Rep. Crane Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Clean Up Abandoned Mines

Rep. Crane Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Clean Up Abandoned Mines

by | Jun 9, 2025 | News

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ02) introduced the bipartisan Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025 alongside Arizona Democrats Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ04), Senator Mark Kelly, and Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming. In the proposed legislation, the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains (OMDP) within the EPA, launched in 2020 under by President Donald Trump, would be codified into law.

The OMDP, which enhances coordination between federal, state, and tribal agencies in hardrock mining cleanup, would establish congressional oversight of the office as well.

According to Crane, the codification of the OMDP under this bill would:

  • “Encourage the EPA to prioritize responsible mine cleanup in Arizona over green initiatives,
  • Ensure proper congressional oversight of its progress,
  • Bolster the OMDP’s outreach to ensure that local and Tribal authorities have a seat at the table for cleanup projects that impact their health and environment,
  • Provide guardrails to keep the office’s efforts focused on mine cleanup.”

“As we work to support domestic mining of critical minerals, it’s crucial that we remain committed to doing so responsibly. The consequences of poor stewardship are detrimental for the health and safety of those living in rural Arizona, particularly on the Navajo Nation,” Rep. Crane said in a statement. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that would help ensure reasonable and timely cleanup and increased congressional oversight of the process.”

In a post to X, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren publicly announced his support for the measure and thanked Rep. Crane and his co-sponsors.

“I want to thank Congressmen Eli Crane and Greg Stanton, Senators Mark Kelly and Cynthia Lummis, and all those involved in the introduction of the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act. This legislation is a critical step forward in addressing the long-standing health and environmental impacts of abandoned hardrock mines, especially on the Navajo Nation,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.

“By codifying the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains at the EPA, this bill ensures Tribal nations like ours have a meaningful voice in mine cleanup efforts that directly impact our communities. We have lived with the consequences of these abandoned sites for far too long—this act represents accountability, cooperation, and real progress. Ahéheeʼ to everyone who has helped move this issue forward.”

“Abandoned hardrock mines put Arizona communities—especially Tribal nations—at a high risk of exposure to substances that are hazardous to their long-term health,” Rep. Greg Stanton said. “Our bipartisan legislation works to swiftly and responsibly mitigate this environmental threat, and makes sure Tribal and local authorities have a stronger voice in the process.”

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.

Bills Targeting Chinese-Owned Abandoned Mines Passed By Arizona House

Bills Targeting Chinese-Owned Abandoned Mines Passed By Arizona House

by | Mar 3, 2025 | News

By Daniel Stefanski |

One chamber in the Arizona Legislature is taking action over environmental issues with abandoned mines.

Last week week, the Arizona House of Representatives approved three pieces of legislation with the purpose of “ensuring accountability and environmental responsibility when dealing with hazardous and abandoned mine sites.” The bills were HB 2127, HB 2128, and HCM 2007. According to the press release announcing the bills’ progress in the state legislature, the three proposals were introduced as “a direct response to a troubling situation in Yavapai County involving the Senator Mine, where a Chinese-owned company abandoned its operations after causing widespread public safety risks.”

The bills were all sponsored by State Representative Selina Bliss. In a statement accompanying the press release, Bliss said, “We cannot allow foreign entities and bad actors to exploit our natural resources, and violate our laws, only to skip town while Arizonans are left holding the bag. These bills ensure that Arizona communities aren’t left vulnerable to environmental hazards, while also giving good actors an opportunity to earn support in our local communities. I’m proud to see them pass the House, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support them.”

Bliss added, “Right now, there are groups willing to step up and help clean Arizona’s environmental messes, but they’re afraid of being saddled with liability for problems they didn’t cause. These measures fix that. They open the door for more voluntary remediation, allowing experts to restore these sites without fear of legal repercussions. This is a win for Arizona’s environment and our economy.”

HB 2127 would “establish clear notification requirements when regulated entities seek to sell their contaminated properties to third parties in order to avoid pending litigation, ensuring that buyers, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and the State Mine Inspector are aware of the potential sale.”

HB 2128 would “expand Arizona’s existing Prospective Purchaser Agreement program to allow responsible third parties – such as environmental organizations and reputable mining companies – to clean up contaminated sites without being held liable for the damage caused by previous bad actors.

HCM 2007 “is a legislative memorial that urges state officials to take advantage of the newly established Good Samaritan Act, created under federal law. The program works in tandem with HB 2128 to enable nonprofit groups and private entities to clean up abandoned mines without facing regulatory roadblocks.”

The three bills will now be considered by the State Senate.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.