Oversight Hearing: Abandoned Hardrock Mines

Energy and Mineral Resources Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018 Time: 02:00 PM Location: Longworth House Office Building 1324

TOPLINE MESSAGES:

  • Hundreds of thousands of abandoned hardrock mines across the nation create major environmental, public health, and safety hazards, and there needs to be a dedicated source of funding to address those.
  • With cleanup costs in the tens of billions, volunteer efforts will not be nearly enough to address these abandoned mines. Mining companies must pay their share to clean up the pollution left behind as a result of their industry’s history.
  • The bigger picture is that the Mining Law of 1872 – an antiquated law that embodies a long-outdated vision of mining and the American West – needs comprehensive reform.

Witnesses

  1. Autumn Coleman
    Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager
    Montana Department of Environmental Quality
    Helena , MT
  2. Jeff Graves, PG
    Director, Office of Active and Inactive Mines
    State of Colorado
    Denver , CO
  3. The Honorable David Strohmaier
    County Commissioner
    Missoula County
    Missoula , MT
  4. Chris Wood
    President and CEO
    Trout Unlimited
    Alexandria , VA