H.R. 699, The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009, introduced Tuesday by Congressman Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., is directed at creating business for environmental cleanup companies in cleaning up abandoned mines, according to the Congressman.

The bill would establish a fund to clean up the hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines that litter the west. It would replace an 1872 Mining Law, which contained no environmental or reclamation standards. According to environmental group Earthworks, the reform bill, "will modernize mining practices on public lands and balance the demand for minerals with the importance of protecting crucial drinking water supplies and other natural resources, outstanding natural lands, taxpayers, fish and wildlife habitat, and the health and well being of our communities."

To read the full text of the bill, visit http://thomas.loc.gov/, and search for "H.R. 699."