Many of the country's headwaters that are home to some of the nation's best trout fishing also have abandoned mines. Throughout the past several decades Trout Unlimited and other conservation groups have worked tireless to ensure any waterway left degraded from past mining is restored to its former self. Finally, after years of hard work, the Senate passed some bi-partisan legislation to hold mining companies accountable.

From Trout Unlimited:

Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 with unanimous consent, which would begin to address one of the most pervasive sources of water pollution across the West.

The legislation, spearheaded by U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), boasts a bipartisan group of 40 co-sponsors in the Senate. Good Samaritan legislation has been debated in Congress for more than two decades; this is the first time a bill has cleared a full chamber.

“Passage of the Good Samaritan legislation is the perfect demonstration of the application of common sense to common problems for the common good, and it validates TU’s approach of bridging divides to care for the lands and waters that sustain our great nation,” said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. “We thank Senators Risch and Heinrich for their unwavering commitment to cleaning up historic mine pollution and advancing the work of Good Samaritans across the country.”

Get involved today and take action today!

Sponsors of the bill S. 2781 (U.S.-2023-2024 Regular Session (118th))

Sponsors of the bill H.R. 7779 (U.S.-2023-2024 Regular Session (118th))

Co-sponsors of the bill S. 2781 (U.S.-2023-2024 Regular Session (118th))

Learn more

On mine cleanups, it’s long past time

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About Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited is the nation's leading organization dedicated to conserving and restoring coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Through science-based programs, advocacy, and education, Trout Unlimited works to ensure healthy and sustainable fisheries for future generations.

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