1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I urge your support for the bipartisan Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 (S.2781/H.R.7779). The U.S. Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent, and it was passed by voice vote in both the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee and the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill has incredible momentum and is slated for action on the House Floor in the coming days.   As a Hoosier who values clean water and wildlife habitat, I ask for your support for this critical legislation. As the 118th Congress wraps up, we join a broad bipartisan coalition pushing for passage of this bill. We are proud to stand with groups like the National Congress of American Indians and the Western Governors’ Association. The full list of supporters includes dozens of Tribal Nations, outdoor recreation businesses and associations, state and Tribal mine remediation agencies, and multiple state and local governments.   Unfortunately, 38 AML sites covering nearly 200k acres in Indiana continue to pollute the environment, posing a significant risk to drinking water supplies, wildlife habitat and public safety. Further, under existing federal law, state or county agencies, non-profit conservation organizations, or other qualified non-liable third parties who volunteer to clean up abandoned mines can end up being held liable for historic pollution that they did not cause. As a consequence, abandoned mines are left to pollute our streams and water systems because of the dramatic disincentive that exists for good actors who would otherwise dedicate substantial time and resources to cleanup efforts.   S.2718/H.R.7779 would help address this challenge through a carefully crafted, narrow pilot program. Administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, the pilot program would allow for up to 15 low-risk Good Samaritan remediation projects. Good Samaritans who operate in compliance with their EPA permit would be given a narrow, conditional liability safe harbor covering only remediation activities. Moreover, the liability safe harbor is only applicable so long as the permit conditions are met, and only if there is no decline in environmental conditions or water quality due to the actions by the permittee. With these standards in place, the legislation establishes a high bar for Good Samaritans and ensures safe, effective projects and an enforcement backstop.   S.2781/H.R.7779 is a solution to help address the scourge of abandoned mines impacting water quality and wildlife habitat across Indiana and the entire country. We urge you to help ensure that this badly needed legislation is signed into law so that those who want to help can be part of the solution of cleaning up abandoned mines that would otherwise continue polluting the environment and our communities. This bill is a vote for clean water, healthy streams, and thriving wildlife throughout the Hoosier state!