Our national forests, parks and other wildlife areas must be protected so our children can enjoy the beauty that was passed down to us.The Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Fund was created to clean up the damage mining did to America before 1977.Tennessee still has hazardous sites that look like 'war zones.'They pose a threat to the safety and quality of life of Tennesseans.
As a 'non-primacy' state, Tennessee is only eligible for a small amount of AML funding.Over the last 25 years, only 25% of Tennessee's 243 AML sites have been reclaimed.I have worked hard to get a fair share each year from an emergency fund, but more federal dollars are badly needed.States like Tennessee with abandoned mine reclamation oversight programs that monitor sites and develop reclamation plans need a minimum funding guarantee regardless of their primacy status.
As a Member of the Interior Appropriation Subcommittee, I will continue to support annual funding of this important program.The Senate recently passed a nine month extension of the AML program to allow time to craft a long-term extension of the program.I am hopeful that House and Senate negotiators will ultimately include this provision in the final bill.
