House Passes Bill Requiring PE Seal on Reclamation Plans

NSPE secured a major provision in a mine reclamation bill (H.R. 2937) that requires the seal of a PE on engineering plans. The Community Reclamation Partnerships Act, passed by the House of Representatives in October, eases state and community efforts to clean up areas affected by abandoned mines. The bill requires all project submissions to the Secretary of the Interior to include a description of the proposed project and also would set up a process for nongovernmental organizations to help restore abandoned mine sites and surrounding areas. With the passage of the bill, focus now shifts to the introduction and passage of a Senate bill. NSPE will provide updates as they become available.