diff --git a/config/acme/machines/Makefile b/config/acme/machines/Makefile
index e5e7608facf..701cd2add73 100644
--- a/config/acme/machines/Makefile
+++ b/config/acme/machines/Makefile
@@ -251,8 +251,9 @@ ifeq ($(strip $(USE_PETSC)), TRUE)
     $(error PETSC_PATH must be defined when USE_PETSC is TRUE)
   endif
 
-  # Get the "PETSC_LIB" list an env var
-  include $(PETSC_PATH)/conf/variables
+  # Get the "PETSC_LIB" list an env var 
+  include $(PETSC_PATH)/lib/petsc/conf/variables
+  
 endif
 
 # Set Trilinos info if it is being used
@@ -564,7 +565,7 @@ endif
 
 # Add PETSc libraries
 ifeq ($(strip $(USE_PETSC)), TRUE)
-  SLIBS += -L${LIB_PETSC} ${PETSC_LIB}
+  SLIBS += ${PETSC_LIB}
 endif
 
 # Add trilinos libraries; too be safe, we include all libraries included in the trilinos build,
@@ -904,7 +905,7 @@ cleanrof:
 	$(RM) -fr $(EXEROOT)/rof/obj
 
 cleanlnd:
-	$(RM) -f $(LIBROOT)/liblnd.a
+	$(RM) -f $(LIBROOT)/$(LNDLIB)
 	$(RM) -fr $(EXEROOT)/lnd/obj
 
 cleancsmshare:
diff --git a/config/acme/machines/config_compilers.xml b/config/acme/machines/config_compilers.xml
index 05d7cc5c753..91039fc856f 100644
--- a/config/acme/machines/config_compilers.xml
+++ b/config/acme/machines/config_compilers.xml
@@ -82,6 +82,18 @@ for mct, etc.
   <ADD_CPPDEFS MODEL="pop"> -D_USE_FLOW_CONTROL </ADD_CPPDEFS>
 </compiler>
 
+
+<!-- hacking of mach/compiler generated 'Macros.make' for coupling with pflotran -->
+<!-- ideally it should go with CLM configuration -->
+<compiler>
+  <ADD_FFLAGS  MODEL="clm"    CLM_PFLOTRAN_COUPLED="TRUE"> -I$(CLM_PFLOTRAN_SOURCE_DIR) </ADD_FFLAGS>
+  <ADD_CPPDEFS MODEL="clm"    CLM_PFLOTRAN_COUPLED="TRUE"> -DCLM_PFLOTRAN </ADD_CPPDEFS>
+  <ADD_CPPDEFS MODEL="clm"    CLM_PFLOTRAN_COUPLED="TRUE" CLM_PFLOTRAN_COLMODE="TRUE"> -DCOLUMN_MODE </ADD_CPPDEFS>
+  <ADD_LDFLAGS MODEL="driver" CLM_PFLOTRAN_COUPLED="TRUE"> -L$(CLM_PFLOTRAN_SOURCE_DIR) -lpflotran $(PETSC_LIB) </ADD_LDFLAGS>
+</compiler>
+<!-- end of hacking 'Macros.make' for coupling with pflotran -->
+
+
 <compiler COMPILER="ibm">
   <!-- http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/comphelp/v7v91/index.jsp
  Notes:  (see xlf user's guide for the details)
diff --git a/config/acme/machines/config_machines.xml b/config/acme/machines/config_machines.xml
index 539a4939abf..cc2bb2a46e4 100644
--- a/config/acme/machines/config_machines.xml
+++ b/config/acme/machines/config_machines.xml
@@ -1947,6 +1947,16 @@
           <command name="load">netcdf-hdf5parallel/4.3.3.1</command>
         </modules>
       </module_system>
+ 
+      <!-- for CLM-PFLOTRAN coupling, the PETSC_PATH must be defined specifically upon machines -->
+      <environment_variables>
+        <env name="PETSC_PATH" compiler="gnu" mpilib="openmpi">/software/user_tools/current/cades-ccsi/petsc4pf/openmpi-1.10-gcc-5.3</env>      
+       <!-- hack for PFLOTRAN coupling (this is a temporary solution, and user must manually edit it after case.setup)-->
+       <env name="CLM_PFLOTRAN_COUPLED">FALSE</env>
+       <env name="CLM_PFLOTRAN_COLMODE">FALSE</env>
+       <!-- dir for pflotran source code -->
+       <env name="CLM_PFLOTRAN_SOURCE_DIR">/lustre/or-hydra/cades-ccsi/$USER/models/pflotran-interface/src/clm-pflotran</env>
+      </environment_variables>       
 </machine>
 
 <machine MACH="titan">
diff --git a/config/acme/testmods_dirs/allactive/clm/bgcinterface/user_nl_clm b/config/acme/testmods_dirs/allactive/clm/bgcinterface/user_nl_clm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2b5ce849209
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/acme/testmods_dirs/allactive/clm/bgcinterface/user_nl_clm
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+use_clm_interface = .true.
+use_clm_bgc = .true.
diff --git a/scripts/lib/update_acme_tests.py b/scripts/lib/update_acme_tests.py
index 0207dfd1e38..de1e98a3b1f 100644
--- a/scripts/lib/update_acme_tests.py
+++ b/scripts/lib/update_acme_tests.py
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@
                              ("SMS_Ld4.f45_f45.ICLM45ED","clm-fates"),
                              ("ERS.f19_g16.I1850CLM45","clm-betr"),
                              ("ERS.f19_g16.I1850CLM45","clm-vst"),
+                             ("ERS.f09_g16.I1850CLM45CN","clm-bgcinterface"),
                               "ERS.ne11_oQU240.I20TRCLM45",
                               "ERS.f09_g16.IMCLM45BC")
                              ),