The bill would create an Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The office would coordinate cleanup work at discontinued hardrock mine sites, share cleanup practices, and support coordination among federal agencies, states, Tribes, and other groups. The EPA would also publish an annual list of mine sites prioritized for cleanup and report on cleanup progress. By September 30, 2028, the EPA and other agencies would develop a 10-year plan for cleanup at abandoned uranium mine sites on Navajo Nation land, with updates at least every 10 years.
The office would provide technical assistance to states, local governments, Tribes, and other entities. It would support Tribal consultation and updates on cleanup work at sites on Tribal land. The bill does not give the EPA new regulatory authority or set a default cleanup standard.
The bill does not specify a funding amount. The 10-year Navajo Nation cleanup plan must include projected appropriations needed to meet its goals, subject to appropriations and funding from potentially responsible parties.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.