Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1047
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2011-05-23 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: 2011-05-23
text: 
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2011 - 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 from the tunnel portal. 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. 

Includes within the Tunnel any surface water diverted into it and water collected by the dewatering relief well installed in June 2008. 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.

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 the Tunnel or expansion of the plant as a result of a new or amended Record of Decision for operable unit 6 only upon entering into an agreement with the EPA Administrator or other entity or agency to provide funding for the improvement or expansion.

action_date: 2012-01-13
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2011 - 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 from the tunnel portal. 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. 
 
Includes within the Tunnel any surface water diverted into it and water collected by the dewatering relief well installed in June 2008. 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.

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 the Tunnel or expansion of the plant as a result of a new or amended Record of Decision for operable unit 6 only upon entering into an agreement with the EPA Administrator or other entity or agency to provide funding for the improvement or expansion.
 

action_date: 2012-12-30
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act of 2011 - 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 from the tunnel portal. 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. 
 
Includes within the Tunnel any surface water diverted into it and water collected by the dewatering relief well installed in June 2008. 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.

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 the Tunnel or expansion of the plant as a result of a new or amended Record of Decision for operable unit 6 only upon entering into an agreement with the EPA Administrator or other entity or agency to provide funding for the improvement or expansion.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-31
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2012-12-31
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2012-12-31
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2012-12-30
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8552-8556; text as passed Senate: CR S8553-8554)
action_date: 2012-12-30
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8552-8556; text as passed Senate: CR S8553-8554)
action_date: 2012-01-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 284.
action_date: 2012-01-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 12/17/2011 without amendment. With written report No. 112-122.
action_date: 2012-01-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 12/17/2011 without amendment. With written report No. 112-122.
action_date: 2011-11-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2011-06-23
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-129.
action_date: 2011-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3228)
action_date: 2011-05-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3227-3228)
action_date: 2011-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate