Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program

Overview

The WVDEP’s Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation (AML) administers federal funding for economic development projects on abandoned mine lands through its AMLER Program. This program helps projects located on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) on Aug. 3, 1977.

All projects must receive final approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSMRE).

An advisory committee comprised of representatives from the WVDEP, state Departments of Commerce, Tourism, and Transportation, and the Governor's Office, is responsible for determining project eligibility and advancing recommended projects to OSMRE.

Since 2016, the AMLER Program has committed $211 million in grant funding to assist projects all across the West Virginia coalfields.

The 2024 application period is now closed. Please check back in Spring 2025 for next year's application.


Guidance

Application Tips and Guidelines

  • Please utilize the space provided in the application, and not state “see attachments” for every response. There is adequate space for summaries within the application form. This makes the review process more efficient, as it places key information where we need it.

  • Identify an AML Problem Area (PAD) which is on, or immediately adjacent to, your proposed project area.

  • Provide a clear, concise project description, and detailed budget.

  • Please keep the application package to a reasonable size. It’s good to have support documentation, detailed reports, etc., but those can be requested later if needed. For the initial application, we only need a description of the project scope, a map of the project area, budget detailing grant expenditures (list any additional funding sources), and how it will provide an economic boost to the community. Please feel free to include attachments to your application, but don’t feel that a 200 page application is necessary.

  • Send completed application by May 31, 2024 to:

    WVDEP AMLER Program
    601 57th Street SE
    Charleston, WV 25304

    You can also email your completed application to DEPAMLER@wv.gov. Email is preferable, and please keep the application under 10 MB.

Program Documents


WV AMLER Projects

Use this interactive mapping tool to view AMLER projects

 
 
 

Additional Information

Related Links

  • National AML Inventory (e-AMLIS)

    e-AMLIS is a national inventory that provides information about known abandoned mine land (AML) features including polluted waters. The majority of the data in e-AMLIS provides information about known coal AML features for the 25 states and 3 tribal SMCRA-approved AML Programs. e-AMLIS also provides limited information on non-coal AML features, and, non-coal reclamation projects as well as AML features for states and tribes that do not have an approved AML Program.

  • Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) – AMLER Program

    The U.S. Congress has appropriated funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program (also 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.

  • WVDEP Mine Data Explorer

    WVDEP Mining Mapping Applications: View, search, and identify mining data from WVDEP DMR, AML, and WVGES. Compare results from two trendstations for a selected sample parameter. Compare results for two parameters for a single trendstation, and display 24 hour precipitation totals for a single date.

  • WV AML Inventory Map

    Interactive overview map for exploring post-mining development potential.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact:

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Abandonded Mine Lands and Economic Revitalization
Office of Abandonded Mine Lands and Reclamation
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499
Email: DEPAMLER@wv.gov

​​