Return of AML Funds Owed Western States

Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), states are to receive at least one-half of the collections from a fee imposed on coal production for the purpose of reclaiming abandoned mines.  The other half of collections are expended at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior.  Unfortunately, federal Administrations have failed to request and Congress has failed to appropriate sufficient funds to meet the commitments made under SMCRA.  As a result collections have consistently exceeded appropriations.  The surplus in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Trust Fund continues to grow while abandoned mines remain unreclaimed.  The following table shows funds owed western states as of September 30, 1999.  These amounts have continued to grow.  The states receive no interest on these funds held by the federal treasury.