Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025

The Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025 would create a permanent Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate cleanup efforts at abandoned hardrock mine sites. The bill addresses environmental contamination from past mining activities, including hazardous waste and toxic substances that threaten water supplies and public health. The office would work with federal, state, and tribal governments to prioritize cleanup sites, develop best practices using advanced technologies, and provide technical assistance to communities affected by mining pollution.

The bill would require the EPA to create annual lists of priority mine sites for cleanup and develop long-term plans for addressing uranium contamination on tribal lands, particularly in the Navajo Nation. It would also facilitate partnerships between government agencies, tribal nations, and non-profit organizations to accelerate cleanup efforts and help small businesses participate in remediation contracts. The legislation emphasizes that it does not grant the EPA new regulatory powers beyond existing law, but rather improves coordination and oversight of cleanup activities already authorized.