Documents

10% Set Aside

The 10 percent set-aside established under section 402(g)(6)(A) of SMCRA.

411(f)

Construction of public facilities authorized under Sect. 411(f) of SMCRA by certified States and Tribes.

Abandoned Mine Land Inventory

A national system for recording health, safety, general welfare, 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, Tribal, and OSM 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 AMLIS computerized database.

Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (AMLIS)

A computerized database containing the AML Inventory information. The information is developed and entered by the State and Indian Tribes managing their own AML programs and by OSM for non-program States and Indian Tribes. AMLIS can query the database and then create reports, maps, or down load the data.

Acid Mine Drainage Plans

Any State may establish under State law an acid mine drainage abatement and treatment fund from which amounts (together with all interest earned on such amounts) are expended by the State to implement acid mine drainage abatement and treatment plans. Plans for each qualified Hydrologic unit must contain the following information: an identification of the qualified Hydrologic unit; an evaluation of the extent to which acid mine drainage is affecting the water quality and biological resources; an identification of the sources of acid mine drainage; an identification of individual projects and measures proposed to be undertaken to abate and treat the causes or effects of acid mine drainage and their cost; identification of existing and proposed sources of funding for such measures; and an analysis of the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of abatement and treatment measures.

AMLIS Key

A unique identifier for each PAD. It is a combination of the Problem Area number and the program. For example: VA002234SGA. The Problem Area number is the State/Indian Tribe code and a unique 6-digit number assigned by the State or Indian tribe.

Approved Reclamation Plan

A plan submitted and approved under part 884 of 30 CFR.

Associated Priority 3 Coal

A priority 3 problem that can be reclaimed with some additional expense while reclaiming priority 1 and 2 problems.

Authorization to Proceed

A formal notification from OSM that a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review is complete and the State/ Tribe may proceed with project construction.

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. The Secretary, after notice in the Federal Register and opportunity for public comment, shall concur with such certification if the Secretary determines that such certification is correct.

Completed

An AML reclamation project is considered completed for purposes of the AML Inventory after the final construction inspection is performed.

Congressional District

The congressional district in which the Problem Area is located.

County

The county in which the Problem Area is located.

Dataset

Datasets include current data, a test/practice data set that can be used by someone having "write" privileges to "practice" entering or modifying data, and historic data sets created at the end of each quarter starting in September 1993.

Date Entered

The date the PAD was submitted to the AML Inventory.

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 pre-certification non-coal related problems.

Emergency

A sudden danger or impairment that presents a high probability of substantial physical harm to the health, safety, or general welfare of people before the danger can be abated under normal program operation procedures.

Federal Assistance Manual

Official repository of policies and procedures for the management and administration of OSM's financial assistance programs.

Federal Information Processing Standards

Under the Information Technology Management Reform Act (Public Law 104-106), the Secretary of Commerce approves standards and guidelines that are developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for Federal computer systems. These standards and guidelines are issued by NIST as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) for use government-wide.

Federal Reclamation Program

An OSM program that conducts emergency and high priority reclamation in States/Tribes not having their own emergency or AML programs.

Form OSM-76

A paper or electronic form describing AML problems.

Funded

An AML reclamation project is considered funded for purposes of the AML Inventory when OSM approves an Authorization to Proceed or a construction contract has been signed.

Funding Source

A special fund created on the books of the Treasury of the United States and administered by OSM.

GPRA

OSM is required under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993 to report measurable goals to Congress. One of OSM's key measures under GPRA is the number of abandoned mine land acres reclaimed as reported in the AMLIS. Units not reported as acres are converted to acres when reporting GPRA acres.

Historical Coal Distribution

A formula based on the amount of coal historically produced in the State or from the Tribal 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.

Interim Permit Site

Lands and water 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 the date on which the Secretary approved a State regulatory program for a State or September 28, 1994, for a Tribe; where funds for reclamation or abatement that are available pursuant to a bond or other form of financial guarantee or from any other source are not sufficient to provide for adequate reclamation or abatement at the site.

Keyword

An AML Akeyword@ is a defined category of AML problem type (i.e. DH = dangerous highwall). See AML Problem

Keyword Feature

A Akeyword feature@ is a specific on-the-ground feature that meets the definition of one of the AML Keywords. Within a problem area there may be many occurrences of a keyword. For example, a problem area may contain seven different portals or three different segments of dangerous highwall, each of different length and/or priority. See AML Problem.

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.

Mining Type

The type of mining (Surface, Underground, Surface & Underground, or Processing) of the Problem Area.

Non-program States and Tribes

States/Tribes having eligible AML problems but no AML program.

OMB Circular A-102

Provides Administrative requirements for AGrants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments.@ Issued 10/7/94.

Ore Types

The ore types contained in this Problem Area.

OSM 76 Form

A paper or electronic form describing AML problems.

Planning Unit

Subdivision(s) of Water Cataloging Units (WCU) established by the Water Resources Council.

Pre-SMCRA

Prior to the enactment of SMCRA on August 3, 1977.

Priority

The AML Inventory system is based upon the priorities established by Congress in Section 403 of SMCRA. In general, the priorities are defined in terms of their potential impacts on public health, safety, general welfare, and to the environment. Detailed Priority definitions.

Priority

The priority code given to a Problem Area.

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, general welfare, 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.

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, safety and general welfare from adverse effects of mining practices or a condition that is threatening people but is not an extreme danger.

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 adverse effects of mining practices or a condition that is causing degradation of soil, water, woodland, fish, wildlife, recreational resources, or agricultural productivity.

Priority 4

Funding under section 403(a)(4) and 411(e) for 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 411(c).

Priority 5

Funding under section 403(a)(5) 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 Documentation Forms

Forms providing guidance on establishing priorities for certain AML keywords. Previously called Supplemental Forms.

Priority F

A pseudo priority created to allow work completed under Sect. 411(f) of SMCRA to be entered into the AML Inventory. There is no priority actually associated with these projects.

Problem Area

A subdivision(s) of a planning unit, containing one or more keyword(s) together with immediately adjacent impacted land and water.

Problem Area Description

A paper or electronic form describing AML problems.

Problem Area Description (PAD) (Form OSM-76)

A paper or electronic form describing AML problems.

Problem Type

Specifically defined AML problem types used to record AML problems in the AML Inventory. Definitions: Priority 1 & 2 problems, and Priority 3 problems

Program

Used to distinguish the different sources of funding for AML reclamation, most of which are different programs such as Pre-SMCRA Coal or RAMP. Definitions

Program State/Tribe

State/Tribes having an OSM approved AML Program.

Quadrangle

The quadrangle in which the Problem Area is located.

Reclamation Plan

A plan submitted and approved under part 884 of 30 CFR.

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. The old Priority 5 projects have been reclassified as Priority 4 projects and the old Priority 6 projects as Priority 5 projects.

Rural Abandoned Mine Program (RAMP)

A program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is primarily aimed at addressing problems posed by eligible AML problems in rural areas.

Surface Owners

The percentage of owernship between the entities that own the land in which the Problem Area is located.

Unfunded

For purposes of the AML Inventory, an unfunded problem is one for which OSM has yet to approve an Authorization to Proceed or a contract for a construction project to reclaim the problem has not been signed.

Watershed

The watershed in which the Problem Area is located.

e-AMLIS PROGRAM DOCUMENTS