLIS ID number, completion date, and completed cost for 

each comparable problem type used for the estimate.

2. Engineer Estimate: 

Use a pre-developed data sheet (spreadsheet) with various costs used by local or state 

designers to estimate costs when developing work specifications. For example:

Example: Vertical Opening: Shaft

a. Rock Backfill: 200 Tons X $20/ton; 
A-114

b. Soil cover: 50 CY X $4/CY; 

c. Foam: 5 CY X $300/CY = $1,500.

To figure other costs such as mobilization/demobilization, site preparation, etc., add 

10-20 percent to the estimated cost for each added item.

The idea is to get a good estimate based on information obtained during the investigation 

of the site. By using pre-developed costs for individual reclamation items, a more 

accurate estimate can be generated. The estimate may need to be adjusted once the work 

is engineered and designed; however, this method will give the reviewer sufficient detail 

to determine how the eAMLIS estimate was calculated.

3. Industry Publications:

a. Similar to an engineer estimate; and

b. Use types of publications (R.S. Means, Dodge Data, etc.).

This method helps to develop costs for reclamation items that are based on the industry’s 

average cost for types of work performed. This method can be an accurate method to use 

since these sources consider all parameters, including costs associated with wages, 

compensation, overhead and profit, etc. There is also a regional inflation factor that 

sometimes must be incorporated when using these sources, which is usually stated within 

the publication or online source. When using this method, list the publication used 

and the items being used to calculate the reclamation cost. This can also be used in 

conjunction with the engineer estimate when a pre-determined cost has not been 

developed for a particular reclamation item. 

There are other ways to determine costs for eAMLIS features. The methods listed above 

are just a few examples. Whatever method you plan to use to calculate costs should 

be detailed enough for the OSMRE reviewer to clearly understand how the cost 

estimate entered into eAMLIS was determined.
A-115

CHAPTER 7

DIRECTIONS FOR CREATING PLANNING UNITS AND PROBLEM 

AREAS

A. Creating Planning Units (PU)

Each State has been divided into Water Cataloging Units (WCU) by the Water Resources 

Council. These appear on the State’s Hydrologic Unit Map, which was prepared by the 

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. 

Water Resources Council.

In preparation for conducting the original AML Inventory, each State/Tribe or their 

contractor prepared 1:250,000 map overlays that identified WCUs and delineated PUs 

within the WCU. The entire WCU may be 1 PU or subdivided into several PUs. PA are 

located within the PU.

When a new PA is identified, its PU and WCU location can be obtained from one of the 

above sources. Since PUs were designated for all known areas where coal reserves 

occurred, it is likely that new coal PAs will be located in one of these existing PUs. If 

not, it should be relatively close to one. The simplest way to take care of this situation is 

to adjust the PU boundary to include this new PA. However, non-coal features may not 

be in or near a designated PU and a new PU will need to be made. Be sure the 

adjustment to the boundary of an existing PU or the boundary of a new PU do not 

cross a WCU line.

When a new PU needs to be created, use the following method:

1. First, note how other PUs in the State/Tribe were determined and try to use 

the same methodology. In general, PUs east of the Mississippi River 

corresponds to watersheds. PUs in the West were defined in a number of ways, 

including quadrangles, grazing districts (Navajo), townships, counties, or entire 

WCUs.

2. Use the WCU as 1 PU or subdivide the WCU into several PUs.

3. Give the PU a unique name and number.

4. Add the new PU to the map.

B. Creating Problem Areas (PA)

A PA is a subdivision of a PU, containing one or more AML-related problems or one or 

more non-coal mining related Problem Types together with impacted land and water. The 

PA should be large enough to contain significant problems but small enough that a 
A-116

single project could reasonably be expected to address all of the problems. For PAs 

recording non-mining related accomplishments by Certified States and Tribes using 

Section 411(h)(1) or 411(h)(2) funding, see discussion below.

A PA is a uniquely defined geographic region. AML reclamation within a PA can 

be accomplished by more than one Program Area.

Since PAs consist of AML impacted areas, the PAs in a PU will seldom cover all of 

the area in a PU. If a new Problem Type feature is identified which is not in an existing 

PA but is relatively close to one, the Preparer may adjust the boundary of the existing PA 

to include the new Problem Type feature. However, if a new PA needs to be created, 

consider the following criteria in determining its boundaries:

1. The PA should be within a PU boundary.

2. PAs should be confined to a single county. Separate PAs should be created 

whenever the AML problem spans county lines.

3. PAs should be large enough to contain significant impacts. The area can 

contain any combination of health and safety, and restoration problems. The 

extent of the problem (subsidence, for example) should form the limits of the PA.

4. The new PA will have a unique name and number and an associated 

Program Area Code.

C. Certified Program Non-Mining Related Accomplishments

Certified States and Tribes may record in eAMLIS non-mining related accomplishments 

with funding provided under SMCRA Section 411(h)(1) or 411(h)(2). Recording such 

information may require the establishment of a PA when the accomplishments do not fall 

within the geographic area of an established or a reasonably revised PA, or when the 

activity is State-wide or very general in application.

When establishing new PAs for non-mining related accomplishments, certified programs 

may choose to set-aside or designate specific PA numerical ranges for such projects. 

eAMLIS will allow for a narrative description of the accomplishments and recordation of 

costs. PA names may be developed that provide an indication of the type of non-mining 

related activities conducted.

Further data entry should reflect the county, specific location, Congressional District, and 

other information that accurately describes the type and location of the non-mining 

related expenditure. Certified programs should establish a consistent approach for 

recordation of non-mining related accomplishments that are not tied to a specific 

location. A certified state may wish to designate an area encompassing the State Capitol, 

county seat, or other administrative location as a PA to record non-mining expenditures 

that apply across the region.
A-117

CHAPTER 8

PROBLEM AREA MAPPING

To generally locate each PA, eAMLIS will require a set of coordinates. However, to fully 

document the location of AML individual problems and to support the “paper-less” eAMLIS 

platform, maps shall be uploaded to eAMLIS with notations to show the location of hazards 

clustered within a PA.

A map must be prepared for each PA showing:

1. Quadrangle name,

2. PA boundaries,

3. PA number, and

4. Approximate location of each AML problem.

Maps must be updated as needed to add new Problem Type features to the Inventory. Reclaimed 

hazards are not to be removed from the PA map in order to maintain the historical record of 

AML problem location. You may develop a symbol to denote reclaimed features.

Electronic maps uploaded to eAMLIS may include scanned paper maps or maps generated by 

GIS software. The map format will be, at a minimum, an electronic copy of an 8 x 11-inch 

section of a 7.5 minute quadrangle map. You may supplement the 7.5 minute map with a 

sketch map to show the location of hazards clustered in a small area. Since the map is a part of 

the PAD, the map and any supplemental sketch maps will be uploaded to eAMLIS.

Map files uploaded to eAMLIS should be of a platform that allows review by commonly 

available software, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe pdf, JPEG files, or other files that use a 

commonly available viewer. File size shall be no larger than that needed to provide sufficient 

detail to locate AML problems and complete site reviews. The goal is to allow access to the 

maps without purchasing special software. Electronic maps must meet the minimum 

requirements as described above and must be maintained as part of the permanent record.
A-118

CHAPTER 9

EMERGENCY PROGRAM INVENTORY UPDATE RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Background

In the past, AML emergency project accomplishments have been placed in the Inventory 

only by States with emergency program responsibilities. To establish program-wide 

accomplishments, OSMRE had to gather information from Federal Emergency Program 

officials and then try to report them in a manner consistent with all other types of AML 

projects. Completed emergency problems (using Program codes SEA, EBI, or EMA) 

MUST include an Abate Date entered into eAMLIS shortly after they are remedied.

B. Requirements

1. State emergency projects:

a. All State emergency projects must be placed in the AML Inventory 

soon after construction has been completed.

b. Program officials must enter emergency projects in already 

established or new PAs.

c. If placement into a site-specific PA is not possible, then the emergency 

must be entered into specially created county emergency PAD. These 

specially created PADs will contain information for all emergencies in a 

county not included in another PAD. Include the latitude and longitude in 

the Problem Type Comments section for each individual emergency 

project in the county.

d. Those emergency projects affecting a high priority project funded 

under another program require a PAD submission at time of 

completion to address changes in AML Problem Types.

e. When preparing a PAD to report completion of reclamation, features 

and costs must be reported in eAMLIS by uploading the appropriate 

documentation.

2. Federal emergency projects:

For Federal emergency projects use program code EMA and enter the P1 problem type 

directly into the “Completed” costs and units in eAMLIS.
A-119

CHAPTER 10

RURAL ABANDONED MINE PROGRAM (RAMP) INVENTORY UPDATE 

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Background

In the past, RAMP AML Inventory information had been placed in the Inventory by 

OSM as a result of PADs and PAD updates submitted through the States from the USDA, 

NRCS. This system resulted in several problems. Occasionally, features contained in the 

Inventory of AML problems submitted by RAMP were also contained under the State 

AML program. In some instances, this caused a double counting of potential AML 

impacts. In addition, problems reclaimed by RAMP could still appear as unreclaimed 

impacts under the State Program.

B. Unfunded RAMP Problems

Unfunded RAMP problems will remain in the Inventory even though there may be some 

double counting. The State and RAMP programs are encouraged to work together to 

develop a consistent Inventory of unfunded problems.

C. Requirements

The 2006 amendments to SMCRA eliminated Title IV as a source of funding for RAMP 

projects. However, the RAMP is still provided for under SMCRA Section 406 if General 

Treasury funds are made available by Congress. Consequently, historical RAMP 

information will continue to be maintained. In addition, the following requirements and 

responsibilities apply to State and OSM officials when working with RAMP officials:

1. All unfunded RAMP projects must be put in the Inventory upon request by the 

Secretary of Agriculture. The State and RAMP programs are encouraged to 

coordinate to minimize disruption to ongoing program operations.

2. Upon request by the Secretary of Agriculture, all RAMP funded projects must be 

entered in the Inventory as “funded” when a construction contract is signed and 

moved to completed at the time of completion.

3. Prior to the development of information for inclusion into the AML Inventory, 

RAMP officials should coordinate with the appropriate State AML program 

officials to ensure that PAs are accurately defined and designated. In the cases 

where RAMP is proposing work that would alter an existing PA, RAMP officials 

should coordinate with the State to ensure that the data in the Inventory are 

accurate upon completion of the process. For example, RAMP might reclaim a 

problem shown as unfunded in the State eAMLIS information.

4. When RAMP proposes work that results in a new PA, RAMP officials should 
A-120

coordinate with the State AML program officials to obtain a new PA number 

(State assigns number).

5. Once the PA information is developed by NRCS, RAMP officials should 

coordinate with the State AML program officials to have the data entered into 

the AML Inventory.

The following requirements and responsibilities apply to State AML program officials:

a. State AML program officials control the assigning of PA numbers and 

must be responsive to RAMP to ensure that all RAMP problems are 

placed into the Inventory and updated upon request by the Secretary of 

Agriculture.

b. State AML program officials must coordinate with the appropriate RAMP 

official to ensure that PAs are accurately defined and designated. In the 

cases where RAMP is proposing work that would alter an existing PA, they 

must coordinate with the RAMP to ensure that the data in the Inventory are 

accurate upon completion of the process. The State and RAMP programs 

are encouraged to work together to develop a consistent Inventory of 

RAMP problems.

c. When RAMP coordinates with the State to obtain a new PA number, State 

AML program officials must ensure that the new PA is properly numbered, 

does not overlap any existing PA, and the new PAD does not contain 

information that conflicts with existing Inventory data.

d. Once RAMP develops PA information, the State must coordinate with 

RAMP to have the data entered into the AML Inventory.
A-121

CHAPTER 11

ABANDONED MINE LAND ECONOMIC REVITILIZATION (AMLER)

PROGRAM

A. Background

Congress has appropriated funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic 

Revitalization (AMLER) Program (previously known as the AML Pilot Program) on an 

annual basis since Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. The intent of the program is to explore and 

implement strategies that return legacy coal mining sites to productive uses through 

economic and community development. The AMLER Program supports local 

investment opportunities that provide for sustainable long-term rehabilitation of coalfield 

economies. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) 

administers the AMLER program and provides eligible states and Tribes with AMLER 

grants and guidance on project eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

B. AMLER Guidance on AMLER Project Eligibility

Please visit the OSMRE AMLER website to access the most recent AMLER Project 

Eligibility Guidance Document.

This document provides eligibility requirements for AMLER projects. It also includes 

information regarding real property and reporting requirements that apply to AMLER 

projects from all fiscal years.

C. Eligible Projects

Sites eligible under the AMLER Program:

1. Unreclaimed Priority 1, Priority 2, or Priority 3 sites (i.e., AML lands and polluted 

waters) listed in eAMLIS.

2. Previously reclaimed AML lands and polluted waters.

3. Land adjacent to unreclaimed or previously reclaimed AML lands and polluted 

waters as justified by the State, Tribe, and/or the communities impacted by historic 

coal production.

Please note: Currently permitted Title V mine sites are not eligible to receive AMLER 

funds. Formerly permitted mine sites reclaimed after August 3, 1977, that are adjacent to, 

or connected with, an eligible AMLER project may be included in AMLER funding. 

Consistent with 30 C.F.R. § 874.16, any person or entity that is in violation of SMCRA is 

not eligible for AMLER funding.
A-122

D. eAMLIS entries for eligible AMLER projects

For AMLER-eligible projects, select the appropriate problem type with associated unit(s) 

and costs. Then, add a new Problem Type Priority 3 (P3) “Other.” The two problem 

types may be linked through Adjacency. (For more discussion on Adjacency please see 

Chapter 2.) Both problems should be tagged with the AMLER Fund Code (MLR). Add 

the actual cost of reclamation to the original problem. Subsequently, add the AMLER 

project costs to the P3 Other entry.

Example: Pennsylvania wants to fund an eligible recreational facility called The Big 

Mountain Outdoor Recreation Trail project. The project will consist of two sections of 

trail infrastructure development: 1) reclamation and construction on abandoned mine

lands (covering 10 acres of a nearby P2 DPE and 1,000 linear feet of a P1 DH) to 

create 10 miles of trails within The Big Mountain Outdoor Recreation Trail Network, 

using $2,000,000 of AMLER funding; and 2) construction of trail facilities and five 

miles of feeder trails on adjacent properties that will connect to The Big Mountain

Outdoor Recreation Trail Network, leveraging private funding (see Chapter 2 for details 

on alternate funding sources). 

This fictitious AMLER project would have three main entries: 

1. P2 DPE, MLR Fund Code, 10 acres, with an estimated Unfunded Cost of 

$400,000. A Priority Documentation form, maps, and cost estimates should be 

uploaded for this P2 DPE.

2. P1 DH, MLR Fund Code, 1,000 linear feet, with and estimated Unfunded Cost of 

$100,000. The construction costs for the DPE and DH should reflect the actual 

costs to reclaim these two problem type features. A Priority Documentation form, 

maps, and cost estimates should be uploaded for this P1 DH.

3. P3 Other, MLR Fund Code: the units recorded could be the miles of main and 

feeder trails for the project but due to the nature of the P3 Other problem type, units 

vary and are not counted in OSM’s GPRA Annual Reports and Accomplishments. 

In this example, the remaining $1,500,000 is the Unfunded Costs for the various 

trails and trail facilities. Although this P3 Other does not require a Priority 

Documentation form, Pennsylvania will upload all supporting eligibility 

documentation, maps, and cost details for this AMLER project here. Additional 

notes should be added to the PAD Comments section.

Contact the eAMLIS Coordinator with any questions relating to AMLER project entries.
A-123

CHAPTER 12

BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL)

A. Background

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) (Pub. L. No. 117-58), also known as the 

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was enacted on November 15, 2021. The BIL 

authorized and appropriated $11.293 billion for deposit into the Abandoned Mine 

Reclamation Fund administered by OSMRE. Of the $11.293 billion appropriated 

OSMRE will distribute approximately $10.873 billion in BIL Abandoned Mine Land 

(AML) grants to eligible States and Tribes on an equal annual basis —approximately 

$725 million a year over a 15-year period. In accordance with Executive Order 14008 

States and Tribes are encouraged to prioritize projects that equitably provide funding 

under the Justice40 Initiative towards meeting the goal that 40 percent of the overall 

benefits flow to disadvantaged communities.

BIL funds will expand the AML Reclamation Program to meet the priorities described in 

the BIL and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as amended. 

States and Tribes may use BIL AML grants to address coal AML problems, including:

• Hazards resulting from legacy coal mining that pose a threat to public health, safety, and 

the environment within their jurisdictions (including, but not limited to, dangerous 

highwalls, waste piles, subsidence, open portals, features that may be routes for the 

release of harmful gases, acid mine drainage, etc.);

• Water supply restoration (infrastructure); 

• Coal AML emergencies (Fund Code: EBI for BIL-funded emergency projects); and

• Deposit up to 30% of annual BIL AML grant funds in a State or Tribal long-term 

abandoned mine land reclamation fund to be expended on the abatement and treatment of 

acid mine drainage, subsidence, and coal mine fires. (Fund Code: STA for STREAM Act 

funded problems.)

B. Eligible States and Tribes

Pursuant to section 40701(b)(2) of the BIL, eligible grant recipients include both certified 

and uncertified States and Tribes carrying out approved AML Programs. A certified 

State or Tribe is a State or Tribe that has certified that all coal reclamation projects that 

are considered a priority under section 403(a)of SMCRA have been completed. An 

uncertified State or Tribe is a State or Tribe that has not yet made the certification that 

reclamation of all priority coal reclamation projects in the State or on applicable Indian 

lands have been completed.
A-124

C. Eligible Projects and Prioritization

BIL AML funding may only be spent on coal reclamation projects. According to section 

40701(c) of the BIL, BIL AML grants may only be used on one or more of the following:

1. Priority 1 Projects – These projects protect public health and safety from 

extreme effects of coal mining practices, including the restoration of adjacent land 

and water resources and the environment (Section 403(a)(1) of SMCRA).

2. Priority 2 Projects – These projects protect public health and safety from adverse 

effects of coal mining practices, including the restoration of adjacent land and 

water resources and the environment (Section 403(a)(2) of SMCRA).

3. Priority 3 Projects – These projects restore land and water resources and the 

environment previously degraded by adverse effects of coal mining practices 

(Section 403(a)(3) of SMCRA). These projects may include the design, 

construction, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of acid mine drainage 

(AMD) treatment facilities regardless of whether they are part of a qualified 

hydrologic unit.

4. Water Supply Restoration Projects - protection, repair, replacement, 

construction, or enhancement of facilities relating to water supply, including 

water distribution facilities and treatment plants, to replace water supplies 

adversely affected by coal mining practices (Section 403(b) of SMCRA).

5. AML Emergency Projects - Emergency projects that restore, reclaim, abate, 

control, or prevent adverse effects of coal mining practices, on eligible lands 

when an emergency exists constituting a danger to the public health, safety, or 

general welfare and no other person or agency will act expeditiously to restore, 

reclaim, abate, control, or prevent adverse effects of coal mining practices 

(Section 410 of SMCRA).

In addition to the above uses, Division DD, Title VIII, Sec. 801 of the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2023, (commonly referred to as the “STREAM Act” after the 

standalone legislation containing the language) amended section 40701(c) of the BIL to 

authorize eligible States and Tribes to retain up to 30 percent of the “total amount of a 

grant made annually” under section 40701(b)(1) of the BIL in a “long-term abandoned 

mine land reclamation fund established under State law, from which amounts (together 

with all interest earned on the amounts) are expended by the State or Tribe” for (1) the 

abatement of the causes and the treatment of acid mine drainage resulting from coal 

mining practices including costs associated with acid mine drainage treatment systems; 

(2) the prevention, abatement, and control of subsidence; or (3) the prevention, 

abatement, and control of coal mine fires. 

AML projects that are exclusively funded using BIL long-term abandoned mine land 

reclamation funds must be entered into eAMLIS upon completion. 
A-125

Use of BIL funding differs from the traditional fee-based AML funding in a few 

important ways:

a. Stand-alone projects classified as Priority 3 under SMCRA Title IV are 

eligible for BIL funding, whether or not the project is in conjunction with 

other projects classified as Priority 1 and Priority 2 projects under SMCRA 

Title IV;

b. AMD treatment projects that are not part of a qualified hydrologic unit are 

eligible for BIL funding;

c. Unlike fee-based AML funding, BIL AML funding placed in a long-term 

abandoned mine land reclamation fund can also be used for coal mine fires 

and subsidence, in addition to AMD treatment projects.

NOTE: At the time of this revision, the mechanisms to capture reporting measures 

unique to BIL projects in eAMLIS are currently under development. 
A-126

CHAPTER 13

GLOSSARY

Term Definition

Abandoned Mine Land 

Inventory

A national system for recording health and safety and environmental 

impacts associated with abandoned coal mines. It also contains limited 

information on non-coal mine related problems. The Inventory contains 

information on the location, type, and extent of AML impacts, as well as 

information on the cost associated with the reclamation of those 

problems. The Inventory is based upon field surveys by State, Tribe, and 

OSMRE program officials, and is dynamic to the extent that it is modified 

as new problems are identified and existing problems are reclaimed. The 

AML Inventory consists of the information collected about AML impacts, 

the guidance documents for managing the information, and the eAMLIS 

computerized database.

Abandoned Mine Land 

Inventory System 

(eAMLIS)

A computerized database containing the AML Inventory information. 

eAMLIS stores data and related information and provides information 

(reports, maps, data files) showing the status of unfunded, funded, and 

completed Priority 1 and 2 AML problems for pre-SMCRA coal State 

grant reclamation programs, the FRP, and the USDA/NRCS RAMP. In 

addition, eAMLIS contains unfunded, funded and completed problems for 

the following programs/priorities: State grant reclamation of Priority 3 

problems, post-SMCRA interim coal sites and insolvent surety coal sites, 

and non-coal sites. eAMLIS contains information on completed problems 

for Priority 4 (facilities), and Priority 5 (earlier projects for the 

development of public lands), AMD-Set-Aside sites, and State and 

Federal Emergency Programs. It also contains limited information on 

remining, and reclamation accomplished through other means, such as 

private citizens. It also contains completed information on 

accomplishments by Certified States and Tribes using 411(h)(1) and 

(h)(2) funding to maintain certification, address non-coal hazards, 

conduct projects to address the impacts of mineral development, and for 

non- mining related purposes.

30% Acid Mine Drainage 

Set-Aside Program

A program established under Section 402(g)(6)(A) of SMCRA whereby a 

State may set-aside up to 30% of the funds received under Section 

402(g)(1) and (g)(5) for the purposes of abatement and treatment of the 

effects of acid mine drainage. Prior to December 20, 2006, the set-aside 

was limited to 10%; thus previously referred to as the 10% Acid Mine 

Drainage Set-Aside.
A-127

Adjacent Land and Water 

Resources

Eligible land and water resources geographically contiguous to a site that 

has been or will be addressed to protect the public health, safety, and 

property from extreme danger or adverse effects of coal mining practices. 

States and Tribes may record cost information for an adjacent land and 

water resource (Priority 3 Problem Type feature) as a Priority 1 or 2 

expenditure when it is geographically contiguous to a current or 

previously reclaimed Priority 1 or 2 site.

AML Fund A special fund created on the books of the Treasury of the United States 

and administered by OSMRE

AML Problem Priority Funding priorities established by Congress in Section 403(a) of SMCRA. 

In general, the priorities are defined in terms of their potential impacts on 

public health and safety and to the environment.

Approved Reclamation 

Plan

A plan submitted and approved under Part 884 of 30 CFR.

Authorization to Proceed A formal notification of OSMRE's approval for the expenditure of grant 

funds to begin construction on a specific project. The ATP process 

ensures that States/Tribes have taken all actions necessary to ensure 

compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) 

(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any other applicable laws, clearances, 

permits, or requirements.

Certification The Governor of a State, or the head of a governing body of a Tribe, with 

an approved abandoned mine land reclamation program, may certify to 

the Secretary of the Interior that all of the known coal problem priorities 

stated in Section 403(a) of SMCRA for eligible lands and waters have 

been addressed. In addition, the Secretary may, on behalf of a State or 

Tribe, certify the completion of all known coal problems. Under either 

approach, the Secretary must provide an opportunity for public comment 

in the Federal Register prior to a final decision.

Completed An AML reclamation project is considered completed for purposes of the 

AML Inventory when construction is complete.

Consolidated 

Appropriations Act 2023

Division DD, Title VIII, Sec. 801 of the Consolidated Appropriations 

Act, 2023, (commonly referred to as the “STREAM Act” after the 

standalone legislation containing the language) amended section 

40701(c) of the BIL to authorize eligible States and Tribes to retain up to 

30 percent of the “total amount of a grant made annually” under section 

40701(b)(1) of the BIL in a “long-term abandoned mine land reclamation 

fund established under State law, from which amounts (together with all 

interest earned on the amounts) are expended by the State or Tribe” for 

(1) the abatement of the causes and the treatment of acid mine drainage 

resulting from coal mining practices including costs associated with acid 

mine drainage treatment systems; (2) the prevention, abatement, and 

control of subsidence; or (3) the prevention, abatement, and control of 

coal mine fires. 
A-128

Eligible Lands and Waters As specified in Sections 404 [coal] and 411 [non-coal] of SMCRA, land 

and waters which were mined for coal and other minerals, or which were 

affected by such mining or processing and abandoned or left in an 

inadequate state of reclamation, and for which there is no continuing 

reclamation responsibility under State or other Federal laws. Section 404 

contains cross-references to other SMCRA sections for lands and waters 

eligible for reclamation: 402(g)(4) post-SMCRA interim program and 

insolvent surety sites; 403(b)(1) water supply projects; and 409 precertification non-coal related problems.

Emergency A sudden danger or impairment that presents a high probability of 

substantial physical harm to the health and safety of people before the 

danger can be abated under normal program operation procedures.

Federal Reclamation 

Program

An OSMRE program that conducts emergency and high priority 

reclamation in States/Tribes not having their own emergency or AML 

programs.

Federal Assistance Manual Official repository of policies and procedures for the management and 

administration of OSMRE's financial assistance programs.

411(f) Construction of public facilities authorized under Section 411(f) of 

SMCRA by certified States and Tribes (see definition of Priority F 

below).

Funded An AML reclamation project is considered funded for purposes of the 

AML Inventory when OSMRE approves an Authorization to Proceed or 

a construction contract has been signed.

Geographically Contiguous For the purposes of implementing the definition of Adjacent Land and 

Water Resources Priority 3 reclamation, a land and water reclamation 

Problem Type feature (Priority 3) will be considered geographically 

contiguous if it is touching along a boundary or at a point to either a 

Priority 1 or Priority 2 site that contained or still contains a Priority 1 or 

Priority 2 health and safety problem.

Historical Coal Distribution A formula based on the amount of coal historically produced in the State 

or from the Tribe lands, prior to August 3, 1977.

Insolvent Surety Sites Lands and waters mined for coal or affected by coal mining practices 

where the mining occurred and the area was left in either an unreclaimed 

or inadequately reclaimed condition between August 4, 1977 and 

November 5, 1990; where the surety of the mining operator become 

insolvent during such period, and that, as of November 5, 1990, funds 

immediately available from proceedings relating to such insolvency or 

from any financial guarantee or other sources are not sufficient to provide 

for adequate reclamation or abatement at the site.

Problem Type An AML Problem Type is a defined category of AML problem (i.e., DH 

= dangerous highwall).
A-129

Problem Type Feature A Problem Type feature is a specific on-the-ground feature that meets the 

definition of one of the AML Problem Types. Within a PA there may be 

many occurrences of a Problem Type. For example, if a PA contains 

three different portals plus two different segments of dangerous highwall, 

there are two Problem Types and five Problem Type features within the 

PA.

Long-Term Recurring 

Reclamation Costs

Routine abatement costs subsequent to the completion of the construction 

phase of a project, such as AMD or drinking water treatment costs. Costs 

should include direct expenditures for materials, chemicals, 

maintenance/repairs, sludge removal, and site labor. Consultant contracts 

and agency personnel expenditures should only be included if it is an 

essential component of the day-to-day abatement activity such as routine 

site labor. Design contracts and any agency management costs should 

not be entered.

Minimum Program Program established by Congress in 1988 [now in Section 402 (g)(8)] to 

ensure funding reclamation of high priority problems in States/Tribes 

where the annual distribution is otherwise too small for the State/Tribe to 

administer a program and conduct reclamation.

Non-program States and 

Tribes

States/Tribes having eligible AML problems but no AML program.

OSM 76 Form See Abandoned Mine Land Problem Area Description (PAD) (OSM-76: 

OMB Number: 1029-0087). The paper version of this form has been 

eliminated.

Planning Unit Subdivision(s) of Water Cataloging Units (WCU) established by the 

Water Resources Council.

Populated Area Populated area is one where anyone lives within a half mile of the 

problem.

Pre-SMCRA Prior to the enactment of SMCRA on August 3, 1977.

Priority 1 An AML problem category meeting the conditions under Section 

403(a)(1) [coal], or 411(c)(1) [non-coal] of SMCRA concerning the 

protection of public health, safety, and property from extreme danger of 

adverse effects of mining practices or a condition that could reasonably 

be expected to cause substantial physical harm to persons or property, 

and to which persons or improvements on real property are currently 

exposed. NOTE: eAMLIS allows the costs for land and water 

reclamation adjacent to health and safety problems to be recorded as high 

priority expenditure. See Chapter 2.

Priority 2 An AML problem category meeting the conditions under Section 

403(a)(2) [coal] or 411(c)(2) [non-coal] of SMCRA concerning the 

protection of public health and safety from the adverse effects of mining 

practices or a condition that is threatening people but is not an extreme 

danger. NOTE: eAMLIS allows the costs for land and water reclamation 

adjacent to health and safety problems to be recorded as high priority 

expenditure. See Chapter 2.
A-130

Priority 3 An AML problem category meeting the conditions under Section 

403(a)(3) [coal] or 411(c)(3) [non-coal] of SMCRA concerning the 

restoration of land and water resources and the environment previously 

degraded by the adverse effects of mining practices or a condition that is 

causing degradation of soil, water, woodland, fish, wildlife, recreational 

resources, or agricultural productivity. NOTE: eAMLIS allows the costs 

for land and water reclamation adjacent to health and safety problems to 

be recorded as high priority expenditure. See Chapter 2.

Priority 4 Funding under Section 403(a)(4) of SMCRA prior to its elimination by 

Congress in the 2006 amendments to SMCRA for the protection, repair, 

replacement, construction, or enhancement of public facilities such as 

utilities, roads, recreation, and conservation facilities adversely affected 

by coal mining practices. Also includes funding under Section 411(e) for 

the construction of public facilities in communities impacted by coal or 

other mineral mining or processing practices as they relate to the 

priorities stated in SMCRA 411(c).

Priority 5 Funding under Section 403(a)(5) of SMCRA prior to its elimination by 

Congress in the 2006 amendments to SMCRA for the development of 

publicly owned land adversely affected by coal mining practices 

including land acquired for recreation and historic purposes, 

conservation, reclamation purposes, and open space benefits.

Priority F A pseudo priority created to allow work completed under Section 411(f) 

of SMCRA to be entered into the eAMLIS. There is no priority actually 

associated with these projects.

Priority B A pseudo priority created to allow work completed under Section 403(b) 

of SMCRA to be entered into the eAMLIS. There is no priority actually 

associated with these projects.

Priority H A pseudo priority created to allow work completed under Section 411(h)

of SMCRA to be entered into the eAMLIS. These expenditures were 

authorized under the 2006 AML Reauthorization amendments to 

SMCRA. There is no priority actually associated with these projects.

Priority Documentation The process and eAMLIS documentation related to establishing priorities 

for certain AML Problem Types.

Priority Documentation 

Forms

Forms in Chapter 4 contain specific questions that establish the priority 

of AML Problem Type features. Priority Documentation Forms 

reproduced in a State/Tribe electronic format are acceptable substitutes as 

long as they contain all elements within the forms in Chapter 4.

Problem Area A subdivision(s) of a PU, containing one or more Problem Type(s) 

together with immediately adjacent impacted land and water.

Problem Area Description 

(PAD)

The Problem Area Description (PAD) is specific information required to 

establish an approved Problem Area within eAMLIS to describe AML 

problems. The PAD is OSM-76 form (OMB Number: 1029-0087). The 

paper version of this form was eliminated in 2010 when PAD 

information was fully converted to an electronic format. eAMLIS 

updates are required by all system participants.
A-131

Program State/Tribe State/Tribes having an OSMRE approved AML Program.

Program Area Used to distinguish the different sources of funding for AML 

reclamation, most of which are different programs such as Pre-SMCRA 

Coal, Emergencies, RAMP, and Certified Program 411(h)(1) or 

411(h)(2).

Qualified Hydrologic Unit See also CFR 876.12 Eligibility

A “qualified hydrological unit” means a hydrologic unit which meets the 

following requirements:

1. Water quality has been significantly affected by acid mine drainage 

from coal mining practices in a manner that adversely impacts biological 

resources.

2. The unit contains lands and waters that meet both the following 

requirements:

a. Eligible under section 404 of SMCRA and include any of the coal 

priorities described in section 403(a).

b. The subject of expenditure from the forfeiture of a bond under section 

509 or from other State sources to abate and treat acid mine drainage.

Reclamation Plan See Approved Reclamation Plan.

Research Research and demonstration projects relating to the development of 

surface coal mining reclamation and water quality control methods and 

techniques. Pursuant to the provisions of the 1990 amendments to 

SMCRA, Priority 4 coal related research and demonstration projects can 

no longer be funded. The old Priority 4 projects are now called Research 

projects.

Rural Abandoned Mine 

Program (RAMP) 

A program administered by the USDA/NRCS (formerly the Soil 

Conservation Service. It is primarily aimed at addressing problems 

posed by eligible AML problems in rural areas. The program ceased to 

be eligible to receive Title IV funding as a result of the 2006 amendments 

to SMCRA.

STREAM Act Provision See the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023

Unfunded For purposes of the AML Inventory, an unfunded problem is one which 

OSMRE has yet to approve an Authorization to Proceed or a contract for 

a construction project to reclaim the problem has not been signed.