establish the Minnesota Abandoned Mine Land Conservation and Restoration Program

 

 

The main goal of this Act is to start an organized, long-term state plan to clean up and put natural life back into Old

Mine Sites (AML) in Minnesota. The main focus is on sites that are dangerous for the environment or have a good chance

for plant life to grow back.

 

 

Environmental Problems: Reducing acid and heavy metal contamination harms surface water and underground water,

especially in Northern Minnesota.

Loss of Plant life: Fixing large areas of land that have no native plants to create strong places for native animals and

plants to live.

Financial Opportunities: Creating jobs in environmental work, water study, and nature protection.

Public Safety: Cleaning up risky physical features (open holes, unstable banks) to keep people safe and healthy.

 

 

(a) Old Mine Site (AML). Any land, water, or affected area where mining or related work has stopped, and for which no

one who is legally responsible exists to complete cleanup in line with today's rules.

(b) Plan. The Minnesota Old Mine Site Nature Protection and Cleanup Plan (AMLER Program) set up under the Department of

Natural Resources (DNR).

(c) Natural Life Cleanup. A process using science-backed ways to return a natural area to its original native plants and

how it worked, including the cleaning up of dirty soil and water.

(d) Native Plants/Animals Cleanup. The must-do use of seeds, stock, and plantings that naturally grew in the specific

natural region of the Old Mine Site.

 

 

Special Money Account: The Mine Land Natural Life Cleanup Special Money Account is set up in the State Treasury. This

account will get all federal gifts (grants), private gifts (donations), and state money for the Plan.

Starting Money: $3,000,000 is set aside from the main State money for the DNR Head for the two-year period starting July

1, 2026, for first site checks, paying staff, and starting the first trial cleanup project.

 

 

The DNR Head, along with the MPCA, has the power to make sure the rules are followed.

Misusing Money: Spending the Special Money Account for anything other than what the Act says is a violation, and the

State of Minnesota can immediately get the money back.

Breaking Cleanup Rules:

If a hired company does not meet the Natural Life Cleanup or Native Plants/Animals Cleanup Rules, the DNR will issue a

fix-it order.

The hired company must pay for all costs to fix the site.

Fine: Not following a fix-it order within 90 days can result in a fine of up to $5,000 every day until the problem is

fixed. Fines go into the Special Money Account.

 

 

This Act takes effect on January 1, 2027.