Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025

This bill creates a new office inside the EPA to speed up cleanup of pollution from old, inactive hardrock mines. The office will coordinate work across EPA regions, other federal agencies, states, Tribes, local groups, and volunteers; set best practices; support voluntary cleanups; and open more chances for small businesses to help with the work. “Covered mine sites” include land and water where hardrock mining once happened but has stopped, including on Tribal lands.

The EPA must make a yearly priority list of mine sites to clean up and share progress updates. It will improve cleanup processes, research better technologies, and support consultation with Tribal governments. The EPA must also create a 10-year plan to fix uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation by September 30, 2028, and update it every 10 years after that, with clear goals and timelines. The EPA will offer technical help to states, local governments, Tribes, and others. This bill does not add new regulatory powers; it focuses on coordination and support under existing laws .

• Who is affected: People living near abandoned hardrock mines; Tribal communities (including the Navajo Nation); states and local governments; small businesses; nonprofits and watershed groups.
• What changes: A new EPA office to coordinate mine cleanups; an annual priority list; research and best practices; stronger Tribal consultation; more small-business contracting; and a 10-year Navajo Nation uranium cleanup plan with regular updates .
• When: The priority list is annual. The Navajo Nation plan is due by September 30, 2028, and then at least every 10 years.