WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan bill to encourage the cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines will benefit wildlife, public lands and waters, local communities, and outdoor recreationists. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act removes liability provisions which have hampered the cleanup operations by conservation and other “good Samaritan” organizations.

“For more than a century, abandoned hardrock mines have contaminated our waters and lands with toxic pollution — putting wildlife and people at risk. The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act will accelerate their clean up by removing barriers for conservation organizations and other partners to advance reclamation projects that safeguard clean drinking water and restore some of our most important waterways and fisheries," said Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. "We commend the leadership of Senator Heinrich, Senator Risch, and all of the bipartisan co-sponsors for taking on this critical issue.”