Maine Legislators to Once Again Consider New Mining Rules
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection has voted unanimously to adopt controversial new mining rules for the state.
The Legislature has twice rejected similar proposals, and will have the final word on these, as well. The rules are under fire from environmental groups, tribal members and others who say they are still not protective of public health or water quality and could leave taxpayers on the hook for hefty clean-up costs.
Staff at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection say the new rules are needed to address gaps and inconsistencies between existing rules and statutes. For months, they’ve been working to set up a review process for potential mining operations and to try to address public concerns along the way.
“These are the most stringent that we’ve proposed. They are far more comprehensive. And they’re certainly substantially more restrictive than the rules that are currently in effect for metallic mining in Maine,” says Melanie Loyzim, deputy commissioner of the Maine DEP.
Read more: http://mainepublic.org/post/maine-legislators-once-again-consider-new-mining-rules