Today, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced the bipartisan Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025. The bill would codify the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains (OMDP) within the EPA, strengthening coordination among Federal, State, and Tribal authorities on hardrock mine cleanup. It would also ensure congressional oversight of the Office. Proper mine cleanup remains a vital issue for rural Arizona and the broader region.

Specifically, codifying the OMDP with this legislation 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.

Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) is the Democratic co-lead in the House, and Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) are leading a companion bill in the Senate.

BACKGROUND

Until the 1970s, mine operators were allowed to abandon their land after conducting mining activities, often leaving behind toxic waste piles and unsecured tunnels.

The Government Accountability Office estimates that there are 140,000 abandoned hardrock mines in the United States, primarily in western states. These mines pose health and safety hazards to surrounding communities, including surface and groundwater contamination. More than 500 of those sites are located on the Navajo Nation.

The OMDP was established in 2020 by the Trump EPA but still lacks congressional authorization. The Office has been effective in planning cleanup activities and conducting outreach, even establishing several local offices and assisting with EPA regional office cleanup efforts. This bill builds on the Office’s successes while increasing congressional oversight of the EPA’s mine cleanup progress.

“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.”

“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,” said Rep. Eli Crane. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that would help ensure reasonable and timely cleanup and increased congressional oversight of the process.”

“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,” said Rep. Greg Stanton. “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.”