Group Says 'Good Samaritan' CWA Policy Not Enough For Mine Cleanups

摘要

A conservation group says EPA's recent "Good Samaritan" guidance to reduce Clean Water Act (CWA) liability for innocent groups that voluntarily clean up abandoned hard rock mines "may not be a good fit for the type of work that is needed" and that the agency should explore other administrative efforts to facilitate such cleanups. During June 13 testimony before the House Natural Resources energy and mineral resources subcommittee, Steve Moyer of Trout Unlimited said EPA largely eliminated Superfund liability concerns for such groups with a 2007 guidance but that a December 2012 guidance focused on CWA concerns doesn't go far enough. "The Clean Water Act, which does wonders for fisheries under most circumstances, remains an obstacle to prospective good sams," said Moyer, the group's vice president for government affairs. "Without the needed Clean Water Act liability protection, good opportunities are being missed."