AML Projects Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.