Sinema’s bill follows historic investments from her bipartisan infrastructure law for abandoned mine clean up
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act—bipartisan legislation cutting red tape allowing organizations to ensure safer Arizona communities by cleaning up abandoned mines, which can contaminate water, cause environmental damage, and contain old explosives.
“Abandoned mines across our state threaten Arizonans’ health, the safety of our communities, and future economic opportunities. We’re making it easier for organizations to clean up dangerous abandoned mines and keep Arizonans safe,” said Sinema.
“The Arizona Mining Association and Arizona Rock Products Association are truly grateful for the continued leadership Senator Sinema has demonstrated by her support of the Good Samaritan bill. This bipartisan legislation crafted by environmental groups and the industry will remove the remaining obstacles; that prevent the remediation of land and water resources, in order to advance much needed clean ups,” said Steve Trussell, Executive Director, Arizona Mining Association and Arizona Rock Products Association.
Arizona has an estimated 100,000 abandoned mines, with only 19,000 formally documented. Maricopa County alone estimates it rescues someone from an abandoned mine shaft every 12-16 months. Sinema’s Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act allows certain nonprofit organizations solely focused on abandoned mine cleanup to qualify for exemptions from Clean Water Act and Superfund rules, which currently limit organizations’ ability to clean up mines because of liability concerns.
Sinema’s Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act builds on her work leading the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law, which secured $11.3 billion for the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund and authorized $3 billion for abandoned hardrock mine reclamation, helping more organizations engage in mine cleanup.
Sinema’s Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act has broad support by Trout Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Property and Environment Research Center, National Deer Association, National Wildlife Federation, National Mining Association, American Exploration and Mining Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Izaak Walton League of America, and the Outdoor Alliance.