Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. FULCHER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her work and leadership on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2781, the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024.

According to the Government Accountability Office, there are over 140,000 abandoned hardrock mines on Federal lands. At least 22,500 of these mines pose serious dangers to the communities around them. Historically, the Coeur d'Alene mining district in Idaho stands as one of the most productive mining regions in silver and lead in the United States, with a legacy dating back to the 1890s. However, this history has resulted in thousands of abandoned hardrock mines on Federal lands. In some cases, they degrade the environment.

This bill simply provides limited liability protections for groups willing to step up and help. It allows Good Samaritans, nonprofits, private organizations, and local governments to clean up and remediate these sites effectively without fear of incurring harmful liability under the framework of CERCLA and the Clean Water Act.

Mr. Speaker, this is needed. Government can't and shouldn't do everything. This legislation simply encourages public-private partnerships to tackle this issue and do it in an effective and affordable way.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues' support of this bill.

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