Rep. Heck Applauds Three Kids Mine Bill Being Signed into Law

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today released the following statement upon learning that President Barack Obama signed H.R. 697, the Three Kids Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act, into law.

Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03) today released the following statement upon learning that President Barack Obama signed H.R. 697, the Three Kids Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act, into law.

The bill provides an innovative public-private partnership solution to finally clean up the abandoned Three Kids Mine site in Henderson at no cost to federal taxpayers. It is estimated that the clean up and development of the Three Kids Mine site could create as many as 3,000 jobs over the life of the project.

"This new law will help get southern Nevada back to work," Rep. Heck said. "If Nevada's economy is going to continue improving, it will need room to grow. That is the long-term economic development opportunity this law provides the city of Henderson."

Rep. Heck continued, “Today is a perfect example of how the Nevada delegation can come together and advance issues important to our local communities. I look forward to working with Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen, the Henderson City Council, and all of the stakeholders to get the Three Kids Mine redevelopment project off the ground as soon as possible."

“I would like to congratulate Congressman Heck for creating an innovative solution for the cleanup of the Three Kids Mine Site,” said Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce. “The law calls for a public-private partnership to clean up a mine that the federal government neglected for so many years.  This new law will not cost taxpayers a dime, will help the environment, and will create thousands of direct jobs while allowing for future economic development on the property.”

THREE KIDS MINE TIMELINE:

February 14, 2013 - Rep. Heck Introduces Bill to Clean Up Three Kids Mine Site

July 22, 2013 - Three Kids Mine Bill Passes House

July 10, 2014 - Senate Passage of Three Kids Mine Bill

July 25, 2014 - President Obama signs H.R. 697 into law

BACKGROUND:

* The Three Kids Mine site is a 1,260 acre abandoned manganese mine and mill site located along the south side of Lake Mead Drive, across the highway from Lake Las Vegas, in Henderson.

* The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Federal lands at the project site – approximately 948 acres – at fair market value taking into account the costs of investigating and remediating the entire site, which includes an additional 314 acres of now-private lands that were used historically in mine operations.

* In return for conveying the land at fair market value, the Federal Government will also receive a release of liability for cleanup of both the Federal and private lands.

* Before the Federal lands are conveyed, the State must enter into a binding consent agreement under which the cleanup of the entire project site will occur.

* This agreement must include financial assurances to ensure the completion of the remediation and reclamation of the site.

* The cleanup will be financed with private capital and Nevada tax increment financing at no cost to the Federal government.

* H.R. 697 is the result of more than five years of work among the City of Henderson Redevelopment Agency, the Department of the Interior, the State of Nevada, and private entities.

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