Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2008

Mr. Speaker, today is, an important day for the citizens of Lake County and all residents of Colorado. They deserve to see what the federal government will do to correct problems associated with the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel.

The Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel was originally constructed by the federal Bureau of Mines in the 1940's and 1950's to facilitate the extraction of lead and zinc ore for the World War II and the Korean War efforts. The Bureau of Reclamation acquired the Tunnel in 1959 hoping to use the tunnel as a source of water for the Frying pan-Arkansas Project. Although the tunnel was never used for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, water that flows out of the tunnel is considered part of the natural flow of the Arkansas River.

With the passage and subsequent signing into law of H.R. 429 during the 102nd Congress (1992), the Bureau of Reclamation constructed and continues to operate a water treatment plant at the mouth of the Tunnel.

Groundwater levels at the tunnel have fluctuated in recent years. In addition, a collapse in the tunnel has increased the tunnel's mine pool significantly, leading to new seeps and springs in the area. Estimates suggest that up to 1 billion gallons of water may have built up within the mine pool.

In November 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation expressing concerns over a catastrophic blowout, and in February 2008, the Lake County Commissioners declared a state of emergency.

We know that the Bureau of Reclamation is completing a risk assessment in the area, and we look forward to reviewing that report. Additionally, some emergency measures are currently being undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Reclamation to relieve water pressure in the vicinity.

But many of the problems reported at this site are not new. Legislation addressing this matter and authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to rehabilitate this tunnel dates back to at least 1976.

In response to the request for action from the local community, I worked together with Congressman Mark Udall from Colorado and introduced H.R. 5511. This bill would direct the Bureau of Reclamation to relieve water pressure behind certain blockages in the tunnel, permanently manage the mine pool behind any blockage to prevent releases of contaminated water, and manage the tunnel in such a way to prevent failure of the structure.

I look forward to seeing this situation remedied so that concerns about human safety and environmental integrity may be appropriately and responsibly addressed. I encourage all members to support passage of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letters for inclusion in the Record on the consideration of H.R. 5511, the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2008.

House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure,

Washington, DC, June 12, 2008.

Hon. Nick Rahall,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Rahall: I write to you regarding H.R. 5511, a

bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to remedy

problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville,

Colorado.

H.R. 5511 contains provisions that fall within the

jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure. I recognize and appreciate your desire to

bring this legislation before the House in an expeditious

manner and, accordingly, I will not seek a sequential

referral of the bill. However, I agree to waive consideration

of this bill with the mutual understanding that my decision

to forego a sequential referral of the bill does not waive,

reduce, or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Committee

on Transportation and Infrastructure over H.R. 5511.

Further, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees

during any House-Senate conference convened on this

legislation on provisions of the bill that are within the

Committee's jurisdiction. I ask for your commitment to

support any request by the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure for the appointment of conferees on H.R. 5511

or similar legislation.

Please place a copy of this letter and your response

acknowledging the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure's jurisdictional interest in the Committee

Report on H.R. 5511 and in the Congressional Record during

consideration of the measure on the House Floor.

I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass

this important legislation.

Sincerely,

James L. Oberstar, M.C.,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for the bill that was introduced by our committee colleague, Doug Lamborn of Colorado. The Leadville Mine Tunnel was supposed to be used for a nearby Federal water project but has ended up becoming a public danger. It has been on the verge of bursting and sending what is presumed to be chemical-laden water toward local homes. The Bureau of Reclamation owns the tunnel and must be responsible for resolving the situation. And that is what this bipartisan bill accomplishes.

The Leadville Mine, addressed in this bill, was used during World War II and the Korean War to supply critical metals to help our Nation. Years ago, our Nation smartly invested in mining our natural resources. Yet today, the mining industry is under attack by some and by many. And the net effect, of course, has been to outsource U.S. jobs to countries that have commonsense environmental regulations and an increase in consumer prices to those here at home. It would be nice if Congress would promote our own mining industry and not destroy it by 1,000 cuts. America does deserve better.

This bill, though, solves a particular problem that is faced in Colorado. It is a bipartisan bill. And I urge its adoption.

Once again, I have no other speakers on this particular bill. Does the gentlelady have any other speakers?

I will yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5511) to direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, Colorado, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 5511 was introduced by our colleague, Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado. The bill, as amended, would direct the Bureau of Reclamation to remedy problems caused by collapses in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. Due to structural deterioration, contaminated water has backed up in the tunnel posing a grave public health and environmental threat.

This bill has received bipartisan support. We have no objection to this noncontroversial bill. And I ask my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no other speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.