Washington - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), under suspension of the rules. House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Congressman Johnson's Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act is the exact kind of commonsense legislation we need more of in Congress. This solution allows the state of South Dakota to enhance its environmental remediation efforts at the Gilt Edge Mine Superfund site without federal bureaucracy getting in the way. This bill is a huge win for South Dakota and also reduces the size of the federal estate. I commend Congressman Johnson's work and urge the bill's swift passage in the Senate." 

Background 

In total, the House passed two Natural Resources Committee bills under suspension, including: 

H.R. 1638, the Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), authorizes the state of South Dakota to purchase approximately 266 acres of U.S. Forest Service land that will allow the state to clean up the Gilt Edge Mine Superfund site once the Environmental Protection Agency completes its portion of the cleanup.