Abandoned Mine Lands

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Since the mid-1800s, there has been a long and colorful history of mining in the western United States. The historic aspects spark our curiosity in this interesting and significant part of our heritage.

However, many old mines have also left a legacy of environmental and physical hazards that pose serious impacts to water quality, public health, and safety on public lands in Idaho and throughout the West. Hundreds of abandoned mine sites exist on public lands in Idaho. While the majority of sites have only minor impacts, BLM in Idaho is investigating and designing cleanup and reclamation measures of priority mine sites to restore these public lands.