OSMRE presents Montana with the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award for the Western States and Tribes Region

WASHINGTON - The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or OSMRE, has awarded the 2026 Western States and Tribes Regional Abandoned Mine Land, or AML, Reclamation Award to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Superfund, AML, and Construction Bureau, for exemplary work in Cascade County. The award was presented to Montana by OSMRE Deputy Director Tom Shope during the National Association of AML Programs conference in Park City, Utah, on Sept. 21st.

"The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards highlight outstanding examples of how reclamation can transform the legacy of historic coal mining into lasting benefits for communities and the environment," said Shope. "These award-winning projects reflect the dedication and innovation of our State and Tribal partners as they work to address health and safety hazards, restore damaged lands and waterways, and help strengthen communities impacted by historic coal mining."

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality's Belt Water Treatment Plant near Belt, Montana, marks a significant milestone in the restoration of abandoned mine land and the protection of local water resources. Constructed on a former coal mining site at a cost of approximately $13 million, the facility began operations on November 21, 2025, following years of planning, site assessment, and federal approval. For more than a century, abandoned mine workings and several adits discharged acid mine drainage into Belt Creek, adversely affecting aquatic life and water quality as the creek flows through the community of Belt. The new treatment plant captures and processes contaminated mine water, currently treating approximately 150 gallons per minute. The project will help restore the health of Belt Creek, improve water quality for the surrounding community, and provide a sustainable, long-term solution for managing pollution from historic mining activities.

"Montana DEQ's AML program is honored to receive the 2026 OSMRE Western States and Tribes Reclamation Award for the Belt Water Treatment plant project. This project is such an important one for the town of Belt. We are all so proud to see not only the improvement in water quality but also the positive impacts the project's success has had within community." said Jorri Dyer, Montana DEQ AML and Construction Section Supervisor.

The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards, established in 1992, recognize exemplary state and Tribal reclamation projects that reclaim coal mine sites abandoned prior to the signing of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

Montana is one of five recipients of the 2026 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards recognizing reclamation excellence. The national award is presented to the State or Tribe with the highest scoring overall reclamation project. The small project award is presented to the State or Tribe that receives less than $6 million annually in AML fee-based funding that has the highest scoring project costing less than $1 million. Regional awards are presented to the State or Tribe with the highest scoring project within each of the following regions: Appalachian States, Interior States, and Western States and Tribes.

Other Award-Winning Reclamation Programs

National Award
Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program, Thaynes and Silver King Shaft Safeguard and Stabilization Project; Park City, Summit County, Utah

Small Project Award
Railroad Commission of Texas - Surface Mining & Reclamation Division; Wise Richey Emergency AML Project; Bridgeport, TX

Regional Awards

Appalachian States Award
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation; Forest City East - Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Access Project; Susquehanna and Wayne Counties

Interior States Award
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Mines and Minerals Bureau, BOS AML Reclamation Project (IA-172); Wapello County, Iowa

To learn about these award-winning projects, visit AML Reclamation Awards.