Community Reclamation Partnerships Act

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Thompson and the ranking member for helping to bring this bill, in a bipartisan way, to the floor. I appreciate your support on H.R. 2937.

This legislation will help address the complex legal and funding- related challenges for abandoned mine lands across the Nation.

The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to enable States to partner with nongovernmental entities to reclaim abandoned mine sites and facilitate acid mine drainage cleanup across the country.

Nongovernmental entities, like Trout Unlimited, have recognized the need for reclamation in coal communities and are willing to contribute their resources and expertise to address the problem. Unfortunately, liability and regulatory concerns have discouraged them from participating and partnering with the States on reclamation projects. This legislation enables nongovernmental entities' participation in State reclamation programs by minimizing undeserved liability and codifying proven practices established by the State reclamation agencies.

This legislation also addresses a frequent problem that States experience in addressing water pollution at abandoned mine land sites. States must choose between risking noncompliance under the Clean Water Act or foregoing acid mine drainage abatement projects altogether. Some States, like Pennsylvania, have successfully addressed this problem by establishing their own guidelines for the treatment of water pollution at abandoned mine land sites. These State-specific strategies have resulted in successful water treatment projects and a significant reduction in acid mine drainage in several States. We want to replicate that across the country with this legislation.

Currently, State reclamation activities have been funded solely by fees levied on the coal industry over the past four decades. These fees have resulted in reclamation of approximately $4 billion of abandoned mine land liabilities. However, according to the Department of the Interior, the estimated remediation costs exceeds $10 billion across the country.

The outstanding abandoned mine land liabilities in Illinois, my home State, is $156 million; and in my district, the 18th Congressional District, it is $17 million. The cost of reclaiming these sites will continue to strain State resources in the coming decades, and the conditions of these sites will only worsen over time.

In short, this bill empowers State and local community leaders who want to assist in abandoned mine cleanup efforts so that future development can occur in these areas. No group should be punished for wanting to help out their local community in a responsible way.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2937 brings more resources to bear on this considerable challenge, and I urge adoption of this bipartisan measure.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2937) to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to authorize partnerships between States and nongovernmental entities for the purpose of reclaiming and restoring land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining activities before August 3, 1977, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5

legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I thank leadership for allowing H.R. 2937 to come to the floor. This legislation, introduced by my friend from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), will help address the challenge of abandoned coal mines present in many affected communities across the Nation.

The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act enables States to partner with Good Samaritan entities to reclaim abandoned mine sites and facilitate acid mine drainage cleanup. H.R. 2937 creates more opportunities to address this challenge.

Mr. Speaker, representing the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, just to note, my congressional district has more abandoned mine sites than any congressional district in the country, so I am very grateful for the leadership that Mr. LaHood has shown in bringing H.R. 2937 forward.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Mr. Speaker, I would just ask my colleagues to support this piece of legislation. I am very appreciative to the author of this bill for his leadership. Having a congressional district that has significant presence of abandoned mine lands, I know that the authorities and the protections he is seeking here will be good for all, for the communities, for the environment, and for the economy.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2937, introduced by Representative LaHood, is a step forward for communities looking to address abandoned coal mines in their backyards by partnering with Good Samaritans seeking to help.

The Commonwealth of Virginia, my home State, estimates that it will need over $400 million to clean up all of its remaining abandoned coal mines and, while this bill is no substitute for a long-term reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land fund, every little bit helps.

Each project funded by a Good Samaritan through this bill will help one more community make their economy stronger and their environment healthier.

A hearing on a discussion draft of this bill brought a number of problematic issues to light, but I greatly appreciate the willingness of the bill's sponsor and the majority staff of the Natural Resources Committee to reach across the aisle and work with us on a bipartisan agreement that was able to achieve unanimous consent in the Natural Resources Committee.

I thank the sponsor for his diligent and collaborative work on this bill, and I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 2937.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.