Not-for-Profit AMD Reclamation (15.253)

Program

15.253 Not-for-Profit AMD Reclamation

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of the Interior
Office: Office of Surface Mining

Authorization

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Public Law 95-87, 91 Stat. 445-532.

Program Number

15.253

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To fund local organizations and not-for-profit groups that undertake local acid mine drainage (AMD) reclamation projects.

Types of Assistance

Cooperative Agreements

Uses and Use Restrictions

To assist local organizations, especially watershed groups, to begin actual construction projects to clean 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, wastebanks, coal processing, or other coal mining processes, except as provided for under Section 411 of Public Law 95-87, prior to August 3, 1977, and for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under State or other Federal laws. 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. Surface coal mining operations on lands eligible for remining shall not affect the eligibility of such lands for reclamation and restoration under this title after the release of the bond or deposit for any such operation as provided under Section 509. In the event the bond or deposit for a surface coal mining operation on lands eligible for remining is forfeited, funds available under this title may be used if the amount of such bond or deposit is not sufficient to provide for adequate reclamation or abatement, except that if conditions warrant, the secretary shall immediately exercise his authority under Section 410.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Primary recipients must be not-for-profit, established organizations. Federal, State, local governments, colleges, and universities are not eligible to receive funding directly.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Communities impacted by streams polluted by acid mine drainage will benefit from this program.

Credentials/Documentation

Proof of not-for-profit IRS 501(c)(3)status is required of nonprofit organizations and institutions. A State certification of project eligibility is required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. The standard application SF-424 and forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations," must be used for this program. Please contact the appropriate Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) Regional/Field Office for details listed in the Catalog Address Appendix IV.

Award Procedure

Approval is made by OSM Director or designee.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 60 to 90 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. Partners are encouraged to make monetary contributions or provide in-kind services.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The cooperative agreements have a performance period of 2 years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Information not available.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Programmatic reports are required quarterly. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Federal Financial Report, SF 325 is required quarterly. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Records will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F," Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations".

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Restore polluted streams affected by acid mine drainage to a safe level for drinking and recreational activities. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-5015-0-1-302.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $1,361,837; FY 09 est $1,000,000; FY 10 est $1,400,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range is $17,000 to $100,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Section 404, Public Law 95-87.

Related Programs

15.252 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AMLR) Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. See Catalog Appendix IV.

Headquarters Office

Chief Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20240 Phone: (202)208-2788 Fax: (202)219-0239

Web Site Address

http://www.osmre.gov .

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: In 2008, The Evergreen Conservancy, in conjunction with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Indiana County Conservation District, and the Office of Surface Mining, constructed the Bear Run Phase I passive treatment system to remove dissolve iron from an abandoned underground mine discharge with an average flow of 239 gpm. Construction of this project removes about 33 percent of the iron loading entering Bear Run from multiple discharges. Upper reaches of Bear Run have excellent populations of Brook Trout, and the goal is to re-establish a native Brook Trout population throughout the 19 square mile watershed. Restoration of the severely impacted South Branch of Bear Run is an eight phase project being accomplished through a comprehensive plan. Phase's I and III are completed and Phase II is under construction. Phase I was funded by a $100,000 grant from Pennsylvania's Growing Greener Program and $30,000 from OSM's Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Section 404 of Public Law 95-87, State certification of eligibility is required. No opposition to the project from the State Abandoned Mine Land (AML) agency. All applicable Federal and State clearances and permits must be secured. The project should propose to use proven or innovative technology that has a high probability of success and produce tangible results, e.g., fishery restored, stream miles improved, educational and community benefits, pollutants removed from the streams. Funds must be used for the construction phase of a project and there must be demonstrated public support for the project. Also, there must be a plan to address any ongoing operation/maintenance considerations.