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Johnson’s Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act Passes the House

September 29, 2022

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson’s (R-S.D.) legislation to transfer to the State of South Dakota a portion of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site owned by the U.S. Forest Service. The bill passed the House 296-127.

“For years this site has been owned and managed by a patchwork quilt of state and federal governments. My bill will make it easier for the State and EPA to remediate the site by getting the Forest Service out of the middle,” said Johnson. “This land is no longer a forest or natural habitat, nor can it be used for recreation. Allowing South Dakota to purchase and own this land is an important step in finishing the cleanup.”

You can watch Johnson’s floor remarks here.

The Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act authorizes the state of South Dakota to purchase approximately 266 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Lawrence County. The land transfer authorized by this legislation allows the state to conduct a clean-up effort within the boundary of the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site once the Environmental Protection Agency completes its clean-up actions.

The abandoned gold mine contaminates water with heavy metals and acidity, and the clean-up efforts thus far have treated the contaminated water, covering the area with plastic to prevent water from leaching into the area, and recovering it with grass. To move forward, the state must first have primary authority to continue the clean-up. Currently, the federal government owns the land, and states cannot manage or control federal property.

The Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act is supported by Lawrence County, Governor Noem, City of Lead, and City of Deadwood.

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