Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have reintroduced the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act, a bipartisan bill that would formally establish the Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The House version of this legislation has been introduced by Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ).
According to estimates from the Government Accountability Office, there are about 140,000 abandoned hardrock mines in the United States, primarily in western states. These sites often contain unsecured mine tunnels and toxic waste piles that pose hazards on both federal and nonfederal lands.
The Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains was initially created by the EPA in 2020 during the Trump Administration. Its purpose is to serve as a central clearing house to coordinate efforts for cleaning up abandoned hardrock mines in the western U.S.
“Protecting Wyoming and the west’s treasured landscapes requires moving beyond Washington’s typical one-size-fits-all mentality,” said Lummis. “We need region-specific strategies that respect our western communities and the unique challenges we face. I’m pleased to again work with Senator Kelly to give this important office permanent standing so it can build meaningful partnerships with states, tribes, and local stakeholders.”
“In Arizona, abandoned uranium mines continue to threaten the health of our families, our land, and our water,” said Kelly. “By cutting red tape, strengthening accountability, and improving coordination, we can accelerate cleanups and protect communities, especially tribal nations that have carried this burden for far too long.”
