Project Profile: Mitigation of high priority AML features in Mojave National Preserve

Mescal Historic Mining District at Mojave National Preserve

NPS

Inflation Reduction Act
Restoration | FY24-25 $1,006,000

The National Park Service will enhance visitor and wildlife safety by addressing physical hazards at high priority Abandoned Mine Land (AML) sites within Mojave National Preserve. These sites pose significant safety risks to visitors and wildlife due to their accessibility, presence of hazardous materials, and potentially dangerous open shafts.

Why? Mojave National Preserve is home to numerous AML sites, with over 18,900 abandoned mining claims and thousands of mine shafts and excavations. Despite their historical importance, many of these sites have deteriorated over time, presenting safety hazards to visitors and wildlife. The increasing visitation to Mojave underscores the need to mitigate these hazards. The complexity of addressing safety concerns at each unique site has been an ongoing challenge for land management agencies.

What Else? The project will mitigate safety hazards at selected AML sites by installing standard mine closures to prevent human access while still allowing wildlife, such as bats and birds, to utilize the features as habitat. Efforts will minimize adverse effects on these AML landscapes and preserve the visual character of the cultural landscape.

About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of out nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.