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. 

“Abandoned hardrock mines have contaminated our waters and lands with toxic pollution for more than a century and a half — putting wildlife, drinking water, and communities at risk. The bipartisan Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act is a long-overdue, common-sense bill that will accelerate cleanup efforts by removing barriers for conservation groups and partners so they can reclaim degraded landscapes and restore critically-important waterways,” 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 forging a path forward on this critical issue.”