Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3404
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2010-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Land use and conservation
Mining
Pollution liability
Water quality
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2010-05-24
text: 
 
 
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2010 - Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to require the Secretary of the Interior to take steps to repair and maintain the structural integrity of the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel in Colorado as necessary to maintain the Tunnel in safe condition and to preclude uncontrolled release of water.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to treat water delivered through the Tunnel, including: (1) surface water diverted into the Tunnel; or (2) water collected by the dewatering relief well installed in June 2008.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) improve and expand the Reclamation Treatment Plant; and (2) develop processes under which the treatment of any water in the Treatment Plant (excluding historical flows through the Tunnel and water collected by the dewatering relief well installed in June 2009) could be made a reimbursable expense.
 
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upon proposing to amend or issue a new Record of Decision for the operable unit 6 remedy for the California Gulch Superfund Site, to consult with the Secretary on each feature of the proposed new or amended Record of Decision that may affect the operation or maintenance of the Tunnel or Treatment Plant.

action_date: 2010-09-27
text: 
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2010 - Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to expand requirements for the operation and maintenance of the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel, Colorado, to require the Secretary of the Interior to take any action necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the Tunnel to maintain public safety and to prevent an uncontrolled release of water. Makes the Secretary responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant, including authorized sludge disposal. Authorizes the Secretary to offer to enter into one or more contracts with any appropriate individual or entity for the conduct of any required service. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary: (1) to enter into an agreement with any other entity or government agency to provide funding for an increase in any operation, maintenance, replacement, capital improvement, or expansion cost that is necessary to improve or expand the Treatment Plant; and (2) upon entering into an agreement, to make any necessary capital improvement to or expansion of the water treatment plant and to treat flows that are conveyed to the Plant, including any surface water diverted into the Tunnel and water collected by the dewatering relief well installed in June 2008.
 
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consult with the Secretary regarding each feature of the proposed new or amended Record of Decision for operable unit 6 of the California Gulch National Priorities List Site that may require any alteration to, or otherwise affect the operation and maintenance of, the Tunnel or the water treatment plant.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to implement any improvement to, or new operation of, the Tunnel or water treatment plant only upon entering into an agreement with the EPA Administrator or other entity or agency to provide funding for the improvement or new operation.
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 606.
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-320.
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 111-320.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2010-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-707.
action_date: 2010-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate