SE Wyoming News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have introduced the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at codifying the Trump administration's Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency. This legislation is crucial for Wyoming communities as it will ensure that decisions regarding hardrock mine cleanup in the western regions are made in collaboration with local stakeholders.

Senator Lummis emphasized the importance of region-specific solutions, stating, "In order to preserve Wyoming and the west’s iconic landscapes, we need to abandon the federal government’s one-size-fits-all approach and adopt region-specific solutions to preserve our western way of life." She further expressed her pride in partnering with Senator Kelly to establish the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains to support unique ecosystems in the west.

The Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains, established in 2020, has oversight over hardrock mines located west of the Mississippi River. The Heritage Foundation has voiced its support for the establishment and full setup of this office, with Mandy Gunasekara, Visiting Fellow for the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment at The Heritage Foundation and Former EPA Chief of Staff, commending Senator Lummis for her leadership in addressing legacy pollution responsibly. Gunasekara stated, "Advancing the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains is a step in the right direction whereby EPA is closer to the people they serve and are most impacted by their decisions."

The legislation aims to ensure that the federal government has an office dedicated specifically to the west, focused on fostering partnerships with localities to address environmental concerns.