The Black Mesa Mine Mess

Women Earth Alliance’s Caitlin Sislin has written on High Country News about the current opportunity for comment regarding the Peabody Western Coal Company’s water permit review process.  She writes:

“A controversial clean water permit for a coal mine complex sited at a Navajo and Hopi sacred mountain is once again up for review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Peabody Western Coal Company seeks a renewal of its water quality permit for the Black Mesa/ Kayenta Mine Complex, despite the mine’s impact on water quality and local public health over several decades because of discharges of toxic heavy metals and pollutants into the water supply.
EPA invites the public to submit comments through April 30th on the previously-withdrawn National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit pursuant to the Clean Water Act, which requires that all industrial dischargers of wastewater obtain and maintain a permit.”

Her full article can be read here.

Will you answer Caitlin’s call to action?  Share your comments with the EPA by April 30, 2010.  You can do so here (it’s notice # NN0022179).  Or call the EPA’s John Tinger at (415) 972-3518 or by email at Tinger.John@EPA.gov.