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EPA ApprovestheFirstEverGood SamaritanProgram PermitforClean UpattheBodie Mine SiteEPA iscommittedtoeffectivelyacceleratingmining site cleanups across the western United StatesSeptember 9, 2025Contact InformationEPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first ever Good Samaritan remediation permit for Trout Unlimited Inc. to address contamination at the Bodie Mine site in Wauconda Mining District, Okanogan County, Washington.
This is the first of 15 pilot projects under a new program to remediate contamination at abandoned hardrock mines under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024.
These projects can better protect human health, improve ecological conditions for fish and other wildlife, and support local economies.
Work under the permit for Bodie mine will reduce the release of mine-related contaminants and environmental hazards associated with abandoned mine tailings from entering nearby Toroda Creek, which flows adjacent to the Bodie Mine site.“The Trump EPA is committed to using creative solutions to improve human health and revitalize communities across America.
EPA’s Good Samaritan Program is cutting the red tape, allowing for streamlined cleanups at long abandoned mining sites, restoring watershed quality, and facilitating better coordination with local, state, and Tribal partners,”said Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Tom Croci.“This first ever Good Samaritan Permit is EPA’s new program to establish cleanup projects controlled by local stakeholders who are in the best position to understand the needs oftheir own communities.”“Hardrock Abandoned mines are a scourge on the landscape.
No-one is required to clean them up, so every day they release their toxic brew of zinc, cadmium, lead, and arsenic into our drinking water and trout streams.
Bully for the EPA recognizing that fact and authorizing the first abandoned mine clean up under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024,”said President and CEO of Trout Unlimited Chris Wood. “May their efforts lead many more states and communities, non-profits, and yes, even mining companies, to lend a hand and make our waters more fishable and swimmable for our kids.”Thecleanupworkunder this permitwilladdressthe exposedmill tailingsfromeroding into the creek,to preventcontaminationdownstream.The streambank willthenbe rebuilt andreinforcedto prevent future erosion.
Native plants will beinstalledto restore the naturalhabitatand armor the streambank.
Completion ofthis workwillhelpprevent streambank erosion; improveecological conditions, soiland sediment quality; andprotecthuman health and the environment.
BackgroundTheGood Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock MinesActwas passed by Congress inDecember2024with bi-partisan support.
Theactestablishes a pilot programforthe U.S. EPA toprovideup to 15 Good Samaritan permits for low-risk projects designed to remediate abandoned hardrock mine sites.TheEPA has 7 years toimplementthe pilot program and having the first permitissuedin the first two yearsshows that EPA can move quickly and is motivated to make this program a success.
Applicant interest in the program is rising and EPA plans to have all 15 permits granted and implementingthecleanups in the field over the next 2 to 3 years.EPA’s pilot programencourages qualified “Good Samaritans” to voluntarily clean up abandoned hardrock mine sites by allowing them to obtain investigative or remediation permits.
These permits enable Good Samaritans to carry out remediation activities while being protected from certain liability risks.To learn more about EPA’sGood SamaritanProgram, please go to the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Program page.
EPA ApprovestheFirstEverGood SamaritanProgram PermitforClean UpattheBodie Mine SiteEPA iscommittedtoeffectivelyacceleratingmining site cleanups across the western United StatesSeptember 9, 2025Contact InformationEPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first ever Good Samaritan remediation permit for Trout Unlimited Inc. to address contamination at the Bodie Mine site in Wauconda Mining District, Okanogan County, Washington.
This is the first of 15 pilot projects under a new program to remediate contamination at abandoned hardrock mines under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024.
These projects can better protect human health, improve ecological conditions for fish and other wildlife, and support local economies.
Work under the permit for Bodie mine will reduce the release of mine-related contaminants and environmental hazards associated with abandoned mine tailings from entering nearby Toroda Creek, which flows adjacent to the Bodie Mine site.“The Trump EPA is committed to using creative solutions to improve human health and revitalize communities across America.
EPA’s Good Samaritan Program is cutting the red tape, allowing for streamlined cleanups at long abandoned mining sites, restoring watershed quality, and facilitating better coordination with local, state, and Tribal partners,”said Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Tom Croci.“This first ever Good Samaritan Permit is EPA’s new program to establish cleanup projects controlled by local stakeholders who are in the best position to understand the needs oftheir own communities.”“Hardrock Abandoned mines are a scourge on the landscape.
No-one is required to clean them up, so every day they release their toxic brew of zinc, cadmium, lead, and arsenic into our drinking water and trout streams.
Bully for the EPA recognizing that fact and authorizing the first abandoned mine clean up under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024,”said President and CEO of Trout Unlimited Chris Wood. “May their efforts lead many more states and communities, non-profits, and yes, even mining companies, to lend a hand and make our waters more fishable and swimmable for our kids.”Thecleanupworkunder this permitwilladdressthe exposedmill tailingsfromeroding into the creek,to preventcontaminationdownstream.The streambank willthenbe rebuilt andreinforcedto prevent future erosion.
Native plants will beinstalledto restore the naturalhabitatand armor the streambank.
Completion ofthis workwillhelpprevent streambank erosion; improveecological conditions, soiland sediment quality; andprotecthuman health and the environment.
BackgroundTheGood Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock MinesActwas passed by Congress inDecember2024with bi-partisan support.
Theactestablishes a pilot programforthe U.S. EPA toprovideup to 15 Good Samaritan permits for low-risk projects designed to remediate abandoned hardrock mine sites.TheEPA has 7 years toimplementthe pilot program and having the first permitissuedin the first two yearsshows that EPA can move quickly and is motivated to make this program a success.
Applicant interest in the program is rising and EPA plans to have all 15 permits granted and implementingthecleanups in the field over the next 2 to 3 years.EPA’s pilot programencourages qualified “Good Samaritans” to voluntarily clean up abandoned hardrock mine sites by allowing them to obtain investigative or remediation permits.
These permits enable Good Samaritans to carry out remediation activities while being protected from certain liability risks.To learn more about EPA’sGood SamaritanProgram, please go to the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Program page.
September 9, 2025
Contact Information
EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first ever Good Samaritan remediation permit for Trout Unlimited Inc. to address contamination at the Bodie Mine site in Wauconda Mining District, Okanogan County, Washington.
This is the first of 15 pilot projects under a new program to remediate contamination at abandoned hardrock mines under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024.
These projects can better protect human health, improve ecological conditions for fish and other wildlife, and support local economies.
Work under the permit for Bodie mine will reduce the release of mine-related contaminants and environmental hazards associated with abandoned mine tailings from entering nearby Toroda Creek, which flows adjacent to the Bodie Mine site.
WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the first ever Good Samaritan remediation permit for Trout Unlimited Inc. to address contamination at the Bodie Mine site in Wauconda Mining District, Okanogan County, Washington.
This is the first of 15 pilot projects under a new program to remediate contamination at abandoned hardrock mines under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024.
These projects can better protect human health, improve ecological conditions for fish and other wildlife, and support local economies.
Work under the permit for Bodie mine will reduce the release of mine-related contaminants and environmental hazards associated with abandoned mine tailings from entering nearby Toroda Creek, which flows adjacent to the Bodie Mine site.
“The Trump EPA is committed to using creative solutions to improve human health and revitalize communities across America.
EPA’s Good Samaritan Program is cutting the red tape, allowing for streamlined cleanups at long abandoned mining sites, restoring watershed quality, and facilitating better coordination with local, state, and Tribal partners,”said Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Tom Croci.“This first ever Good Samaritan Permit is EPA’s new program to establish cleanup projects controlled by local stakeholders who are in the best position to understand the needs oftheir own communities.”
“The Trump EPA is committed to using creative solutions to improve human health and revitalize communities across America.
EPA’s Good Samaritan Program is cutting the red tape, allowing for streamlined cleanups at long abandoned mining sites, restoring watershed quality, and facilitating better coordination with local, state, and Tribal partners,”said Office of Land and Emergency Management Acting Assistant Administrator Tom Croci.“This first ever Good Samaritan Permit is EPA’s new program to establish cleanup projects controlled by local stakeholders who are in the best position to understand the needs oftheir own communities.”
“Hardrock Abandoned mines are a scourge on the landscape.
No-one is required to clean them up, so every day they release their toxic brew of zinc, cadmium, lead, and arsenic into our drinking water and trout streams.
Bully for the EPA recognizing that fact and authorizing the first abandoned mine clean up under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024,”said President and CEO of Trout Unlimited Chris Wood. “May their efforts lead many more states and communities, non-profits, and yes, even mining companies, to lend a hand and make our waters more fishable and swimmable for our kids.”
“Hardrock Abandoned mines are a scourge on the landscape.
No-one is required to clean them up, so every day they release their toxic brew of zinc, cadmium, lead, and arsenic into our drinking water and trout streams.
Bully for the EPA recognizing that fact and authorizing the first abandoned mine clean up under the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024,”said President and CEO of Trout Unlimited Chris Wood. “May their efforts lead many more states and communities, non-profits, and yes, even mining companies, to lend a hand and make our waters more fishable and swimmable for our kids.”
Thecleanupworkunder this permitwilladdressthe exposedmill tailingsfromeroding into the creek,to preventcontaminationdownstream.The streambank willthenbe rebuilt andreinforcedto prevent future erosion.
Native plants will beinstalledto restore the naturalhabitatand armor the streambank.
Completion ofthis workwillhelpprevent streambank erosion; improveecological conditions, soiland sediment quality; andprotecthuman health and the environment.
Thecleanupworkunder this permitwilladdressthe exposedmill tailingsfromeroding into the creek,to preventcontaminationdownstream.The streambank willthenbe rebuilt andreinforcedto prevent future erosion.
Native plants will beinstalledto restore the naturalhabitatand armor the streambank.
Completion ofthis workwillhelpprevent streambank erosion; improveecological conditions, soiland sediment quality; andprotecthuman health and the environment.
Background
TheGood Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock MinesActwas passed by Congress inDecember2024with bi-partisan support.
Theactestablishes a pilot programforthe U.S. EPA toprovideup to 15 Good Samaritan permits for low-risk projects designed to remediate abandoned hardrock mine sites.TheEPA has 7 years toimplementthe pilot program and having the first permitissuedin the first two yearsshows that EPA can move quickly and is motivated to make this program a success.
Applicant interest in the program is rising and EPA plans to have all 15 permits granted and implementingthecleanups in the field over the next 2 to 3 years.
TheGood Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock MinesActwas passed by Congress inDecember2024with bi-partisan support.
Theactestablishes a pilot programforthe U.S. EPA toprovideup to 15 Good Samaritan permits for low-risk projects designed to remediate abandoned hardrock mine sites.TheEPA has 7 years toimplementthe pilot program and having the first permitissuedin the first two yearsshows that EPA can move quickly and is motivated to make this program a success.
Applicant interest in the program is rising and EPA plans to have all 15 permits granted and implementingthecleanups in the field over the next 2 to 3 years.
EPA’s pilot programencourages qualified “Good Samaritans” to voluntarily clean up abandoned hardrock mine sites by allowing them to obtain investigative or remediation permits.
These permits enable Good Samaritans to carry out remediation activities while being protected from certain liability risks.
EPA’s pilot programencourages qualified “Good Samaritans” to voluntarily clean up abandoned hardrock mine sites by allowing them to obtain investigative or remediation permits.
These permits enable Good Samaritans to carry out remediation activities while being protected from certain liability risks.
To learn more about EPA’sGood SamaritanProgram, please go to the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Program page.
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