The CMA Water Quality Committee meets monthly to discuss a number of state and federal water quality issues. CMA’s Water Quality Committee chairman, Jimmy Boswell of Peabody Energy, and committee members have prepared issue papers covering topics the committee has discussed for several years. Members of the committee may view these papers in the document library, here. Interested in joining the committee? Go to the Water Quality Committee group page and click “Join Group” at the top of the page.
In July, the committee hosted a meeting with the Colorado Water Quality Control Division where issues identified by members such as permit conditions and water quality standards were discussed. Many of the issues covered are also discussed in the Permit Issues Work Group.
Water quality issues for CMA’s mining operators have proven to be difficult to resolve, though CMA provides a forum for members to work together to share ideas, strategies and experiences. We are pleased to be able to assist our members in collectively working with Colorado regulators in the Division of Mining and Safety as well as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division (WQCD).
Finally, CMA provides comments to regulators on a wide variety of subjects of concern, including support of individual members who wish to have comments filed expressing a general industry viewpoint supporting a company’s legal, policy or technical position. For example, CMA has filed comments with the WQCD supporting Trapper Mining Company and Colowyo Mine in their water quality permit renewal applications.