ENVIRO-NEWS- Mountaintop Mining Impacts

Independent Science Advisory Board Draft Review Supports EPA Science on Mountaintop Mining Impacts

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Makuch, Joseph" <Joseph.Makuch@ars.usda.gov>
Date: Oct 1, 2010 8:56 AM
Subject: [ENVIRO-NEWS] Independent Science Advisory Board Draft Review Supports EPA Science on Mountaintop Mining Impacts
To: <Enviro-News@ars.usda.gov>

From: U.S. EPA [mailto:usaepa@govdelivery.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 4:21 PM
Subject: Water News Release (HQ): Independent Science Advisory Board
Draft Review Supports EPA Science on Mountaintop Mining Impacts

CONTACT:
Jalil Isa
isa.jalil@epa.gov
202-564-3226
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2010


Independent Science Advisory Board Draft Review Supports EPA Science on
Mountaintop Mining Impacts

WASHINGTON - On September 28, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA) independent Science Advisory Board (SAB) released their first
draft review of EPA's research into the water quality impacts of valley
fills associated with mountaintop mining. In their draft review, the SAB
supports EPA's scientific research and agrees with EPA's conclusion that
valley fills are associated with increased levels of conductivity (a
measure of water pollution for mining practices) in downstream waters,
and that these increased levels of conductivity threaten stream life in
surface waters.

"This independent review affirms that EPA is relying on sound analysis
and letting science and only science guide our actions to protect human
health and the environment," said EPA's Assistant Administrator for
Water Pete Silva. "We will continue to follow the science and solicit
input from all stakeholders as we safeguard water quality and protect
the American people."

The SAB reviewed EPA's draft report "A Field-Based Aquatic Life
Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams," which uses
field data to derive an aquatic life benchmark for conductivity. The
benchmark is intended to protect 95 percent of aquatic species in
streams in the Appalachian region influenced by mountaintop mining and
valley fills. Based on that science, EPA released guidance in April
designed to minimize irreversible water quality impacts caused by
mountaintop mining.

Following the completion of the external peer review and review of
public comments, the report will be revised and published as a final
report.

A growing body of scientific literature, including previous and new
studies performed by EPA, show significant damage to local streams that
are polluted with the mining runoff from mountaintop removal. To protect
water quality, EPA has identified a range of conductivity (a measure of
the level of salt in the water) of 300 to 500 microSiemens per
centimeter that is generally consistent with protecting life in
Appalachian streams. The maximum benchmark conductivity of 500
microSiemens per centimeter is a measure of salinity that is roughly
five times above normal levels.

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