OSMRE presents Iowa with the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award for the Interior States Region

WASHINGTON - The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or OSMRE, has awarded the 2026 Interior States Region Abandoned Mine Land, or AML, Reclamation Award to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Mines and Minerals Bureau. Iowa is honored for its exemplary AML reclamation work on the BOS AML Reclamation Project in Wapello County. The award was presented to Iowa 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 honor the best examples of AML reclamation in our nation," said Shope. "Our State and Tribal partners are doing important work to address legacy mining hazards, protect public health and safety, and strengthen communities. These projects demonstrate how responsible reclamation can improve quality of life, support local economies and help ensure America's public lands and natural resources continue to contribute to the nation's energy dominance and prosperity."

The BOS Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Project, located approximately five miles west of Ottumwa in Wapello County, Iowa, restored 34.6 acres of land affected by mining before the enactment of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Completed between October 2024 and May 2026, the $846,389 project eliminated significant public safety and environmental hazards, including 13 acres of dangerous piles and embankments, 1,783 lineal feet of hazardous highwall, two hazardous water bodies and an elevated strip pit. The project also treated nearly 5 million gallons of acidic impounded water contained in the hazardous waterbodies. Innovative engineering and construction approaches, including advanced bathymetric surveying and chemical treatment methods, helped the project team address complex site conditions. Through collaboration among the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Pathfinders RC&D and local landowners, the project improved water quality in Bear Creek and restored the land to productive agricultural use.

"This award is well-deserved recognition for our talented team at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the partners who make these projects possible," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. "Abandoned mine reclamation is a great example of how we can improve water quality and soil health while taking land that was once hazardous and returning it to productive and beneficial use. Our Mines and Minerals team does outstanding work, and we appreciate our strong partnership with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, landowners and local partners as we continue making progress on abandoned mine sites in Iowa."

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.

Iowa 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

Western States and Tribes Award
Montana Department of Environmental Quality - Superfund, AML and Construction Bureau; Belt Water Treatment Plant; Belt, Montana

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