The "Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Environmental Quality Protection" program (NOFO L25AS00185) aims to mitigate hazards, restore watersheds, and manage air quality on public lands in New Mexico, aligning with the Department of the Interior’s priorities for climate resilience, environmental justice, and conservation. Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the program focuses on addressing abandoned mine lands (AML), hazardous substances, and degraded watersheds.

Eligible applicants include state, county, and municipal governments, public and private higher education institutions, federally recognized tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible. No cost-sharing is required, though partnerships are encouraged. Applicants must register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov and submit their applications by February 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

The program goals include reclaiming abandoned mine lands for productive uses such as recreation and wildlife habitat, reducing risks to human health and ecosystems from hazardous substances, and fostering partnerships to leverage resources. The AML program supports activities like mine closure, remediation, monitoring, and public education to address risks. These efforts are expected to reduce contamination, ensure compliance with environmental standards, and enhance community engagement, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

The funding pool totals $10 million, with individual awards ranging between $250,000 and $1 million. Applications must include a project narrative detailing objectives, public benefits, technical approaches, compliance plans, and an evaluation framework. A budget narrative justifying expenses and identifying cost-sharing contributions (if any) is required. Cooperative agreements will involve substantial collaboration with the BLM, including joint planning, approvals, and monitoring.

Proposals are evaluated on need, technical approach, public benefit, qualifications, and leveraging of resources. Environmental compliance and regulatory adherence are integral to project approval. Recipients must adhere to Buy America provisions for infrastructure and geospatial data standards under the Geospatial Data Act.

Selected projects will begin on September 5, 2025, and end by September 4, 2030. Reporting requirements include financial and program performance metrics, as well as compliance with federal policies. For guidance, applicants are encouraged to contact BLM environmental quality leads prior to submission.