Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025
The Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025 would create a new Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to coordinate cleanup actions at hardrock mining sites across Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private lands. The Office would develop and share best practices, promote innovative cleanup technologies and reuse options, and boost coordination among the EPA, other federal agencies, states, tribes, and non-governmental groups. It emphasizes contracting opportunities for small businesses, prioritization of cleanup actions (including sites not on the National Priorities List), and government-to-government engagement with Indian Tribes. A key feature is a 10-year interagency plan for Navajo Nation abandoned uranium mine sites, with goals, target dates, and funding projections. The bill explicitly states it does not create new regulatory authority or default cleanup standards beyond existing law, but it aims to improve coordination, planning, and assistance for cleanup actions.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the EPA to coordinate cleanup actions at covered mine sites, including sites in Indian country, led by a Director appointed by the Administrator.
- 2Definitions and scope: a “covered mine site” includes lands affected by past hardrock mining and related water resources; “cleanup action” relies on existing authorities (CERCLA, the Good Samaritan Act of 2024, Solid Waste Disposal Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and other EPA authorities).
- 3Duties and process: annual creation of a priority mine list (which may include sites on or off the National Priorities List), regular reporting to Congress, sharing best practices, and coordinating with regional offices and stakeholders on cleanup actions.
- 4Tribal and interagency focus: enhanced tribal consultation and government-to-government coordination, including inviting potentially responsible parties to consultations when appropriate; plan for Alaska Native input where applicable.
- 5Navajo Nation uranium mines: a mandatory 10-year interagency plan (with periodic updates) to coordinate cleanup on Navajo Nation abandoned uranium mine sites, involving multiple federal agencies (e.g., DOE, NRC, IHS, ATSDR) and affected tribes, plus reporting to Congress.
- 6Small-business and contractor opportunities: the Office will seek to promote contracting with small businesses for cleanup work, within existing federal procurement rules.
- 7Savings provisions: the bill does not grant new regulatory authority or establish a default cleanup standard; it leverages existing authorities and emphasizes coordination and guidance.