EPA Eyes Mine Site Strategy To Improve Costs, Effectiveness Of Cleanups

摘要

EPA plans to develop a Superfund strategy for addressing contaminated mining sites to improve the effectiveness of those cleanups and lower costs such as through innovative treatment methods, due to the agency's continuing long-term costs at mining sites that are undercutting its limited Superfund budget, according to a key EPA Superfund official. The completion of cleanup at National Priorities List (NPL) mining sites, which often are large, complex sites and require lengthy operation and maintenance, continues to lag far behind other NPL site cleanups, and are costly to remediate, Robin Richardson, acting director of the Office of Superfund Remediation & Technology Innovation, said in talking points that were presented during an EPA-sponsored mining cleanup forum. Richardson spoke Aug. 12 at the National Conference on Mining Influenced Waters in Albuquerque, NM.