4.5: Abandoned Mines
ELIMINATE PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR ABANDONED MINES. Other Information:
The Abandoned Mine Land program at the Department of the Interior operates a fund for the reclamation of abandoned coal mines
across the United States. The program is financed by a fee paid by the coal industry. In 2006, Congress authorized payments
from the Abandoned Mine Land fund to states and tribes certified as having completed the reclamation of their abandoned coal
mines – though payments can be used for any purpose. The Commission recommends eliminating these payments because they no
longer serve their stated purpose -- contributing to reclaiming abandoned coal mines. Instead, they are paid to states and
tribes whose mines have already been reclaimed.
Indicator(s):
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