Flake, McCain apoyan la solicitud del ADEQ para comentar sobre regla minera del EPA
Posted on Aug 24 2016
Washington, D.C.- Los Senadores Estadounidenses Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) y John McCain (R-Ariz.) ayer enviaron una carta a la Administradora de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), en inglés), Gina McCarthy. En la carta, los senadores expresaron preocupaciones sobre una próxima regla que duplicará y posiblemente reducirá los éxitos de un programa del estado de Arizona, el cual requiere pago inicial por la remediación de proyectos mineros. A demás, la carta propone el apoyo por la petición más reciente del Departamento de Calidad Ambiental de Arizona (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, en inglés), la cual le pide al EPA que extienda el plazo regulatorio para poder trabajar con los estados en crear una regla práctica.
“Arizona también tiene protecciones ambientales sólidos en vigor para asegurar que las actividades mineras en el estado sean realizadas de una manera responsable. Pólizas de una sólida posición financiera ya existen bajo el programa “Aquifer Protection Permit Program,” la ley “Arizona Mined Land Reclamation Act,” y normativas que rigen arrendamientos sobre la minería de materiales duros en terrenos del estado. Con razón, los reguladores ambientales y mineros de Arizona están preocupados sobre la posibilidad de que los programas de Arizona sean anulados,” escribieron los senadores.
Se puede acceder una copia firmada de la carta del ADEQ al EPA aquí.
Se puede acceder una copia firmada de la carta por Flake-McCain aquí.
El texto de la carta en inglés puede ser encontrado debajo.
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August 23, 2016
The Honorable Gina McCarthy
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator McCarthy,
We would like to bring to your attention concerns related to an upcoming proposed rule regarding financial responsibility for hard rock mining under section 108(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). We have a number of questions with the forthcoming rule and the process used to develop it. As such, we urge you to file an extension and work with the State of Arizona to ensure the proposed rule does not undermine financial responsibility programs already in place in the state.
Arizona has a long history of hard rock mining and the industry plays a key role in the state's economy. Arizona also has strong environmental protections in place to ensure mining in the state is conducted in a responsible manner. Robust financial assurances regulations already exist under the Aquifer Protection Permit Program, the Arizona Mined Land Reclamation Act, and regulations governing leases for hard rock mining on state land. Arizona's environmental regulators and miners are rightly concerned about the possible preemption of these Arizona programs.
As we understand it, Misael Cabrera, the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), sent the EPA Office of Conservation and Recovery a letter (attached) on August 17, 2016 concerning this very issue. In the letter Director Cabrera requests the EPA file for an extension from the court in order to better consult with the states. ADEQ also extends an offer of assistance to test the new rules and suggests several options to address potential preemption. We urge you to follow their request for an extension and accept their offer of assistance on this troublesome rule. We thank you in advance for your continued time and attention to these issues. As always, we ask that this matter be handled in strict accordance with all applicable agency rules, regulations, and ethical guidelines.
Sincerely,
JEFF FLAKE
United States Senator
JOHN MCCAIN
United States Senator
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