Statement of Cathy Carlson, Policy Advisor, EARTHWORKS in Support of Abandoned Mine Restoration Initiative Introduced in the U.S. Senate October 13, 2009S.1777 – The Good Samaritan Cleanup of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2009
Washington D.C., October 14— “EARTHWORKS welcomes the step forward for abandoned mine restoration in the U.S. Senate represented by the introduction of Good Samaritan abandoned mine legislation [S. 1777, the Good Samaritan Cleanup of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act]. The attention on this pervasive source of water pollution from our legacy of abandoned mines is long overdue. Senator Mark Udall deserves praise for leading this effort to bring common sense to the management of abandoned mine clean up efforts, and allow communities, companies, non-profit organizations and individuals to help restore our polluted waters without liability under the Clean Water Act. We look forward to working with the Senate Environment and Public Works in the need to act on this proposal to protect our streams, fisheries and western communities from the pollution that comes from abandoned mines. Coupled with this important step forward to restore abandoned mines, we hope the Senate will consider comprehensive mining reform legislation to provide a revenue source for these restoration efforts.