EPA Reviews Trout Unlimited Plan to Clean Old Mine
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA is reviewing a permit request from Trout Unlimited to clean up the Bodie Mine in Washington. If approved, this project will improve soil and water quality at the site with low risk to the environment. People have until August 17, 2026, to share their thoughts before the EPA makes a final decision.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Liability Protection for Remediation Partners
Under the 2024 Good Samaritan Act (signed December 17, 2024), EPA permits let qualified "Good Samaritans" and "Cooperating Persons" carry out cleanup work while being protected from certain liability risks under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA), if they follow the permit terms. For the Bodie Mine application, EPA preliminarily determined Trout Unlimited qualifies as the Good Samaritan and named Geo-Mineral Exploration Inc. and Strider Construction Inc. as Cooperating Persons.
On-site Cleanup Removes Contaminated Soil
The proposed Bodie Mine project would excavate and remove up to 790 tons of contaminated soil and sediments from a 400-linear-foot reach of Toroda Creek and then rebuild and stabilize the streambank. EPA estimates the work would prevent about 104 tons of tailings from eroding into Toroda Creek each year and reduce pollutants such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, copper, and zinc.
Pilot Program Authorizes Up To 15 Permits
The Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 creates a pilot program that authorizes EPA to issue up to 15 remediation permits to eligible projects nationwide. These permits enable Good Samaritans and Cooperating Persons to perform voluntary cleanups while receiving certain liability protections under CERCLA and the CWA, subject to permit compliance.
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