E.P.A. looks for public input on Black Mesa Mine wastewater permit

** NEWS BRIEF **

SAN FRANCISCO - The E.P.A. will hold public hearings on February 23 and 24 to allow additional public participation and review on the suggested wastewater permit renewal for the Peabody Western Coal Company Black Mesa / Kayenta Complex. Both hearings will be held from 6-9 pm. On February 23 the hearings will be held in Kayenta at the Kayenta Chapter House on Hwy. 163 and on February 24 in Kykotsmovi at the Veterans Memorial Center.

E.P.A. initially took review on the suggested permit in February 2009, but decided to withdraw the permit renewal in order to ensure that community members had adequate opportunities to review on the permit decision. In the interim, the mine continues to operate under a previously-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Comments on the suggested permit renewal will be accepted through March 31.

The renewed permit will establish runoff limits and requirements based on national guidelines and will ensure that water quality requirements for both the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe are met. In addition, the renewed permit will incorporate new regulatory requirements for reclaimed mine areas and will require the implementation of projects to control sediment and seepage from stormwater ponds.

The Clean Water Act requires that all industrial dischargers of wastewater obtain a permit. The Black Mesa Mine has been operating under a wastewater discharge permit for over 20 years for the release of treated stormwater related to mining activities.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/npdes/pubnotices.html

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