[미국] EPA, 아이다호주 금광 채굴자와 합의

아이다호(Idaho)주 아이다호폴스시의 로버트 폴 라이스(Robert Paul Rice Jr)가 미국 환경청(EPA)와 사우스포크 클리어워터강(South Fork Clearwater River)으로의 오염물질 무허가 방류와 관련, 식수오염방지법 위반 사항에 관한 합의를 끝냈다.

EPA는 지난 2013년 아이다호주의 석션 드레지(Suction dredge) 운영을 위한 국가오염물질 배출규제제도(NPDES)의 허가증을 발행한 바 있다. 식수오염방지법을 준수하기 위해 석션 드레지 운영자들은 운영하기 전 반드시 NPDES 허가증을 획득해야 한다. 이 허가증에는 석션 드레지의 취수 노즐(nozzle) 크기를 직경 15인치 혹은 그 이하, 엔진은 약 15마력 이내로 정하고 있다.

또 지난 2015년, 미국 산림청(FS)는 준설채굴법이 강에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위해 환경영향 평가를 완료했다. 평가 결과로 NPDES 허가를 보유한 사람들만 클리어워터강에 접근이 가능하다. 사우스포크 클리어워터강에서 드레지의 운영을 원하는 채굴업자들은 미국 산림청에 운영 계획(plan of operations)을 우선 제출해야 한다.

[원문보기]

EPA settles with Idaho gold miner for Clean Water Act discharge violation

Robert Paul Rice Jr, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have reached a settlement regarding Mr. Rice's Clean Water Act violation for the unauthorized discharge of pollutants to the South Fork Clearwater River. The discharges were a result of Mr. Rice's operation of a suction dredge in the South Fork of the Clearwater River on July 22, 2015. Mr. Rice agreed to pay a $3,600 penalty as part of the settlement.

EPA issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit in 2013 for small suction dredge operations in Idaho. To comply with the Clean Water Act, operators of small suction dredges must obtain NPDES permit coverage prior to operation.

The general permit covers small suction dredges with an intake nozzle size of five inches in diameter or less, powered by engines rated at 15 horsepower or less. The general permit places conditions on the discharge of rock and sand from each mining operation and prohibitions in certain vulnerable areas to protect water quality and aquatic resources.

At the time the violation occurred, suction dredge mining in the South Fork of the Clearwater River was prohibited to protect critical habitat for steelhead and bull trout under the Endangered Species Act. In addition, the South Fork of the Clearwater River is impaired under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act for sediment. In July, 2015, Mr. Rice operated in the South Fork despite the prohibition in effect at the time.

Since then, the US Forest Service completed an environmental assessment to evaluate dredging impacts on the river. As a result of that evaluation, a controlled number of NPDES general permit holders may now access the South Fork of the Clearwater for dredging. Miners wishing to operate their dredges in the South Fork of the Clearwater must first submit a "plan of operations" to the U.S. Forest Service prior to the dredge season.

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 12월 21일]