The AML\UMTRA Department
The Navajo Nation geographical area extends over 26,000 square miles, occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. The environmental conditions vary from the dry lowlands of Cameron, Arizona to the mountainous, rough, and wet lands of the Chuska Mountain range. Mining legacy dates back to the late 1800’s for coal and the early 1900’s for minerals like uranium, vanadium, copper, and sand & gravel.
Navajo AML (NAML) was established in 1988 with the approval of the Navajo Reclamation Plan and Code by the Secretary of the Interior and The Navajo Nation. The purpose of the Program is to fulfill the requirements of Public Law 95-87, “Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977, which addresses abandoned mine lands reclamation. With the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), NAML has the authority to address abandoned mine land problems that include coal and non-coal (uranium, copper etc.) mines.
Interactive Web Map
The map below shows the Navajo Nation and Chapter boundaries (brown lines) and the location of the Navajo Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Department (NAMLRD) project activities. Yellow squares show UMTRA project locations, green dots show abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation projects, and purple squares show Public Facility Projects (PFP). Click on the map to start an interactive map viewer. For information about how to use the interactive web map CLICK HERE.
About Us
In 1989, Navajo AML conducted an on-the-ground survey of abandoned mine lands and inventoried 273 coal, 33 copper and over 1000 non-coal abandoned mines. Since then, NAML has successfully reclaimed all the inventoried coal sites and received coal certification in 1994. In addition, other non-coal sites were addressed, a total of 913 uranium and 33 copper mines were reclaimed. The abandoned mines include both surface mines such as open pit, rimstrips, trenches, and underground mines with features like portals/adits, incline and vertical shafts. In the reclamation of uranium sites, the Health Physics personnel monitors radiation exposure for safety and environmental controls during the reclamation activities.
In 1988, the Navajo Nation Council approved the Navajo Reclamation Plan and Code in compliance with Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMRCRA) to establish the Navajo AML Reclamation Department under the Division of Natural Resources. The department implements, administers and conducts reclamation of abandoned mine lands (AML) on the Navajo Nation.
The goal of Navajo AML is to reclaim AML problem areas in a safe and cost-effective manner, which is being successfully achieved through dedication and commitment of the Navajo AML staff. Our strategic values include quality reclamation work pursuant to SMCRA and our reclamation plans, while managing cost and schedules. With this significant accomplishment, Navajo AML begun planning to implement public facility projects to stimulate economic development for communities impacted by past and current mining activities.
As of 2002, NAMLRP has expanded its services by implementing a “Public Facility Projects” (PFP) to assist Navajo communities/chapters with funding for renovation/construction of community public facilities/utilities through competitive grants.
Objectives:
- To manage reclamation of abandoned coal and non-coal mines for the protection of public health, safety, general welfare, and property from extreme danger and other adverse effects from past coal and non-coal mining practices; and
- To conduct repairs, renovations and construction of public Infrastructure such as senior citizens centers, chapter buildings, utilities, roads, recreation facilities in communities adversely affected by coal and non-coal mining practices.
Mission Statement
Our Values: Proactive, Results Oriented, Customer Service, Innovation, Continuous Improvements, Fair & Honesty
The mission of Navajo AML / UMTRA Department is to "protect, restore, enhance and reclaim abandoned mines, develop infrastructure and facilities through AML Public Facility Projects, ensure the long-term stability of all UMTRA sites, and provide adequate public relations for the benefit of the Navajo people and the environment."
In support of this, Navajo AML / UMTRA commits to:
- Promote partnership with local Navajo Nation, State, and Federal entities to strengthen environmental restoration techniques and infrastructure development;
- Utilize technology to become more efficient and effective;
- Provide quality customer services through accountability, honesty, fairness while being results oriented;
- Promote staff development;
- Ensure proper coordination and communication with programs and entities;
- Complete all projects in a timely, quality, and cost-effective manner;
- Ensure groundwater contaminants are addressed in accordance with the cleanup standards promulgated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Navajo Nation; and Promote the Geographic Information System (GIS) development.