Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024
1/14/2025, 5:12 PMSummary of Bill S 2781
Bill 118 s 2781, also known as the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of abandoned hardrock mines that pose environmental and public health risks.The bill aims to encourage private entities and individuals, known as "Good Samaritans," to voluntarily clean up and remediate abandoned hardrock mines by providing liability protections. These protections would shield Good Samaritans from certain legal liabilities that may arise during the cleanup process, such as liability for pollution caused by the original mine operators.
Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program to provide funding for Good Samaritans to conduct remediation projects at abandoned hardrock mines. This funding would help cover the costs associated with cleanup efforts, such as water treatment, soil remediation, and habitat restoration. Overall, the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 aims to incentivize and support the cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines to protect the environment and public health. It seeks to address the challenges associated with these abandoned mines by providing liability protections and financial assistance to those willing to take on the task of remediation.
Congressional Summary of S 2781
Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024
This bill promotes the remediation of abandoned hardrock mine sites by Good Samaritans. A Good Samaritan means a person that is (1) not a past or current owner or operator of the abandoned site; (2) had no role in the creation of the historic mine residue; and (3) is not potentially liable under any law for the remediation, treatment, or control of the historic mine residue.
The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Good Samaritan pilot program. Under the program, the EPA may issue certain permits to allow Good Samaritans to remediate historic mine residue at abandoned hardrock mine sites without being subject to enforcement or liability under specified environmental laws for past, present, or future releases, threats of releases, or discharges of hazardous substances or other contaminants at or from the abandoned mine site.
In addition, the bill establishes a Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund for land management agencies that authorize Good Samaritans to conduct remediation projects on federal land.
