Environmental Quality and Protection

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and its cooperative government and nongovernmental conservation partners, mitigate hazards to protect public health and safety, restore watersheds for resources, recreation, fish, wildlife and domestic animals, and return lands to productive uses including, but not limited to, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and preservation of historical/cultural resources. Extractive industry and disposal activities of the past, including both underground and surface mining, have left degraded watersheds on public lands throughout the western United States. Un-reclaimed sites pose an environmental threat to groundwater, surface water and soil as well as create a risk to the health and safety of public land users. Mitigation measures are implemented through core programs such as: 1). Abandoned Mine
Lands (AML) program, which addresses physical safety hazards and water quality through restoration of abandoned hard rock mines. and 2). Educational
outreach about the potential dangers posed to the public and recreationists from AML sites. The AML Program will contribute to the conservation and restoration of approximately 30% of our lands and waters by the year 2030. Additionally, this will help ensure that public land users are not at risk from the dangers of legacy mining activities.

A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and a written proposal, budget spreadsheet, a budget narrative/breakdown, and any other requirements specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Notice and must be submitted through www.grants.gov.

State plan is not required for this application.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. State and District Office level and funding recommendations are made through the State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director.

Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes. Further information will be available for each project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement.