TITLE I--CONVEYANCE OF HOMESTAKE MINE

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the `Homestake Mine Conveyance Act of 2001'.

SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The United States is among the leading nations in the world in conducting basic scientific research.

(2) That leadership position strengthens the economy and national defense of the United States and provides other important benefits.

(3) The Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, owned by the Homestake Mining Company of California, is approximately 8,000 feet deep and is situated in a unique physical setting that is ideal for carrying out certain types of particle physics and other research.

(4) The Mine has been selected by the National Underground Science Laboratory Committee, an independent panel of distinguished scientists, as the preferred site for the construction of the National Underground Science Laboratory.

(5) Such a laboratory would be used to conduct scientific research that would be funded and recognized as significant by the United States.

(6) The establishment of the laboratory is in the national interest and would substantially improve the capability of the United States to conduct important scientific research.

(7) For economic reasons, Homestake intends to cease operations at the Mine in 2001.

(8) On cessation of operations of the Mine, Homestake intends to implement reclamation actions that would preclude the establishment of a laboratory at the Mine.

(9) Homestake has advised the State that, after cessation of operations at the Mine, instead of closing the entire Mine, Homestake is willing to donate the underground portion of the Mine and certain other real and personal property of substantial value at the Mine for use as the National Underground Science Laboratory.

(10) Use of the Mine as the site for the laboratory, instead of other locations under consideration, would result in a savings of millions of dollars for the Federal Government.

(11) If the Mine is selected as the site for the laboratory, it is essential that closure of the Mine not preclude the location of the laboratory at the Mine.

(12) Homestake is unwilling to donate, and the State is unwilling to accept, the property at the Mine for the laboratory if Homestake and the State would continue to have potential liability with respect to the transferred property.

(13) To secure the use of the Mine as the location for the laboratory and to realize the benefits of the proposed laboratory it is necessary for the United States to--

(A) assume a portion of any potential future liability of Homestake concerning the Mine; and

(B) address potential liability associated with the operation of the laboratory.

SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:

(1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) AFFILIATE-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term `affiliate' means any corporation or other person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Homestake.

(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `affiliate' includes a director, officer, or employee of an affiliate.

(3) CONVEYANCE- The term `conveyance' means the conveyance of the Mine to the State under section 104(a).

(4) FUND- The term `Fund' means the Environment and Project Trust Fund established under section 108.

(5) HOMESTAKE-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term `Homestake' means the Homestake Mining Company of California, a California corporation.

(B) INCLUSION- The term `Homestake' includes--

(i) a director, officer, or employee of Homestake;

(ii) an affiliate of Homestake; and

(iii) any successor of Homestake or successor to the interest of Homestake in the Mine.

(6) INDEPENDENT ENTITY- The term `independent entity' means an independent entity selected jointly by Homestake, the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Administrator--

(A) to conduct a due diligence inspection under section 104(b)(2)(A); and

(B) to determine the fair value of the Mine under section 105(a).

(7) INDIAN TRIBE- The term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).

(8) LABORATORY-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term `laboratory' means the national underground science laboratory proposed to be established at the Mine after the conveyance.

(B) INCLUSION- The term `laboratory' includes operating and support facilities of the laboratory.

(9) MINE-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term `Mine' means the portion of the Homestake Mine in Lawrence County, South Dakota, proposed to be conveyed to the State for the establishment and operation of the laboratory.

(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `Mine' includes--

(i) real property, mineral and oil and gas rights, shafts, tunnels, structures, backfill, broken rock, fixtures, facilities, and personal property to be conveyed for establishment and operation of the laboratory, as agreed upon by Homestake and the State; and

(ii) any water that flows into the Mine from any source.

(C) EXCLUSIONS- The term `Mine' does not include--

(i) the feature known as the `Open Cut';

(ii) any tailings or tailings storage facility (other than backfill in the portion of the Mine described in subparagraph (A)); or

(iii) any waste rock or any site used for the dumping of waste rock (other than broken rock in the portion of the Mine described in subparagraph (A)).

(10) PERSON- The term `person' means--

(A) an individual;

(B) a trust, firm, joint stock company, corporation (including a government corporation), partnership, association, limited liability company, or any other type of business entity;

(C) a State or political subdivision of a State;

(D) a foreign governmental entity;

(E) an Indian tribe; and

(F) any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States.

(11) PROJECT SPONSOR- The term `project sponsor' means an entity that manages or pays the costs of one or more projects that are carried out or proposed to be carried out at the laboratory.

(12) SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD- The term `Scientific Advisory Board' means the entity designated in the management plan of the laboratory to provide scientific oversight for the operation of the laboratory.

(13) STATE-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term `State' means the State of South Dakota.

(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `State' includes an institution, agency, officer, or employee of the State.

SEC. 104. CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY.

(a) IN GENERAL-

(1) DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS- Subject to paragraph (2) and subsection (b) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, on the execution and delivery by Homestake of one or more quitclaim deeds or bills of sale conveying to the State all right, title, and interest of Homestake in and to the Mine, title to the Mine shall pass from Homestake to the State.

(2) CONDITION OF MINE ON CONVEYANCE- The Mine shall be conveyed as is, with no representations as to the condition of the property.

(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR CONVEYANCE-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator's acceptance of the final report or certification of the independent entity under paragraph (4) is a condition precedent of the conveyance and of the assumption of liability by the United States in accordance with this title.

(2) DUE DILIGENCE INSPECTION-

(A) IN GENERAL- As a condition precedent of conveyance and of Federal participation described in this title, Homestake shall permit an independent entity to conduct a due diligence inspection of the Mine to determine whether any condition of the Mine may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or the environment.

(B) CONSULTATION- As a condition precedent of the conduct of a due diligence inspection, the Administrator, in consultation with Homestake, the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the independent entity, shall define the methodology and standards to be used, and other factors to be considered, by the independent entity in--

(i) the conduct of the due diligence inspection;

(ii) the scope of the due diligence inspection; and

(iii) the time and duration of the due diligence inspection.

(C) PARTICIPATION BY HOMESTAKE- Nothing in this paragraph requires Homestake to participate in the conduct of the due diligence inspection.

(3) REPORT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR-

(A) IN GENERAL- The independent entity shall submit to the Administrator a report that--

(i) describes the results of the due diligence inspection under paragraph (2); and

(ii) identifies any condition of or in the Mine that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or the environment.

(B) PROCEDURE-

(i) DRAFT REPORT- Before finalizing the report under this paragraph, the independent entity shall--

(I) issue a draft report;

(II) submit to the Administrator, Homestake, and the State a copy of the draft report;

(III) issue a public notice requesting comments on the draft report that requires all such comments to be filed not later than 45 days after issuance of the public notice; and

(IV) during that 45-day public comment period, conduct at least one public hearing in Lead, South Dakota, to receive comments on the draft report.

(ii) FINAL REPORT- In the final report submitted to the Administrator under this paragraph, the independent entity shall respond to, and incorporate necessary changes suggested by, the comments received on the draft report.

(4) REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY ADMINISTRATOR-

(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 60 days after receiving the final report under paragraph (3), the Administrator shall--

(i) review the report; and

(ii) notify the State in writing of acceptance or rejection of the final report.

(B) CONDITIONS FOR REJECTION- The Administrator may reject the final report if the report discloses one or more conditions that--

(i) as determined by the Administrator, may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health or the environment and require a response action; or

(ii) otherwise make the conveyance in section 104, or the assumption of liability, the release of liability, or the indemnification in section 106 contrary to the public interest.

(C) RESPONSE ACTIONS AND CERTIFICATION-

(i) RESPONSE ACTIONS-

(I) IN GENERAL- If the Administrator rejects the final report, Homestake may carry out or bear the cost of, or permit the State or another person to carry out or bear the cost of, such response actions as are necessary to correct any condition identified by the Administrator under subparagraph (B)(i) that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or the environment.

(II) LONG-TERM RESPONSE ACTIONS-

(aa) IN GENERAL- In a case in which the Administrator determines that a condition identified by the Administrator under subparagraph (B)(i) requires continuing response action, or response action that can be completed only as part of the final closure of the laboratory, it shall be a condition of conveyance that Homestake, the State, or another person deposit into the Fund such amount as is estimated by the independent entity, on a net present value basis and after taking into account estimated interest on that basis to be sufficient to pay the costs of the long-term response action or the response action that will be completed as part of the final closure of the laboratory.

(bb) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS- None of the funds deposited into the Fund under item (aa) shall be expended for any purpose other than to pay the costs of the long-term response action, or the response action that will be completed as part of the final closure of the Mine, identified under that item.

(ii) CONTRIBUTION BY HOMESTAKE- The total amount that Homestake may expend, pay, or deposit into the Fund under subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i) shall not exceed--

(I) $75,000,000; less

(II) the fair value of the Mine as determined under section 105(a).

(iii) CERTIFICATION-

(I) IN GENERAL- After any response actions described in clause (i)(I) are carried out and any required funds are deposited under clause (i)(II), the independent entity may certify to the Administrator that the conditions for rejection identified by the Administrator under subparagraph (B) have been corrected.

(II) ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF CERTIFICATION- Not later than 60 days after an independent entity makes a certification under subclause (I), the Administrator shall accept or reject the certification.

(c) REVIEW OF CONVEYANCE- For the purposes of the conveyance, the requirements of this section shall be considered to be sufficient to meet any requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

SEC. 105. ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY.

(a) VALUATION OF PROPERTY- The independent entity shall assess the fair value of the Mine.

(b) FAIR VALUE- For the purposes of this section, the fair value of the Mine shall be the fair market value as determined by an appraisal in conformance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition. To the extent appraised items only have value to the Federal Government for the purpose of constructing the laboratory, the appraiser shall also add to the assessment of fair value the estimated cost of replacing the shafts, winzes, hoists, tunnels, ventilation system and other equipment and improvements at the Mine that are expected to be used at, or that will be useful to, the laboratory.

(c) REPORT- Not later than the date on which each report developed in accordance with section 104(b)(3) is submitted to the Administrator, the independent entity described in subsection (a) shall submit to the State a report that identifies the fair value assessed under subsection (a).

SEC. 106. LIABILITY.

(a) ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY-

(1) ASSUMPTION- Subject to paragraph (2), notwithstanding any other provision of law, on completion of the conveyance in accordance with this title, the United States shall assume any and all liability relating to the Mine and laboratory, including liability for--

(A) damages;

(B) reclamation;

(C) the costs of response to any hazardous substance (as defined in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601)), contaminant, or other material on, under, or relating to the Mine and laboratory; and

(D) closure of the Mine and laboratory.

(2) CLAIMS AGAINST UNITED STATES- In the case of any claim brought against the United States, the United States shall be liable for--

(A) damages under paragraph (1)(A), only to the extent that an award of damages is made in a civil action brought under chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, notwithstanding that the act or omission giving rise to the claim was not committed by an employee of the United States; and

(B) response costs under paragraph (1)(C), only to the extent that an award of response costs is made in a civil action brought under--

(i) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);

(ii) the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);

(iii) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.); or

(iv) any other applicable Federal environmental law, as determined by the Administrator.

(b) LIABILITY PROTECTION- On completion of the conveyance, neither Homestake nor the State shall be liable to any person or the United States for injuries, costs, injunctive relief, reclamation, damages (including damages to natural resources or the environment), or expenses, or liable under any other claim (including claims for indemnification or contribution, claims by third parties for death, personal injury, illness, or loss of or damage to property, or claims for economic loss), under any law (including a regulation) for any claim arising out of or in connection with contamination, pollution, or other condition, use, or closure of the Mine and laboratory, regardless of when a condition giving rise to the liability originated or was discovered.

(c) INDEMNIFICATION- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on completion of the conveyance in accordance with this title, the United States shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Homestake and the State from and against--

(1) any and all liabilities and claims described in subsection (a), without regard to any limitation under subsection (a)(2); and

(2) any and all liabilities and claims described in subsection (b).

(d) WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY- For purposes of this title, the United States waives any claim to sovereign immunity with respect to any claim of Homestake or the State under this title.

(e) TIMING FOR ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY- If the conveyance is effectuated by more than one legal transaction, the assumption of liability, liability protection, indemnification, and waiver of sovereign immunity provided for under this section shall apply to each legal transaction, as of the date on which the transaction is completed and with respect to such portion of the Mine as is conveyed under that transaction.

(f) EXCEPTIONS FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS- Nothing in this section constitutes an assumption of liability by the United States, or relief of liability of Homestake, for--

(1) any unemployment, worker's compensation, or other employment-related claim or cause of action of an employee of Homestake that arose before the date of conveyance;

(2) any claim or cause of action that arose before the date of conveyance, other than claims relating to environmental response costs or natural resource damages; or

(3) any violation of any provision of criminal law.

(g) EXCEPTION FOR OFF-SITE ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS- Nothing in this title constitutes an assumption of liability by the United States, relief of liability for Homestake, or obligation to indemnify Homestake, for any claim, injury, damage, liability, or reclamation or cleanup obligation with respect to any property or asset that is not conveyed under this title, except to the extent that any such claim, injury, damage, liability, or reclamation or cleanup obligation is based on activities or events at the Mine subsequent to the date of conveyance.

SEC. 107. INSURANCE COVERAGE.

(a) PROPERTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE-

(1) IN GENERAL- To the extent property and liability insurance is available and subject to the requirements described in paragraph (2), the State shall purchase property and liability insurance for the Mine and the operation of the laboratory to provide coverage against the liability described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 106.

(2) REQUIREMENTS- The requirements referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:

(A) TERMS OF INSURANCE- In determining the type, extent of coverage, and policy limits of insurance purchased under this subsection, the State shall--

(i) periodically consult with the Administrator and the Scientific Advisory Board; and

(ii) consider certain factors, including--

(I) the nature of the projects and experiments being conducted in the laboratory;

(II) the availability and cost of commercial insurance; and

(III) the amount of funding available to purchase commercial insurance.

(B) ADDITIONAL TERMS- The insurance purchased by the State under this subsection may provide coverage that is--

(i) secondary to the insurance purchased by project sponsors; and

(ii) in excess of amounts available in the Fund to pay any claim.

(3) FINANCING OF INSURANCE PURCHASE-

(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to section 108, the State may finance the purchase of insurance required under this subsection by using--

(i) funds made available from the Fund; and

(ii) such other funds as are received by the State for the purchase of insurance for the Mine and laboratory.

(B) NO REQUIREMENT TO USE STATE FUNDS- Nothing in this title requires the State to use State funds to purchase insurance required under this subsection.

(4) ADDITIONAL INSURED- Any insurance purchased by the State under this subsection shall--

(A) name the United States as an additional insured; or

(B) otherwise provide that the United States is a beneficiary of the insurance policy having the primary right to enforce all rights of the United States under the policy.

(5) TERMINATION OF OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE INSURANCE- The obligation of the State to purchase insurance under this subsection shall terminate on the date on which--

(A) the Mine ceases to be used as a laboratory; or

(B) sufficient funding ceases to be available for the operation and maintenance of the Mine or laboratory.

(b) PROJECT INSURANCE-

(1) IN GENERAL- The State, in consultation with the Administrator and the Scientific Advisory Board, may require, as a condition of approval of a project for the laboratory, that a project sponsor provide property and liability insurance or other applicable coverage for potential liability associated with the project described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 106.

(2) ADDITIONAL INSURED- Any insurance obtained by the project sponsor under this section shall--

(A) name the State and the United States as additional insureds; or

(B) otherwise provide that the State and the United States are beneficiaries of the insurance policy having the primary right to enforce all rights under the policy.

(c) STATE INSURANCE-

(1) IN GENERAL- To the extent required by State law, the State shall purchase, with respect to the operation of the Mine and the laboratory--

(A) unemployment compensation insurance; and

(B) worker's compensation insurance.

(2) PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FROM FUND- A State shall not use funds from the Fund to carry out paragraph (1).

SEC. 108. ENVIRONMENT AND PROJECT TRUST FUND.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- On completion of the conveyance, the State shall establish, in an interest-bearing account at an accredited financial institution located within the State, the Environment and Project Trust Fund.

(b) AMOUNTS- The Fund shall consist of--

(1) an annual deposit from the operation and maintenance funding provided for the laboratory in an amount to be determined--

(A) by the State, in consultation with the Administrator and the Scientific Advisory Board; and

(B) after taking into consideration--

(i) the nature of the projects and experiments being conducted at the laboratory;

(ii) available amounts in the Fund;

(iii) any pending costs or claims that may be required to be paid out of the Fund; and

(iv) the amount of funding required for future actions associated with the closure of the facility;

(2) an amount determined by the State, in consultation with the Administrator and the Scientific Advisory Board, and to be paid by the appropriate project sponsor, for each project to be conducted, which amount--

(A) shall be used to pay--

(i) costs incurred in removing from the Mine or laboratory equipment or other materials related to the project;

(ii) claims arising out of or in connection with the project; and

(iii) if any portion of the amount remains after paying the expenses described in clauses (i) and (ii), other costs described in subsection (c); and

(B) may, at the discretion of the State, be assessed--

(i) annually; or

(ii) in a lump sum as a prerequisite to the approval of the project;

(3) interest earned on amounts in the Fund, which amount of interest shall be used only for a purpose described in subsection (c); and

(4) all other funds received and designated by the State for deposit in the Fund.

(c) EXPENDITURES FROM FUND- Amounts in the Fund shall be used only for the purposes of funding--

(1) waste and hazardous substance removal or remediation, or other environmental cleanup at the Mine;

(2) removal of equipment and material no longer used, or necessary for use, in conjunction with a project conducted at the laboratory;

(3) a claim arising out of or in connection with the conducting of such a project;

(4) purchases of insurance by the State as required under section 107;

(5) payments for and other costs relating to liability described in section 106; and

(6) closure of the Mine and laboratory.

(d) FEDERAL PAYMENTS FROM FUND- The United States--

(1) to the extent the United States assumes liability under section 106--

(A) shall be a beneficiary of the Fund; and

(B) may direct that amounts in the Fund be applied to pay amounts and costs described in this section; and

(2) may take action to enforce the right of the United States to receive one or more payments from the Fund.

(e) NO REQUIREMENT OF DEPOSIT OF PUBLIC FUNDS- Nothing in this section requires the State to deposit State funds as a condition of the assumption by the United States of liability, or the relief of the State or Homestake from liability, under section 106.

SEC. 109. WASTE ROCK MIXING.

After completion of the conveyance, the State shall obtain the approval of the Administrator before disposing of any material quantity of laboratory waste rock if--

(1) the disposal site is on land not conveyed under this title; and

(2) the State determines that the disposal could result in commingling of laboratory waste rock with waste rock disposed of by Homestake before the date of conveyance.

SEC. 110. REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION OF LABORATORY.

After the conveyance, nothing in this title exempts the laboratory from compliance with any law (including a Federal environmental law).

SEC. 111. CONTINGENCY.

This title shall be effective contingent on approval by the National Science Board and the making of an award by the National Science Foundation for the establishment of the laboratory at the Mine.

SEC. 112. OBLIGATION IN THE EVENT OF NONCONVEYANCE.

If the conveyance under this title does not occur, any obligation of Homestake relating to the Mine shall be limited to such reclamation or remediation as is required under any applicable law other than this title.

SEC. 113. PAYMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS.

The United States may seek payment--

(1) from the Fund, under section 108(d), to pay or reimburse the United States for amounts payable or liabilities incurred under this title; and

(2) from available insurance, to pay or reimburse the United States and the Fund for amounts payable or liabilities incurred under this title.

SEC. 114. CONSENT DECREES.

Nothing in this title affects any obligation of a party under--

(1) the 1990 Remedial Action Consent Decree (Civ. No. 90-5101 D. S.D.); or

(2) the 1999 Natural Resource Damage Consent Decree (Civ. Nos. 97-5078 and 97-5100, D. S.D.).

SEC. 115. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this title.

SEC. 116. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT.

Notwithstanding Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference accompanying Conference Report 105-217, the provisions of this title that would have been estimated by the Office of Management and Budget as changing direct spending or receipts under section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 were it included in an Act other than an appropriations Act shall be treated as direct spending or receipts legislation, as appropriate, under section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, and by the Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees, as appropriate, under the Congressional Budget Act.