TO: The Honorable Gina A. McCarthy

FROM: Chairman Rob Bishop and Chairman Fred Upton

Dear Administrator McCarthy:

Under  section   I 08(b)  of  the  Comprehensive  Environmental   Response,   Compensation, and  Liability  Act  (CERCLA)  the  Environmental  Protection  Agency   (EPA  or  the  Agency)   is considering creating  a regulatory regime  for the hard rock  mining  industry  regarding  aspects of risk management and financial assurance. Financial assurance is a critical component of any operation to ensure that cleanup, closure, and post-closure activities are carried out once productivity ceases.  We understand that the EPA' s current regulatory considerations under section 108(b) are the result of a lawsuit brought by non-governmental organizations in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and that the Court has ordered EPA to complete a proposed rule by December 2016.

Read the entire letter HERE.