For Immediate Release

Aug. 1, 2024

Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111 [email protected]

“Good Samaritan” Legislation to Clean Up Abandoned Mines Passes the Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 31, the U.S. Senate passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act (S. 2781) without objection. As the “Voice for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife,” Backcountry Hunters Anglers (BHA) has strongly supported “Good Samaritan” legislation for decades and is now celebrating the bill’s first-ever passage by a chamber of Congress.

“For the first time in history, and resulting from decades of hard work, the Senate has passed legislation to provide a path forward for 'Good Samaritan’ entities to tackle the number one source of pollution on our public lands and waters: abandoned hardrock mines," said Patrick Berry, BHA president and CEO. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers extends our gratitude to Senator Heinrich and Senator Risch for their stalwart leadership on this commonsense legislation that has been a priority for hunters, anglers, and the outdoor community. Now the House of Representatives must capitalize on this momentum and ensure this widely bipartisan bill is sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law before the end of the year.”

Led by Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Risch (R-ID), the bill authorizes a pilot program that would allow a limited number of permits for “ to carry out remediation projects on abandoned mine sites. These permits would allow state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits to clean up abandoned hardrock mine sites without assuming future liability. Currently, only the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to treat discharged mine water from abandoned mine sites; “Good Samaritans” would be permanently liable for the site and any remaining pollution, if they clean up any mine waste.

An estimated 33,000 abandoned hardrock mines sites actively contaminate our rivers and streams. Hunters and anglers have long advocated for “Good Samaritan” legislation to address acid mine drainage that compromises the health of treasured public landscapes. Allowing willing entities to restore these sites will help address the remediation of thousands of smaller abandoned mines that are lesser priority for the EPA yet negatively impact fish and wildlife on public lands and waters.

BHA, along with other conservation-based hunting and angling groups, has repeatedly urged Congress to pass “Good Samaritan” legislation, and these groups are now calling on the House of Representatives to advance companion legislation led by Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-UT) and Mary Peltola (D-AK).

Take action today with BHA to help Good Samaritans restore our public lands and waters for generations to come.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife.