Bill > S2741

This bill establishes the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address environmental cleanup at abandoned mine sites across the United States. The office will be responsible for coordinating cleanup efforts across federal agencies, regional offices, and stakeholders, with a particular focus on hardrock mining sites that have caused environmental contamination. Key provisions include creating an annual priority list of mine sites for cleanup, developing best practices for site assessments and remediation, and establishing specific interagency plans for uranium contamination on Navajo Nation lands. The office will coordinate with various federal agencies, Tribal governments, and other stakeholders to investigate and clean up hazardous substance releases, prioritizing sites without a clearly identifiable responsible party. The bill specifically calls for innovative technologies and approaches to cleanup, including potential resource recovery and reuse of mine sites. Importantly, the bill does not create new regulatory authority but aims to improve coordination and efficiency in addressing environmental contamination from legacy mining activities. The office will provide technical assistance to states, local governments, and Tribal entities and will submit annual reports to Congress detailing its prioritization methodology and cleanup action status.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2741/all-info