AML Projects Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

[Site Under Development]
abandoned well equipment.
Abandoned storage tanks in Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas.

NPS Photo by Benjamin Nathan.

Introduction

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a $1 trillion investment in America’s infrastructure that will rebuild America’s roads and bridges and tackle the climate crisis. The law includes $21 billion for legacy pollution clean-up for Superfund and brownfield sites, and reclaimation of abandoned mineral lands (AML).Through this portion of the BIL, the National Park Service AML program has received funding to reclaim abandoned mines and plug orphaned oil and gas wells.

Resource specialists in the NPS Geologic Resources Division, NPS Regional Offices, and affected Park Units are working together to prioritize AML sites for mitigation and reclamation. On the ground AML clean-up helps to protect visitors from legacy hazards and restore healthy ecosystem function in our National Parks.

Featured Article

Showing results 1-1 of 1
    • Sites: Energy and Minerals Branch, Geologic Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    Two NPS workers in orange vests standing near an orphaned well in a forest.

    There are millions of acres of pristine wilderness in the National Park System but also places where man’s footprint is industrial. Those scarred landscapes are in for some TLC in the form of restoration projects funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

Highlights of BIL funded AML Projects

Showing results 1-10 of 10

    • Locations: Valles Caldera National Preserve
    • Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    Entrance signs at Valles Caldera Preserve

    In 2019, the National Park Service purchased Sulphur Springs, adding 40 acres to Valles Caldera National Preserve. Sulphur Springs is currently open to hikers and cross-country skiers for visitation, but the site still retains the structure of an abandoned mine from the early 20th century. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds allocated to an ecosystem restoration project will change that, returning the site to its pre-disturbed landscape.

    • Offices: Energy and Minerals Branch, Geologic Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    Two NPS workers in orange vests standing near an orphaned well in a forest.

    There are millions of acres of pristine wilderness in the National Park System but also places where man’s footprint is industrial. Those scarred landscapes are in for some TLC in the form of restoration projects funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

    • Locations: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
    • Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    Workers are prepping equipment used to cut and loosen wellbore pipe

    In many national parks, oil and gas technicians are discovering thousands of abandoned and orphaned wells from early exploration. Crews at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve have already reclaimed two of nine well sites at the Barataria Preserve, the first such projects to use funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

    • Locations: Saguaro National Park
    • Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    NPS Crew of four men with tools standing at a former mine site.

    Native wildlife in Saguaro National Park are being entrapped in abandoned mines scattered throughout the vast wilderness of the Saguaro Forest. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), park staff working with the Forest Service will soon close 15 mines to improve safety conditions for wildlife and park visitors and to restore the park landscape.

    • Locations: Padre Island National Seashore
    a rectangular bare patch of ground with rusted equipment

    The National Park Service will remove orphaned oil and gas infrastructure from the Lemon Pad oil and gas site at Padre Island National Seashore. The project will address public safety concerns and benefit threatened and endangered species, including the Northern Aplomado falcon. Site restoration will include restoring wetland and wind-tidal habitat and improving of the overall health of the surrounding landscape.

    • Locations: Padre Island National Seashore
    an oil and gas site with equipment and machinery

    The National Park Service will remove orphaned oil and gas infrastructure from the South Spirit oil and gas site at Padre Island National Seashore. The project will address public safety concerns and benefit threatened and endangered species, including the Northern Aplomado falcon. Site restoration will include restoring wetland and wind-tidal habitat and improving the overall health of the surrounding landscape.

    • Locations: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
    • Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    A lake with residual oil wells poking out of the water, with a forest in the distance.

    The National Park Service will reclaim 10 well sites at the Barataria Preserve, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, by removing surface equipment and debris that remains after the plugging and abandonment of the wells prior to the park’s establishment.

    • Locations: Big Thicket National Preserve
    One orphaned well to be plugged amidst a forested landscape and road.

    The National Park Service (NPS) has received funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to plug orphaned wells and reclaim derelict oilfield equipment and sites in Big Thicket National Preserve. The two wells to be plugged have been declared orphaned by the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC). This project will fund the plugging of wells, removal of oilfield debris, including flowlines, and reclamation of well sites and access roads.

  • Joshua Tree National Park

    Closing Abandoned Mines

    • Locations: Joshua Tree National Park
    Park Rangers look into an open mine shaft

    The legacy of mining is readily visible today. Within the boundaries of what is now a national park are about 300 abandoned mining sites with more than 720 mine openings. Visitors are often intrigued by the idea of exploring old mines, but abandoned mine workings pose a serious resource management challenge for the park.

    • Locations: Joshua Tree National Park
    • Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    a man in national park service uniform gives a tour of a mine closure

    Joshua Tree National Park was awarded funds in 2022 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for multiple projects that address visitor safety and ecosystem restoration. The initial project will close five abandoned gold mines by the spring of 2023.

NPS AML Projects in the News

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Last updated: January 30, 2025

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