program for water quality of the Animas and San 
Juan Rivers in response to the Gold King Mine spill. 
(2) REQUIREMENT.—The program under para-
graph (1) shall provide— 
(A) full disclosure to the public of applica-
ble water quality and sediment data; and 
(B) a clear and meaningful comparison be-
tween those data and all relevant water quality 
standards. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Administrator should— 
(1) consult with all local communities along the 
Animas and San Juan Rivers affected by the Gold 
King Mine spill, the Navajo Nation, the Southern 
Ute Indian Tribe, and the States of Colorado and 
New Mexico to determine whether it is appropriate 
to seek a designation for the Upper Animas River 
watershed on the National Priorities List under the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensa-
tion, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et 
seq.); and 
(2) prioritize the construction of a water treat-
ment plant in the Upper Animas River basin to sig-
nificantly reduce the ongoing heavy metal discharge 
into the Animas River from Cement Creek. 
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SEC. 6. AMENDMENT TO CERCLA. 
Title I of the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 129. MINING-RELATED PROVISIONS. 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENTS.—The Administrator, the Sec-
retary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Interior, 
in coordination with the Governors of affected States, the 
heads of appropriate research universities, and the heads 
of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, 
shall— 
‘‘(1) not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, review known, existing 
abandoned and inactive mines— 
‘‘(A) to identify the most dangerous aban-
doned and inactive mines on public land and 
private land with respect to the existence of pol-
lution and the potential to release any haz-
ardous substance or other pollutant, particu-
larly with respect to contamination of water; 
and 
‘‘(B) to establish a priority plan for activi-
ties for removal and remediation of the haz-
ardous substances and other pollutants; 
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‘‘(2) periodically thereafter, as appropriate, up-
date the priority plan established under paragraph 
(1)(B) as new information becomes available; and 
‘‘(3) develop a long-term research initiative to 
evaluate the physical, chemical, and geological at-
tributes of closed, abandoned, and inactive mines 
and pursue technological developments to aid in the 
cleanup of such mines. 
‘‘(b) ACTIONS PRIOR TO CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.—Be-
fore conducting any activity at a mine that presents the 
significant potential for accidental discharge of a haz-
ardous substance or other pollutant, the Administrator or 
the head of any other Federal department or agency car-
rying out an activity for mine remediation shall— 
‘‘(1) provide to each tribal, State, and local unit 
of government the resources or residents of which 
may be affected by such a discharge notice regard-
ing the activity; and 
‘‘(2) develop a spill prevention, control, and 
countermeasures plan to avoid and mitigate the im-
pacts of such a discharge.’’. 
SEC. 7. EFFECT OF ACT. 
Nothing in this Act (or an amendment made by this 
Act) provides for compensation of any injured person pur-
suant to this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) 
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from the Hazardous Substances Superfund established by 
section 9507(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
Æ 
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