Project Profile: Strategic Abandoned Mineral Land Project Management, Technical Support, Inventory, Assessment, and Database Development

Staff at work, backfilling an AML site by hand in Saguaro National Park.

NPS / Adam Springer

Inflation Reduction Act
Restoration | FY23-31: $2,700,000

The National Park Service (NPS) restores abandoned mineral lands (AML) associated with past mineral exploration, extraction, processing, and transportation across the nation's parks. The objective of this project is to mitigate the hazards posed by AML features, thereby safeguarding the well-being of our parks and their visitors.

Why? AML sites in National Park Units can create significant hazards and environmental challenges, which threaten both natural resources and public safety. To ensure the protection and preservation of parks, a strategic program and innovative approaches are essential. By updating the AML database and providing comprehensive support for AML projects, the NPS is taking proactive measures to mitigate hazards, restore ecological balance, and create a safer park environment.

What Else? By addressing AML sites, this initiative enhances the overall park experience while upholding the mission of resource protection. Mitigating 50 hazardous AML features per year will improve park safety and ecological health. Moreover, this project aligns with the NPS's mission to preserve and protecting America's cherished landscapes, making it a significant step toward long-term park stewardship.

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 our nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.