
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
Highlights of BIL funded AML Projects
- Locations: Valles Caldera National Preserve
- Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
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
- Locations: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
- Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
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
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.
- Padre Island National Seashore
Project Profile: Remove and Restore One Well Pad at Padre Island National Seashore
- Locations: Padre Island National Seashore
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.
- Padre Island National Seashore
Project Profile: Restore South Spirit Oil and Gas Site
- Locations: Padre Island National Seashore
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
- Big Thicket National Preserve
Project Profile: Orphaned Wells at Big Thicket National Preserve
- Locations: Big Thicket National Preserve
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
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
NPS AML Projects in the News
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New York Times, 2/23/2023
Pay and Plug: Federal Funds Spur Cleanup of Lost Oil Wells -
E&E News (Associated Press), 03/17/2023
Louisiana, U.S. officials plug 'orphan wells' spending
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Last updated: January 30, 2025