WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hal Quinn, National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO issued the following statement today in support of the “Good Samaritan Remediation of Orphan Hardrock Mines Act of 2018,” which was introduced today by Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Colo.):
“Today’s thorough federal and state regulations require that land reclamation and restoration be a key component of every mining project — but that wasn’t always the case. As a result, legacy mine sites have remained abandoned for decades or centuries. While our industry, environmental groups and others have the expertise and desire to rehabilitate these lands, current laws are preventing environmental progress. Senator Gardner and Congressman Tipton’s legislation would change that.
“These bills are vital to clearing the obstacles that are impeding remediation efforts at abandoned legacy mine sites that continue to impact land and water resources. Good Samaritans should be supported in their efforts to clean up these sites without fear of incurring additional legal liability. This is common sense legislation that Congress has discussed for years. Now is the time for action.”
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