Congress is greenlighting South Dakota’s plan to purchase 266 acres of land around the Gilt Edge Mine superfund site.
The December omnibus bill contains language directing the U.S. Forest Service to sell the parcel to the state. Congressed passed the bill earlier this month. President Joe Biden signed it Thursday.
The Gilt Edge Mine is about six miles from Lead. The abandoned gold mine contains several pits of acidic water.
The state needs primary authority over the land to continue the cleanup process.
South Dakota’s Congressional delegation pushed for Congress to authorize the sale.
Lawrence County, the City of Lead, and the City of Deadwood supported the sale according to a press release from Representative Dusty Johnson's office.