Good Samaritan Cleanup of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2970
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Tipton, Scott  R. [R-CO-3]
Introduced: 2013-08-01
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Licensing and registrations

Mining

Pollution liability

Water quality
Latest action: action_date: 2013-08-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-08-01
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Good Samaritan Cleanup of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2013 - Encourages the partial or complete remediation of inactive and abandoned mine sites for the public good by good samaritans (defined as individuals or entities who had no role in the creation of the historic mine residue or any resulting environmental pollution and are not legally responsible for the remediation of the historic mine residue). Defines &quot;inactive or abandoned mine site&quot; as a mine site located in the United States that is no longer actively mined and that was used for the production of a mineral other than coal and has historic mine residue.</p> <p>Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize a permitting authority (i.e., the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] or a state or Indian tribe with an approved good samaritan program) to issue good samaritan discharge permits. Sets forth requirements for the issuance of such permits, including the applicant's submission of a detailed remediation plan and a determination by a permitting authority that such plan preserves water quality. Grants a release from liability under such Act to good samaritans who comply with a discharge permit approved under the terms of this Act. </p> <p>Terminates the authority to issue good samaritan discharge permits ten years after enactment of this Act. </p>

tv_txt: I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2970 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 1, 2013 Mr. Tipton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To facilitate the remediation of abandoned hardrock mines, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Good Samaritan Cleanup of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2013 . 2. Findings; purposes (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Federal Government and State governments have encouraged hardrock mining in the United States through a wide variety of laws, policies, and actions; (2) mining operations produce metals and minerals that have important social benefits and values; (3) many areas in the United States at which historic mining operations took place are now the locations of inactive and abandoned mine sites; (4) the mining activities that took place prior to the enactment of modern environmental laws often disturbed public and private land, and those disturbances led to environmental pollution, including the discharge of pollutants into surface water and groundwater; (5) many of the individuals and corporate owners and operators of mines the actions of which caused the pollution described in paragraph (4) are no longer alive or in existence; (6) many of the historic mining sites have polluted the environment for more than a century and, unless remedied, will continue to do so indefinitely; (7) unabated discharges from inactive and abandoned mines will continue to pollute surface water, groundwater, and soils; (8) many of the streams and water bodies impacted by acid mine drainage are important resources for fish and wildlife, recreation, drinking water, agriculture, and other public purposes; (9) some of the remaining owners and operators of historic mine sites do not have adequate resources to properly conduct the remediation of the mine sites under applicable environmental laws; (10) from time to time, States, individuals, and companies are willing to remediate historic mine sites for the public good as Good Samaritans, despite the fact that those States, individuals, and companies are not legally required to do so; (11) Good Samaritan remediation activities may— (A) vary in size and complexity; (B) reflect a myriad of methods by which mine residue may be cleaned up; and (C) include, among other activities— (i) the removal, relocation, or management of tailings or other waste piles; (ii) passive or active water treatment; and (iii) runoff or runon controls; (12) the potential obligations, requirements, and liabilities under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. ) that may attach to Good Samaritans as the result of the conduct by the Good Samaritans of remediation activities can dissuade potential Good Samaritans from acting for the public good; (13) it is in the interest of the United States, the States, and local communities to remediate historic mine sites— (A) in appropriate circumstances and to the maximum extent practicable; and (B) so that the detrimental environmental impacts of the historic mine sites are lessened in the future; and (14) if appropriate protections are provided to Good Samaritans, Good Samaritans will have a greater incentive to remediate historic mine sites for the public good. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to encourage the partial or complete remediation of inactive and abandoned mine sites for the public good by individuals or entities that are not legally responsible for the remediation; (2) to allow any individual or entity not legally responsible for environmental conditions relating to an inactive or abandoned mine site— (A) to make further progress toward the goal of meeting water quality standards in all water of the United States; and (B) to improve other environmental media affected by past mining activities at the inactive or abandoned mine site without incurring any obligation or liability with respect to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. ); (3) to ensure that remediation activities performed by Good Samaritans— (A) result in actual and significant environmental benefits; and (B) are carried out— (i) with the approval and agreement, and at the discretion, of affected Federal, State, and tribal authorities; (ii) in a manner that enables the public to conduct a review of, and submit comments relating to, the remediation activities; and (iii) in a manner that is beneficial to the environment and each community affected by the remediation activities; and (4) to further the innovations of, and cooperation among, the Federal Government, State and tribal governments, private individuals, and corporations to accelerate efforts relating to conservation and environmental restoration. 3. Scope Nothing in this Act (or an amendment made by this Act)— (1) reduces any existing liability; or (2) facilitates the conduct of any mining or processing other than the conduct of any mining or processing that is required for the remediation of historic mine residue for the public good. 4. Good samaritan discharge permits Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (s) Good samaritan discharge permits (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Cooperating person (i) In general The term cooperating person means any person that— (I) is a Good Samaritan; (II) assists a permittee in the remediation of an inactive or abandoned mine site; and (III) is identified in a Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under paragraph (2). (ii) Inclusion The term cooperating person includes the Federal Government. (B) Eligible applicant The term eligible applicant means a person that— (i) is a Good Samaritan; and (ii) proposes a project, the purpose of which is to remediate, in whole or in part, actual or threatened pollution caused by historic mine residue at an inactive or abandoned mine site. (C) Good Samaritan The term Good Samaritan means a person that, with respect to historic mine residue at an inactive or abandoned mine site— (i) had no role in the creation of the historic mine residue; (ii) had no role in creating any environmental pollution caused by the historic mine residue; and (iii) is not liable under any Federal, State, tribal, or local law for the remediation of the historic mine residue. (D) Historic mine residue (i) In general The term historic mine residue means mine residue or any condition resulting from activities at an inactive or abandoned mine site prior to October 18, 1972, that— (I) causes or contributes to the actual or threatened discharge of pollutants from the inactive or abandoned mine site; or (II) otherwise pollutes the environment. (ii) Inclusions The term historic mine residue includes— (I) ores and minerals that— (aa) were mined during the active operation of an inactive or abandoned mine site; and (bb) contribute to acid mine drainage or other environmental pollution; (II) equipment (including materials in equipment); (III) any waste or material resulting from any extraction, ben­e­fi­ci­a­tion, or other processing activity that occurred during the active operation of an inactive or abandoned mine site; and (IV) any acidic or otherwise polluted flow in surface water or groundwater that originates from an inactive or abandoned mine site. (E) Identifiable owner or operator The term identifiable owner or operator means a person that is— (i) legally responsible under section 301 for a discharge that originates from an inactive or abandoned mine site; and (ii) financially capable of complying with each requirement described in this section and section 301. (F) Inactive or abandoned mine site (i) In general The term inactive or abandoned mine site means a mine site (including associated facilities) that— (I) is located in the United States; (II) was used for the production of a mineral other than coal; (III) has historic mine residue; and (IV) is no longer actively mined on the date on which an eligible applicant submits to a permitting authority a remediation plan relating to an application for a Good Samaritan discharge permit under paragraph (3)(B) for the remediation of the mine site. (ii) Exclusions The term inactive or abandoned mine site does not include a mine site (including associated facilities) that is— (I) in a temporary shutdown; (II) included on the National Priorities List developed by the President in accordance with section 105(a)(8)(B) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ( 42 U.S.C. 9605(a)(8)(B) ); or (III) the subject of an ongoing or planned remedial action carried out in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.). (G) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). (H) Permittee The term permittee means a person that is issued a Good Samaritan discharge permit under this subsection. (I) Permitting authority (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the term permitting authority means the Administrator. (ii) Exception In the case of a State or Indian tribe with an approved permitting program under paragraph (2)(B), the term permitting authority means the head of the permitting program of the State or Indian tribe. (J) Person The term person includes— (i) an individual; (ii) a firm; (iii) a corporation; (iv) an association; (v) a partnership; (vi) a consortium; (vii) a joint venture; (viii) a commercial entity; (ix) a nonprofit organization; (x) the Federal Government; (xi) a State (including a political subdivision of a State); (xii) an interstate entity; (xiii) a commission; and (xiv) an Indian tribe. (2) Good Samaritan discharge permits (A) In general A permitting authority may issue a Good Samaritan discharge permit to an eligible applicant in concurrence, if applicable, with— (i) the State in which the proposed inactive or abandoned mine site remediation project is located; or (ii) the Federal agency or Indian tribe that owns or has jurisdiction over the site at which the proposed inactive or abandoned mine site remediation project is located. (B) State or tribal programs The Administrator shall approve a State or tribal program for the issuance of Good Samaritan discharge permits if— (i) the State or Indian tribe has, as of the date of enactment of this subsection, authority to issue a permit under subsection (b); and (ii) the State or Indian tribe requests such authority. (3) Permit process (A) Scope An eligible applicant may apply for a Good Samaritan discharge permit to conduct remediation activities at any inactive or abandoned mine site from which there is, or may be, a discharge or a threatened discharge of pollutants into any water of the United States. (B) Remediation plan To apply for a Good Samaritan discharge permit under subparagraph (A), an eligible applicant shall submit to the permitting authority an application that contains a remediation plan that, to the extent known by the eligible applicant as of the date on which the application is submitted, contains— (i) an identification of— (I) the eligible applicant (including any cooperating person) with respect to the remediation plan; (II) the mine site that is the subject of the remediation plan (including such documentation as the permitting authority determines to be sufficient to demonstrate to the permitting authority that the mine site is an inactive or abandoned mine site); and (III) each body of water of the United States that is affected by actual or threatened discharges from the inactive or abandoned mine site; (ii) a description of— (I) the baseline conditions of each body of water described in clause (i)(III) as of the date on which the eligible applicant submits the application, including— (aa) the nature and extent of any adverse impact on the quality of each body of water caused by the drainage of historic mine residue or other discharges from the inactive or abandoned mine site; and (bb) as applicable, the level of any pollutant in each body of water that has resulted in an adverse impact described in item (aa); (II) the conditions of the inactive or abandoned mine site that cause adverse impacts to the quality of each body of water described in clause (i)(III); (III) the reasonable efforts taken by the eligible applicant to identify identifiable owners or operators of the inactive or abandoned mine site that is the subject of the application; (IV) each remediation goal and objective proposed by the eligible applicant, including— (aa) each pollutant to be addressed by the remediation plan; and (bb) each action that the eligible applicant proposes to take that, to the maximum extent reasonable and practicable under the circumstances, will assist in the attainment of each applicable water quality standard; (V) the practices (including a schedule and estimated completion date for the implementation of each practice) that are proposed by the eligible applicant to meet each remediation goal and objective described in subclause (IV), including— (aa) in the case of a new remediation project, the preliminary system design and construction, operation, and maintenance plans relating to the new remediation project; and (bb) in the case of an existing remediation project, available system design and construction, operation, and maintenance plans and any planned improvements with respect to the existing remediation project; (VI) any proposed recycling or reprocessing of historic mine residue to be conducted by the eligible applicant (including a description of how each proposed recycling or reprocessing activity relates to the remediation of an inactive or abandoned mine site); (VII) the monitoring or other forms of assessment that will be undertaken by the eligible applicant to evaluate the success of the practices described in subclause (V) during and after the implementation of the remediation plan, with respect to the baseline conditions; (VIII) each contingency plan that is designed for responding to unplanned adverse events (including the practices to be implemented to achieve each remediation goal and objective described in subclause (IV)); (IX) the legal authority of the eligible applicant to enter, and conduct activities at, the inactive or abandoned mine site that is the subject of the remediation plan; and (X) any public outreach activity to be conducted by the eligible applicant; (iii) an explanation of the manner by which the practices described in clause (ii)(V) are expected to achieve each remediation goal and objective described in clause (ii)(IV); (iv) a schedule for the periodic reporting by the eligible applicant with respect to any progress in implementing the remediation plan; (v) a budget for the remediation plan that includes a description of each funding source that will support the implementation of the remediation plan, including— (I) each practice described in clause (ii)(VIII); (II) each action described in clause (ii)(IV)(bb); and (III) each monitoring or other appropriate activity described in clause (ii)(VII); and (vi) any other additional information requested by the Administrator to clarify the remediation plan and each proposed activity covered by the remediation plan. (C) Certification of plan An application for a Good Samaritan discharge permit submitted by an eligible applicant to a permitting authority under subparagraph (B) shall be signed and certified in a manner consistent with section 122.22 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations. (D) Investigative measures (i) In general A Good Samaritan discharge permit may include a program of investigative measures to be completed prior to the remediation of the inactive or abandoned mine site that is the subject of the permit if the permitting authority, upon the receipt of the application of an eligible applicant for a Good Samaritan discharge permit, determines the program of investigative measures to be appropriate. (ii) Program requirements Any water sampling included in the program of investigative measures described in clause (i) shall be conducted by an eligible applicant in accordance with any applicable method described in part 136 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations. (iii) Requirements relating to samples In conducting a program of investigative measures described in clause (i), an eligible applicant shall— (I) ensure that each sample collected under the program is representative of the conditions present at the inactive or abandoned mine site that is the subject of the program; and (II) retain records of all sampling events for a period of not less than 3 years. (iv) Initial plan (I) In general If an eligible applicant proposes to conduct a program of investigative measures, the eligible applicant shall submit to the permitting authority a plan that contains, to the extent known by the eligible applicant as of the date on which the eligible applicant submits the application— (aa) each description required under subclauses (I), (II), and (IV) through (VIII) of subparagraph (B)(ii); (bb) the explanation required under subparagraph (B)(iii); (cc) the schedule required under subparagraph (B)(iv); and (dd) the budget required under subparagraph (B)(v). (II) Responsibility to supplement descriptions An eligible applicant that conducts a program of investigative measures shall, based on the results of the program, supplement each item described in subclause (I), as necessary. (v) Report of results The results of the program of investigative measures shall be— (I) detailed in a report for the permitting agency; and (II) made available by the applicant to any member of the public that requests the report. (vi) Permit modification Based upon the results of the investigative measures, a Good Samaritan discharge permit may be modified pursuant to the permit procedures described in this subsection. (vii) Option to decline remediation A Good Samaritan discharge permit may allow the permittee to decline to undertake remediation based on the results of the investigative sampling program, if— (I) the program of investigative measures is authorized under this subparagraph; and (II) the activities under the program of investigative measures have not resulted in surface water quality conditions, taken as a whole, that are worse than the baseline condition of bodies of water described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I). (E) Review of application (i) Initial review The permitting authority shall— (I) review each application submitted by an eligible applicant for a Good Samaritan discharge permit; (II) provide to the public, with respect to the Good Samaritan discharge permit— (aa) notice and a reasonable opportunity to comment; and (bb) a public hearing; (III) if the Administrator is the permitting authority, provide a copy of the application to each affected State, Indian tribe, and other Federal agency; and (IV) determine whether the application for the Good Samaritan discharge permit meets each requirement described in subparagraph (B). (ii) Requirements not met If the permitting authority determines that an application for a Good Samaritan discharge permit does not meet each requirement described in subparagraph (B), the permitting authority shall— (I) notify the eligible applicant that the application is disapproved and explain the reasons for the disapproval; and (II) allow the eligible applicant to submit a revised application. (iii) Requirements met If the permitting authority determines that an application for a Good Samaritan discharge permit meets each requirement described in subparagraph (B), the permitting authority shall notify the eligible applicant that the application is accepted. (F) Permit issuance After notice and opportunity for public comment with respect to a Good Samaritan discharge permit proposed by a permitting authority to be issued under this subsection (including any additional requirement that the permitting authority determines would facilitate the implementation of this subsection), the permitting authority may issue a permit to an eligible applicant if— (i) the permitting authority determines that— (I) relative to the resources identified by the eligible applicant for funding the proposed remediation activity, the eligible applicant has made a reasonable effort to identify identifiable owners or operators under subparagraph (B)(ii)(III); (II) no identifiable owner or operator exists (except, with respect to Federal land, where the only identifiable owner or operator is the Federal Government); (III) taking into consideration each funding source (including the amount of each funding source) identified by the eligible applicant for the proposed remediation activity in accordance with subparagraph (B)(v), the remediation plan of the eligible applicant demonstrates that the implementation of the remediation plan will— (aa) assist in the attainment of applicable water quality standards to the extent reasonable and practicable under the circumstances; and (bb) not result in water quality that is worse than the baseline water condition described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I); (IV) the eligible applicant has provided adequate evidence of financial resources that will enable the eligible applicant to complete the proposed project of the eligible applicant; and (V) the proposed project of the eligible applicant meets the requirements of this section; (ii) any Federal, State, or tribal land management agency with jurisdiction over any inactive or abandoned mine site that is the subject of the proposed permit, or any public trustee for natural resources affected by historic mine residue associated with any inactive or abandoned mine site that is the subject of the proposed permit, does not object to the issuance of the permit; and (iii) if the Administrator is the permitting authority, the affected State or Indian tribe concurs with the issuance of the permit. (G) Deadline relating to approval or denial of application Not later than 180 days after the date of receipt by a permitting authority of an application for a Good Samaritan discharge permit that the permitting authority determines to be complete, the permitting authority shall— (i) issue to the eligible applicant a Good Samaritan discharge permit; or (ii) deny the application of the eligible applicant for a Good Samaritan discharge permit. (H) Modification of permit (i) Approval and disapproval process In accordance with clause (ii), after the date of receipt by a permitting authority of a written request by a permittee to modify the Good Samaritan discharge permit of the permittee, the permitting authority shall approve or disapprove the request for modification. (ii) Permit modification A permit modification that is approved by a permitting authority under this subparagraph shall be— (I) by agreement between the permittee and the permitting authority and, if the Administrator is the permitting authority, the affected State or Indian tribe; (II) subject to— (aa) a period of public notice and comment; and (bb) a public hearing; (III) in compliance with each standard described in subparagraph (F)(i)(III); and (IV) immediately reflected in, and applicable to, the Good Samaritan discharge permit. (4) Contents of permits (A) In general A Good Samaritan discharge permit shall— (i) contain— (I) a remediation plan approved by the permitting authority; and (II) any additional requirement that the permitting authority establishes by regulation under paragraph (10); and (ii) provide for compliance with, and implementation of, the remediation plan and any additional requirement described in clause (i)(II). (B) Scope A Good Samaritan discharge permit shall authorize only those activities that are required for the remediation of historic mine residue at an inactive or abandoned mine site, as determined by the permitting authority. (C) Review A Good Samaritan discharge permit shall contain a schedule for review, to be conducted by the permitting authority, to determine compliance by the permittee with each condition and limitation of the permit. (5) Effect of permit compliance (A) Compliance with Act (i) In general A Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection shall authorize the permittee, and any cooperating persons, to carry out each activity described in the Good Samaritan discharge permit. (ii) Compliance with permit Compliance by the permittee, and any cooperating persons, with respect to the Good Samaritan discharge permit shall constitute compliance with this Act. (B) Scope of liability Except as provided in paragraph (6), the issuance of a Good Samaritan discharge permit to a permittee relieves the permittee, and any cooperating person, of each obligation and liability under this Act. (6) Failure to comply If a permittee, or any cooperating person fails to comply with any condition or limitation of the permit, the permittee, or cooperating person, shall be subject to liability only under section 309. (7) Termination of permit (A) In general A permitting authority shall terminate a Good Samaritan discharge permit if— (i) the permittee successfully completes the implementation of the remediation plan; or (ii) (I) any discharge covered by the Good Samaritan discharge permit becomes subject to a permit issued for other development that is not part of the implementation of the remediation plan; (II) the permittee seeking termination of coverage, and any cooperating person with respect to the remediation plan of the permittee, is not a participant in the development; and (III) the permitting authority, upon request of the permittee, agrees that the permit should be terminated. (B) Unforseen circumstances (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the permitting authority, in cooperation with the permittee, shall seek to modify a Good Samaritan discharge permit to take into account any event or condition encountered by the permittee if the event or condition encountered by the permittee— (I) significantly reduces the feasibility, or significantly increases the cost, of completing the remediation project that is the subject of the Good Samaritan discharge permit; (II) was not— (aa) contemplated by the permittee; or (bb) taken into account in the remediation plan of the permittee; and (III) is beyond the control of the permittee, as determined by the permitting authority. (ii) Exception If a permittee described in clause (i) does not agree to a modification of the Good Samaritan discharge permit of the permittee, or the permitting authority determines that remediation activities conducted by the permittee pursuant to the permit have resulted or will result in surface water quality conditions that, taken as a whole, are or will be worse than the baseline water conditions described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii)(I), the permitting authority shall terminate the permit. (C) No enforcement liability (i) Discharges Subject to clause (ii), and except as provided in clause (iii), the permittee of a permit, or a cooperating person with respect to the remediation plan of the permittee, shall not be subject to enforcement under any provision of this Act for liability for any past, present, or future discharges at or from the abandoned or inactive mining site that is the subject of the permit. (ii) Other parties Clause (i) does not limit the liability of any person that is not described in clause (i). (iii) Violation of permit prior to termination The discharge of liability for a permittee of a permit, or a cooperating person with respect to the remediation plan of the permittee, under clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any violation of the permit that occurs before the date on which the permit is terminated. (8) Limitations (A) Emergency powers Nothing in this subsection limits the authority of the Administrator to exercise any emergency power under section 504 with respect to persons other than a permittee and any cooperating persons. (B) Prior violations (i) Actions and relief Except as provided in clause (ii), with respect to a violation of this subsection or section 301(a) committed by any person prior to the issuance of a Good Samaritan discharge permit under this subsection, the issuance of the Good Samaritan discharge permit does not preclude any enforcement action under section 309. (ii) Exceptions (I) Scope of permit If a Good Samaritan discharge permit covers remediation activities carried out by the permittee on a date before the issuance of the Good Samaritan discharge permit, clause (i) shall not apply to any action that is based on any condition that results from the remediation activities. (II) Other parties A permittee shall not be subject to any action under sections 309 or 505 for any violation committed by any other party. (C) Obligations of States and indian tribes Except as otherwise provided in this section, nothing in this subsection limits any obligation of a State or Indian tribe described in section 303. (D) Other development (i) In general Any development of an inactive or abandoned mine site (including any activity relating to mineral exploration, processing, beneficiation, or mining), including development by a permittee or any cooperating person, not authorized in a permit issued by the permitting authority under this subsection shall be subject to this Act. (ii) Commingling of discharges The commingling of any other discharge or water with any discharge or water subject to a Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection shall not limit or reduce the liability of any person associated with the water or discharge that is not subject to the Good Samaritan discharge permit. (E) Recoverable value A Good Samaritan to whom a permit is issued may sell or use materials recovered during the implementation of the plan only if the proceeds of any such sale are used to defray the costs of— (i) remediation of the site addressed in the permit; or (ii) voluntary remediation of any other inactive or abandoned mine site covered by a permit issued under this section. (F) State certification (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), to the extent that this subsection relates to water quality standards, certification under section 401 shall not apply to any Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection. (ii) Exception In any case in which certification under section 401 would otherwise be required, no Good Samaritan discharge permit shall be issued by a permitting authority under this subsection without the concurrence of— (I) the State in which the site of the discharge is located; or (II) the Indian tribe that owns or has jurisdiction over the site on which a remediation project is proposed. (G) State and tribal reclamation programs No State, Indian tribe, or other person shall be required to obtain a Good Samaritan discharge permit pursuant to this subsection for any discharge, including any discharge associated with the remediation of an inactive or abandoned mine site with respect to the conduct of reclamation work under a State or tribal abandoned mine reclamation plan approved under title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 ( 30 U.S.C. 1231 et seq. ). (9) Liability of other parties Nothing in this subsection (including any result caused by any action taken by a permittee or a cooperating person) limits the liability of any person other than a permittee or a cooperating person under this Act or any other law. (10) Regulations (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, after providing for public notice and an opportunity to comment and a public hearing, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and appropriate State, tribal, and local officials, shall promulgate regulations to establish— (i) generally applicable requirements for remediation plans described in paragraph (3)(B); and (ii) any other requirement that the Administrator determines to be necessary. (B) Specific requirements before promulgation of regulations Before the date on which the Administrator promulgates regulations under subparagraph (A), a permitting authority may establish, on a case-by-case basis, specific requirements that the permitting authority determines would facilitate the implementation of this subsection with respect to a Good Samaritan discharge permit issued to a permittee. (11) Funding (A) Eligibility for Section 319 grants A permittee shall be eligible to apply for a grant under section 319(h). (B) Grants Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the Administrator may award to any permittee a grant to assist the permittee in implementing a remediation plan with respect to a Good Samaritan discharge permit of the permittee. (12) Report to Congress (A) In general Not later than 1 year before the date of termination of the authority of the permitting authority under paragraph (13), the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing the activities authorized by this subsection. (B) Contents The report required under subparagraph (A) shall contain, at a minimum— (i) a description of— (I) each Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection; (II) each permittee; (III) each inactive or abandoned mine site addressed by a Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection (including each body of water and the baseline water quality of each body of water affected by each inactive or abandoned mine site); (IV) the status of the implementation of each remediation plan associated with each Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection (including specific progress that each remediation activity conducted by a permittee pursuant to each Good Samaritan discharge permit has made toward achieving the goals and objectives of the remediation plan); and (V) each enforcement action taken by the Administrator or applicable State or Indian tribe concerning a Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection (including the disposition of the action); (ii) a summary of each remediation plan associated with a Good Samaritan discharge permit issued under this subsection, including— (I) the goals and objectives of the remediation plan; (II) the budget of the activities conducted pursuant to the remediation plan; and (III) the practices to be employed by each permittee in accordance with the remediation plan of the permittee to reduce, control, mitigate, or eliminate adverse impacts to the quality of applicable bodies of water; and (iii) any recommendations that may be proposed by the Administrator to modify any law (including this subsection and any regulation promulgated under paragraph (10)) to facilitate the improvement of water quality through the remediation of inactive or abandoned mine sites. (13) Termination of authority The authority granted to the permitting authority under this subsection to issue Good Samaritan discharge permits terminates on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this subsection. (14) Severability If any provision of this subsection, or the application of any provision of this subsection to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, and the remainder of this subsection, shall not be affected thereby. .