About the Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains
What We Do
The Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains is a western lands-focused office designed to address cross-cutting legacy mining issues unique to the region. OMDP leads and coordinates oversight responsibilities for legacy hardrock mining cleanup sites west of the Mississippi River; serves as a central contact for other federal agencies, states and tribes with responsibility for or impacted by these sites; and develops innovative technologies and adaptive management approaches to address legacy hardrock mine-related contamination. Additionally, OMDP supports efforts of volunteer entities known as "Good Samaritans" who are helping to improve conditions at abandoned mine sites through a new law passed in December 2024 called the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024.
Created during EPA's 50th anniversary, the Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains aims to improve the Agency's ability to respond to unique needs associated with legacy hardrock mining sites west of the Mississippi and accelerate positive outcomes for communities and the environment.
Focus Areas:
1. Advance abandoned uranium mine cleanups on Navajo and surrounding communities.
2. Coordinate critical mineral recovery efforts at legacy hardrock mine sites.
3. Lead EPA’s Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Program.
4. Advocate for technology to improve revitalization and reuse solutions at legacy hardrock mine sites.
5. Serve as the point of contact for federal agencies, states, Tribes and industry with equities in legacy hardrock mine sites.
Background
Previously dispersed, individual, and/or duplicative EPA resources for legacy hard rock mine site cleanups created consistency challenges in cleanup progress, especially considering the distinct environmental impacts of historical mining operations and unique ecosystems of the American West, where most of these sites are located. Historical methods for mineral extraction and processing often resulted in environmental problems, including acid mine drainage, erosion and sedimentation, chemical releases, fugitive dust, habitat destruction, surface and groundwater contamination and subsidence. Additionally, there are many legacy mine sites for which there are no viable current or former owners or operators, which makes it difficult for these sites to compete with Superfund sites across the country for funding from the annual Superfund appropriation. OMDP’s focus will be to help address these challenges.
Contact the Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains with questions or concerns