AmeReclaim

Coal Mine Land Reforestation
	AmeReclaim - Reclaiming America's Forest on Mined Lands

	OSM is charged by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act to ensure that coal mines are operated in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, that the land is restored to beneficial use following mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.

	DOE is charged with solving national energy and environ-mental problems and with providing for a cleaner, more energy-secure Nation. DOE has responsibility for the Climate Challenge Program, a voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas reductions, under Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

	Contacts For additional information on AmeReclaim or copies of the MOU contact: Sarah Donnelly, OSM E-mail: sdonnell@osmre.gov Leslie Stream, OSM E-mail: lstream@osmre.gov Bob Kane E-mail: Robert.Kane@HQ.DOE.GOV John Husted, National Association of Abandoned Mined Land Program E-mail: John.Husted@dnr.state.oh.us

OBJECTIVE

Reforestation of Abandoned Mine Lands

AMERECLAIM is a market-based initiative sponsored by the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) to encourage reforestation on lands scarred by past mining.

On September 6, 2000, the United States Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining and the United States Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing both agencies to pursue reforestation and carbon sequestration on AML lands.

Problems and Solutions

Problem

Mined land, in its unreclaimed condition, substantially degrades the quality of the environment, prevents or damages the beneficial use of land and water resources, and may endanger the health and safety of the public. Greenhouse gasses, emitted through power generation, degrade air quality.

Solution

The AMERECLAIM initiative will encourage partnerships between State and Tribal, AML programs, State and Federal environmental agencies, utility and mining companies, watershed associations and other environmental organizations as well as individuals and private companies to reforest lands.

Benefits of Reforestation

Environmental

$ Carbon sequestration
$ Clean water restored
$ Greenhouse effects reduced
$ Air quality improved
$ Wildlife habitats established
$ Soil erosion prevented
$ Ecologically diverse and balanced ecosystem promoted

Economic

$ Opportunity to measure and report carbon reduction

$ Devalued land restored into economically productive
eco-systems

$ Productivity of lands enhanced

$ Employment opportunities for local communities

$ Partnerships reduce government spending

$ Commercial forests managed for conservation

$ Amount of reclaimed lands increased

$ Aesthetic and recreational opportunities widened

$ Tourism potential enhanced

$ Exchange of technical expertise

Who Would Be Interested

$ Communities affected by past mining
$ Watershed groups
$ Utility companies
$ Mining industry
$ Fish and wildlife conservation groups
$ State and Tribal AML associations
$ State, Tribal and Federal environmental organizations
$ Automobile and other manufacturers