The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, a bill introduced by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). The legislation aims to facilitate the cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines by "Good Samaritans," such as state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and other groups.
The Senate had previously passed the bill unanimously in July. The House version was led by Representatives Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), and Susie Lee (D-Nev.). The bill now awaits President Biden's signature to become law.
Senator Risch expressed satisfaction with the bill's progress: “I introduced the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act with Senator Heinrich to remove unnecessary barriers to clean up long-abandoned mine sites in Idaho and across the United States. This work is long overdue. I am pleased to see our bill pass the House of Representatives with resounding bipartisan support and look forward to its swift signing into law.”
Senator Heinrich highlighted the challenges faced by volunteers over the years: “For more than 25 years, Good Samaritans have tried to clean up abandoned mines but have faced significant hurdles and liability rules that hold them responsible for all the pre-existing pollution from a mine — despite having no involvement with the mines before their cleanup efforts."
According to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), there are over 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features in the U.S., with 22,500 posing environmental hazards. The new legislation seeks to create a pilot permitting program for not-for-profit cleanup efforts while ensuring compliance with federal oversight.
The act has garnered support from various industry and conservation groups including Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Mark Compton, Executive Director of the American Exploration and Mining Association, stated: “AEMA celebrates today’s passage of the bipartisan Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hard Rock Mines Act... Our members are proud to collaborate with the conservation community, states, and federal government."
Rich Nolan, President and CEO of the National Mining Association remarked on its significance: “Today’s passage... was the final step in securing a key solution to tackle the long-overdue cleanup of legacy abandoned mine sites."
Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited said: “This is a victory for common sense. Senators Heinrich and Risch took a bipartisan approach to a non-partisan issue."
The legislation is cosponsored by several senators across party lines including Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) among others.
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