PASSED: Congresswoman Lee's Bipartisan Bill to Clean Up Toxic Abandoned Hardrock Mines Passes House with Overwhelming Support

DOWNLOAD VIDEO: Lee’s floor speech ahead of vote

WASHINGTON – Today, the bipartisan, bicameral Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, or “Good Sam legislation” led by Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03), Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Congresswoman Mary Peltola (AK-AL), to clean up toxic abandoned hardrock mines passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support from both parties. Companion legislation that has already passed the Senate on July 31 is being led by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Risch (R-ID). This legislation now heads to the White House, where the President is expected to sign it. It is also supported by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. 

There are hundreds of thousands of abandoned hardrock mines scattered throughout the country, particularly concentrated in the American West — with an estimated 300,000 historic mining-related features and sites located in Nevada alone. Many of these sites pose direct risks to human health, the environment, and tribal lands, sending mercury, arsenic, lead and other toxic materials into Western waters and communities in addition to the physical dangers they present. 

State and local agencies and non-profit organizations that have no legal or financial responsibility for these abandoned hardrock hazards — true Good Samaritans — actively want to volunteer to clean up some of these sites, but they currently risk incurring the same liability that would have applied to the original and often long-defunct polluters who can no longer be held to account. To date, this has deterred would-be Good Samaritans from moving ahead with cleanup efforts. 

This Good Sam legislation will create a new, carefully crafted pilot program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for qualified Good Samaritans to begin remediating up to 15 low-risk abandoned hardrock mine sites — while preserving a backstop of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Clean Water Act enforcement. 

“Abandoned hardrock mines in Nevada and across the country are poisoning our waters, threatening Tribal lands, and their hazardous landscapes have injured and killed Americans. For 25 years, Good Sam bills — which would clean up these mines — have stalled because of Washington politics. Today, Republicans and Democrats made history by finally empowering Good Samaritan organizations that are willing and able to assist this long overdue clean up,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03). “Because of commonsense bipartisanship, our nation is now on a path to cleaner waters and safer landscapes.” 

“The State of Nevada applauds the passage of the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 today,” said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. “This legislation will ensure significant progress in our efforts to clean up abandoned mines in Nevada and across the United States. I was proud to voice my support for this bill, and I’m deeply grateful to our entire federal delegation who worked tirelessly on this bipartisan initiative that will benefit of our state and country.” 

The Biden Administration has already communicated its support for the bill to Congress, emphasizing that cleaning up America’s abandoned hardrock mines “will require investments and support beyond the federal government.” The pilot program established by the bill, administration officials have added, will allow “the federal government to learn lessons on how to best permit and manage remediation of these sites going forward.” 

“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. With today’s passage, we’ve now cleared one of the final hurdles preventing these groups from helping to protect the land, water, fish, and wildlife our communities rely on. This victory belongs to every single person who rolled up their sleeves to fix this longstanding injustice, and I’d like to thank those who have carried the baton to get us to this point. I am grateful for President Biden’s support of the bill, and his signature will allow Good Samaritans to get to work,” said Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM). 

“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,” said Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). “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.” 

“Despite having no legal or financial responsibility to do so, state agencies, non-profits, and advocates are eager to contribute to abandoned hardrock mine cleanup efforts,” said Congresswoman Mary Peltola (AK-AL). “But, right now, over-burdensome permitting requirements bar them from doing so. Too often, government red tape prevents good work from getting done — that’s why passing our Good Samaritan bill is huge for mine cleanup throughout Alaska!” 

"This legislation has been decades in the making,” said Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02). “I'm grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues and the many stakeholders across the country who helped us achieve this milestone. With my bill in place, state agencies, non-profits, mining companies and other volunteers can clean up abandoned mines without being held liable by the EPA or undergoing extensive permitting requirements. Thanks to this bill, Utahns will have the freedom to make their state a safer and cleaner place." 

The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act is also supported by the National Mining Association, the American Exploration and Mining Association, American Rivers, American Sportfishing Association, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, The Conservation Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Trout Unlimited 

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