Not-for-Profit AMD Reclamation
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
“Pathfinders RC&D looks forward to working with OSMRE to continue to improve Iowa’s water quality by removing the health and safety hazards often associated with abandoned mine lands,” said Ashley Utt, Pathfinders RC&D executive director. “Approximately 1700 acres across south central Iowa have been reclaimed through the partnership between Pathfinders,
OSMRE, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the County Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Iowa.”
The following watershed projects will each receive $100,000 from this round of WCAP grants for abating hazardous abandoned mine features and then clearing, re-grading, and re-vegetating the site: Woodruff North (120 acres), VAN EE (80 acres), and Johnson (10 acres), all near Bussey in Marion County; and Barnett (16 acres) near Knoxville in Marion County.
About the WCAP Program
WCAP grants are typically around $100,000 per project to complete local acid mine drainage reclamation projects. Projects can include installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. AMD projects are selected through a merit review process. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation.
Program Objective
The Not-for-Profit, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Reclamation - Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) seeks applications from eligible applicants to restore streams affected by AMD to a level that will support a diverse biological community and provide recreational opportunities for the community.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Quasi-public nonprofits
Recipients must be not-for-profit IRS 501(c)(3) status organizations. Federal, state, local governments, colleges, and universities are not eligible to receive direct funding.
Beneficiaries
- 16
Communities impacted by streams polluted by AMD will benefit from this program.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Applications must be submitted through grants.gov in response to a NOFO. Application will be reviewed as received on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether they are eligible, complete, and responsive and aligned with the respective program objectives and research grant areas as described in the Program Description.
• Applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive based on the initial screening will be eliminated from further review.
• Applications that are determined to be eligible, complete, and responsive will proceed for full merit reviews in accordance with the review and selection processes set forth below for each of the respective programs.
• At least three objective reviewers, knowledgeable in the subject matter of this NOFO and its objectives, will evaluate each application based on the evaluation criteria
• Each reviewer will assign individual scores to each criterion for each application.
• The scores provided by each reviewer for each application will then be combined to form a composite score for each application, which serves as the basis for the relative ordering or ranking of applications.
• OSMRE may select some, all, or none of the applications, or part(s) of any particular application.
• The OSMRE Field Directors or his/her designee approves and awards cooperative agreements for this program.
Please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on Grants.gov, for the application submission deadline.
Applications will be considered on a continuing/rolling bases until the closing date identified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on grants.gov.
Applications will be accepted up to 60 day from the time a Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on grants.gov. Applications will be considered on a continuing/rolling bases until the announcement closing date.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Statutory Authority for the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program is the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), as amended,
Public Law 95-87, 91 Stat. 445-532.
In accordance with Section 404 of SMCRA, lands and water eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement under Section 404 of Public Law 95-87 (the Act), Stat. 445-532 as amended, are those which were mined for coal or which were affected by mining, waste banks, coal processing, or other coal mining processes prior to August 3, 1977, and left in an unclaimed or inadequately reclaimed condition, for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under state or other Federal laws.
WCAP is designed to be partnered with other funding sources to assist groups such as small watershed organizations to complete local AMD reclamation projects.
Funding is available to assist local 501(c)(3) status organizations and groups that undertake local AMD reclamation projects to improve the water quality of streams impacted by acid mine drainage.
The funding priorities and technical focus for this announcement are to restore streams affected by AMD to a level that will support a diverse biological community and provide recreational opportunities for the public.
Non-Federal entities may use WCAP funds only for AMD problems related to SMCRA defined abandoned coal mining activities and processes, which include remediation of AMD, sources of AMD, and installation of passive or active water treatment systems, including repairs and renovations. Projects may also include reclamation of lands that are contributing sediment or acid forming materials to streams. For other provisions relating to lands and waters eligible for such expenditures, see Section 402(g) (4), Section 403(b) (1), and Section 409 of Public Law 95-87.
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funding is available to assist local organizations, especially watershed groups, to improve the water quality of streams impacted by AMD. Lands and water eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures under Section 404 of Public Law 95-87 are those which were mined for coal or which were affected by such mining, waste banks, coal processing, or other coal mining processes, and for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under state or other Federal laws.
Required Documentation
Proof of not-for-profit IRS 501(c)(3) organization status and state certification of project eligibility are required.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements