S. 2741 — Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2025

This section establishes the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the EPA office that administers solid waste programs, to be headed by a Director selected by the Administrator. The office's purposes include coordinating EPA cleanup actions (under authorities such as CERCLA and others) at covered mine sites—defined as Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private lands affected by past hardrock mining activities and contiguous water resources, including sites in Indian country (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151)—disseminating best practices such as innovative technologies and waste solutions, facilitating voluntary cleanups and small business contracting opportunities, prioritizing interagency coordination for sites without potentially responsible parties, and supporting related investigations and resource recovery. Through the office, the Administrator must annually identify priority covered mine sites for cleanup (whether or not on the National Priorities List), publish a list, report to specified congressional committees on the identification methodology and cleanup status, and coordinate with EPA Regional Offices and Federal agencies.