H.R. 504 — Abandoned Hardrock Mines Reclamation Act

Summary

Abandoned Hardrock Mines Reclamation Act - Requires any person producing hardrock minerals from a mine within an unpatented mining claim, or a mine on land that was patented under the general mining laws, to pay the Secretary of the Interior a percentage-based reclamation fee for deposit into the Abandoned Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund.

Establishes in the Treasury an interest-bearing Abandoned Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund administered by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to use the Fund for reclamation and restoration of eligible areas, and approved State reclamation programs and Federal remediation activities.

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue an abandoned or inactive mined land waste remediation permit to a remediating party for discharges associated with remediation activity at abandoned or inactive mined land under certain conditions.

Prescribes guidelines for issuance of permits and application requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to delegate to the States the authority for issuance and review of reclamation permits.

Authorizes enforcement actions against parties who fail to comply with permit conditions.

Sunsets the authority to issue an abandoned or inactive mined land waste remediation permits.

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Legislative Actions

2003-01-29
Introduced in House
2003-01-29
Introduced in House
2003-01-29
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E108-109)
2003-01-29
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2003-01-29
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2003-01-29
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2003-01-30
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
2003-02-06
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E154-155)
2003-02-12
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
2003-02-12
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

Abandoned Hardrock Mines Reclamation Act

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Summary

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