Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2024

The Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2024 establishes a new Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the EPA to coordinate cleanup efforts at abandoned hardrock mine sites across the U.S., with special focus on sites on tribal lands like Navajo Nation uranium mines. It requires the EPA to annually prioritize these sites, develop interagency plans for Navajo uranium sites by 2027, and strengthen coordination with tribes, states, and local governments through regular consultations. The bill mandates best practices for cleanup technologies, waste solutions, and technical assistance for states and tribes, while explicitly stating it does not grant new EPA regulatory authority. This directly affects EPA operations, tribal nations (particularly Navajo Nation), and entities managing abandoned mine sites.