Representative Eli Crane's (R-AZ) Legacy Mine Cleanup Act has passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and will soon head to the House floor for a vote.
What the Bill Does
Rep. Crane first introduced the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act in October 2024, which would codify the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains (OMDP) division of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), created by President Donald Trump in 2020 to specifically address issues posed by abandoned mines.
Additionally, Congress would have oversight of the OMDP's progress in cleaning up the sites and ensuring that Tribal and local authorities are adequately represented in the cleanup process.
Prior to the 1970s, mine operators were allowed to abandon a mining site once the resources were extracted, leaving behind hazardous materials and open tunnels that posed health and environmental risks to the surrounding area.
Over 14,000 abandoned mines are estimated to be in the United States, most of which are in the West, and 500 alone are found within the Navajo Nation.
Rep. Crane reintroduced the bill in June 2025 with Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), and Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced a Senate companion bill that passed the Upper Chamber in November.
What Crane is Saying
"Abandoned mines pose serious health and safety hazards for surrounding communities, and the federal government should prioritize mitigating these harmful impacts," the Arizona congressman said in a press release. "By codifying the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the EPA, we ensure that the Office's important work continues without interruption."
Crane also thanked Sens. Kelly and Lummis for "successfully passing a companion bill through the Senate, and I also appreciate Rep. Stanton for his partnership on this legislation in the House. I'm hopeful we can build on the momentum from today's legislative hearing and see this bill receive a vote on the House Floor."
