United States Department of Agriculture 543-CPS-1

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NRCS reviews and periodically updates conservation practice standards. To obtain the current 

version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service State office or 

visit the Field Office Technical Guide online by going to the NRCS website at 

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and type FOTG in the search field. 

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Natural Resources Conservation Service 

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD 

LAND RECLAMATION, ABANDONED MINED LAND 

CODE 543 

(ac)

DEFINITION 

Reclamation of land and water areas adversely affected by past mining activities. 

PURPOSE 

This practice is used to accomplish one or more of the following purposes: 

• Decrease erosion and sedimentation 

• Improve offsite water quality 

• Protect public health and safety 

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES 

This practice applies to abandoned mined land with one or more problems that degrade the quality of the

environment; prevent or interfere with the beneficial uses of soil, water, air, plant, or animal resources; or

endanger human health and safety. 

This practice also applies to nearby nonmined areas adversely affected by the past mining activities.

Treat the source of the problem before or in conjunction with treatment of the nonmined areas. 

CRITERIA 

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes 

Assess the hazards and resource concerns onsite. These hazards and resource concerns may include,

but are not limited to, highwalls, shafts or adits, toxic soils, contaminated runoff, excessive erosion or

sedimentation, invasive or unwanted vegetation, and trash and garbage. Develop a reclamation plan that

addresses the hazards and resource concerns identified for the site. The plan must be consistent with the

site capability, the planned land use, and the landowner’s conservation objectives. Include practices

necessary to reclaim the mined area and areas adjacent to the mined area that are adversely affected by

the mined area. 

Public health and safety 

Prior to beginning onsite investigations, identify possible hazards and implement appropriate safety

precautions. 

Erosion and sediment control 

Control or treat runoff and sedimentation from treatment areas, soil material stockpiles, access roads, and

permanent impoundments. Use sediment-trapping practices, such as filter strips, riparian forest buffers,

contour buffer strips, silt fences, sediment basins, or similar practices. Include temporary practices

necessary during earth moving activities and permanent practices necessary to stabilize the site and

control runoff from the site after reclamation. 
Control the generation of particulate matter and fugitive dust during removal and replacement of soil and

other materials. 

Site preparation 

Identify areas for preservation during construction. Include areas containing desirable trees, shrubs,

grasses, stream corridors, natural springs, historic structures, or other important features that will be

protected during construction activities. 

Remove trees, logs, brush, rubbish, and other debris that interfere with reclamation operations. Dispose

of debris material in a way that does not create a resource problem or interfere with reclamation activities

and the planned land use. 

Storage of soil materials 

Stockpile soil or fill materials until needed for reclamation. Protect stockpiles from wind and water erosion,

dust generation, unnecessary compaction, and contamination by noxious weeds, invasive species, or

other undesirable materials. 

Highwall treatment 

Slope rock walls to slopes that are 0.5:1 (horizontal to vertical) or flatter before placing backfill against the

wall. Determine the thickness and density of lifts for fill material to limit the deep infiltration of precipitation

and to limit settlement of the completed fill to acceptable levels, based on the available fill material and

planned land use. 

Shafts and adits 

Use NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) Mine Shaft and Adit Closing (Code 457)to close/seal a

shaft or adit. Divert runoff away from the shaft or adit. 

Placement of surface material 

Develop a grading plan that returns the site, including any offsite borrow areas, to contours that are

suitable for the planned land use and control soil loss. Include the spreading of stockpiled topsoil material

as the final layer. Treat graded areas to eliminate slippage surfaces and promote root penetration before

spreading surface material. Spread surface soil without causing over-compaction. 

Shape the land surface to provide adequate surface drainage and to blend into the surrounding

topography. Use erosion control practices to reduce slope lengths where sheet and rill erosion exceeds

acceptable levels. If settlement is likely to interfere with the planned land use, develop surface drainage

or water disposal plans that compensate for the expected settlement. 

If the subsurface material is not a source of contamination, improve soil permeability after placing backfill

material by using deep ripping tools to decrease compaction, promote infiltration, and encourage root

development. Do not plan practices that promote infiltration if seepage through cover materials has the

potential to develop or exacerbate acid mine drainage loading or treatment. 

Restoration of borrow material 

If cover or fill material is taken from areas outside the reclamation site, stockpile the topsoil from the

borrow area separately, and replace it on the borrow area after the area is restored for its intended

purpose. Grade and shape the borrow area for proper drainage, and revegetate the site to control

erosion. 

Establishment of vegetation 

Prepare a revegetation plan for the treated areas. Select plant materials suitable for the specified end

land use according to local climate potential, site conditions, and local NRCS criteria. Use native species

where possible. Avoid use of invasive species. 

Use the criteria in NRCS CPS Critical Area Planting (Code 342)to establish grasses and forbs. Use

NRCS CPS Tree-Shrub Establishment (Code 612) for the establishment of trees and shrubs. If vegetation

cannot be established, use NRCS CPS Mulching (Code 484). 

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Control of toxic aqueous discharge 

Identify and document water quality and quantity releases from seeps, overland, and mine shafts.

Quantify water impacts such as low pH, arsenic, etc. Identify measures that may affect treatment such as

dissolved oxygen, iron, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, etc. 

Methods for treatment of toxic aqueous discharge depend upon the type and extent of the contamination.

When control of toxic mine drainage is needed, use best management practices (BMPs) that comply with

State regulatory requirements. Evaluate the consequences of each potential treatment method to avoid

creating a secondary problem. Select a method that can adequately treat the water based on the quantity

and chemistry of the mine water and that is suitable for the planned level of operation and maintenance.

Size the treatment area and settling basin(s) to allow for the volume of flow and treatment rate. Include a

plan for disposal of the precipitated metals and spent treatment material. 

Reduce the volume of contaminated water by diverting clean water away from the contaminated area or

by limiting the opportunity for water to contact contaminated soil materials. Install practices, such as

diversions, underground outlets, lined waterways, or grade stabilization structures, to control surface

runoff. To the extent possible, divert clean upslope runoff away from the treated area. 

Contaminated soil materials 

Remove, bury, or treat soil materials that adversely affect or have the potential to adversely affect water

quality or plant growth. Bury materials containing heavy metals below the root zone, add suitable soil

amendments, or both, to minimize the negative effect of this material. Separate soils with high electrical

conductivity, calcium carbonate, sodium, or other restrictive properties, and treat, if practicable. 

Add a layer of compacted clay or a landfill cover over the contaminated material to deter infiltration. Place

an earthfill blanket over the compacted clay to support plant growth. For each layer, identify the lift

thickness and density needed to limit deep infiltration of precipitation and excessive settlement of the

completed fill. 

Mine sealing 

If clean water is entering a mine opening, divert the water away. If contaminated water is exiting the mine,

it may be necessary to seal the mine to prevent water movement. Use NRCS CPS Mine Shaft and Adit

Closing (Code 457)to design the mine seal. Divert surface water away from the mine seal. 

Neutralization and precipitation 

Precipitate toxic metals and neutralize acidity in mine drainage using chemical or biological treatment.

Select a method that can adequately treat the water based on the quantity and chemistry of the mine

water and that is suitable for the planned level of operation and maintenance. Size the treatment area

and settling basin(s) to allow for the volume of flow and treatment rate. Include a plan for disposal of the

precipitated metals and spent treatment material. 

CONSIDERATIONS 

The key to a successful restoration is often dependent upon the proper placement of soils that will best

support vegetation. One means to do this is to develop a detailed soil survey for the project and proposed

borrow areas. Use the soil survey to identify the types and extent of soil materials and those that will best

support vegetation. 

Maintenance activities need to be done on a regular basis after the initial reclamation to ensure success.

The construction of stabilized access roads allow access to the site for maintenance without causing

erosion problems. 

Reclaimed mine areas can provide important wildlife habitat. Improve the potential for wildlife habitat by

establishing diverse vegetation types, including water in the reclaimed landscape, increasing edge effect,

and diverse landforms. Avoid monocultures of vegetation. Use native, noninvasive vegetative species

where possible. 

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Reclaimed soils are often low in organic matter. The use of organic soil amendments such as manure,

compost, mulch, or sewage sludge can contribute to the success of vegetative establishment by

increasing soil organic matter. Use deep-rooted perennial grasses and trees to further increase the longterm buildup of organic matter in the soil. 

Consider the visual appearance of the completed site to ensure compatibility with nearby land uses. 

Consider the complexity of the operation and maintenance needed for each potential solution during

planning. Select treatments that are compatible with the desired level of maintenance. 

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS 

Prepare plans and specifications that describe the requirements for applying this practice to achieve the

intended purpose or purposes. 

At a minimum, include— 

• A preliminary site report that describes the safety requirements for the investigation. 

• A site investigation report that documents— 

• Risks to life, environment, and property associated with the mine. 

• Purpose of reclamation, including both onsite and offsite, as needed. 

• Access conditions on site. 

• Geology and ground water conditions at the site. 

• Amount of trash and debris onsite. 

• Presence of hazardous gases or acid mine drainage. 

• Inventory of the existing soil conditions, including the chemical and physical properties. 

• Water quality and quantity from seeps, runoff, and mine shafts. 

• Soil tests for pH and nutrients levels. 

• Mine history, including mine plan, if available. 

• Inventory of plant or animal species present onsite. 

• Potential effects of changes to hydrology of site. 

• Plan view of site with the location of structures, water features, etc. 

• Plans showing the final grading to take place on the reclamation area. Identify lift thickness and

compaction requirements. 

• Profiles and cross-sections, as needed. 

• Borrow and spoil requirements, including material types and quantities needed. 

• Disposal plans for material removed from site. 

• The location of topsoil and fill stockpiles. 

• Erosion and sediment control practices. 

• Dust control practices. 

• Soil amendments to be applied to the site. 

• Detailed information on the species and arrangement of plant materials to be planted on the site.

Include the criteria for successful establishment of vegetation such as minimum percent ground and

canopy cover, percent survival, or stand density. 

• Site monumentation requirements. 

• Active or passive treatment features such as dosing, Successive Alkalinity Producing System ,

Open Limestone Channel (OLC), and Anoxic Limestone Drain (ALD). 

• Permanent features to be constructed on site such as fences, diversions, etc. 

• Construction specifications. 

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• Safety requirements for construction. 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 

Prepare an operation and maintenance plan for the site and review with the landowner prior to

construction. At a minimum, include— 

• Periodically check the site for areas where settlement may adversely affect drainage and land use.

Perform needed repairs promptly. 

• Periodically check the site for bare spots, eroded areas, areas of excessive settlement, and other

areas where initial attempts to establish vegetation were not successful. Use soil testing to identify

soil amendments needed to facilitate revegetation. 

• Periodic soil testing and checking of vegetation to determine if additional soil amendments are

needed. 

• Periodically check the site for noxious weeds and invasive species. Treat, as appropriate. 

• Inspection of passive treatments for clogging and damage. 

• Operation requirements for active treatments. 

• Maintenance of access roads. 

• Maintenance of drainage structures and channels. 

• Control of vehicular traffic to minimize disturbance to reclaimed areas. 

• Periodically check structural measures and fencing. Repair or replace, as needed. 

• Regular checking and maintenance of water treatment facilities, if applicable. 

REFERENCES 

USDA NRCS. 1983 (rev. July 2010). Landscape Architecture Note 1 (Title 210). Landscape Design in

Mined Land Reclamation. Washington, D.C. https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/. 

Fripp, J., P.F. Ziemkiewicz, and H. Charkavorki. 1999. Acid Mine Drainage Treatment – An Overview, TN

SR-99. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 

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