The Senate Transportation Committee has approved a bill sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that aims to address the dangers posed by abandoned mines across the state. The legislation would create the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to mitigate risks and prevent future incidents related to neglected mining sites.
Senator Bucco referenced recent infrastructure issues as motivation for the measure. “The I-80 sinkhole disaster showed just how quickly a single infrastructure failure can severely disrupt commuting, commerce, and daily life,” said Senate Republican Leader Bucco (R-25). “It is essential to restore and improve the structural foundation that led to this crisis and the ‘Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program’ will take a proactive approach to identify the most serious risks, reclaim abandoned mines safely, and protect both our roads and our communities from future emergencies.”
If enacted, the program would focus on identifying high-risk sites and developing strategies for safe reclamation in order to safeguard transportation routes and surrounding areas.
The full text of the bill is available online.
