Click here to tell the EPA, the White House & the Army Corps of Engineers to close Clean Water Act loopholes

Lower Slate Lake, before being used as a mine waste dump for the Kensington mine. Credit: Pat Costello

The mining industry is using our lakes and streams as waste dumps

Mining corporations are using two Clean Water Act loopholes to dump their toxic mining waste directly into the waters we all rely on.  In the process, these multinational companies are turning some of America's most pristine lakes and streams into industrial waste dumps.

Death by mining waste

In Alaska, the Kensington gold mine is pumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxics per day into Lower Slate Lake, killing its fish and aquatic life.

And we can expect more of the same: given the choice between treating their waste properly and just dumping into lakes and streams – mining companies will take the easy way out every time.

EPA to the rescue?

To protect our waters—and us—President Obama must make closing these Clean Water Act loopholes a priority.

Fortunately, the EPA and the Army Corp of Engineers are considering regulatory changes that would do just that.

TAKE ACTION: 

Tell the White House, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers that our water is more precious that gold! 

Urge them to close the Clean Water Act loopholes that allow multinational mining corporations to use our clean waters as a toxic mine waste dumps.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Read the sample letter at page bottom that appears and edit it if possible. Customized letters have greater impact.

Click "Send My Message" to send your letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, President Obama, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

MORE INFORMATION:

• EPA: Clean Water Act Definition of "Waters of the United States"
• EPA: Breakdown of how each state is affected 
• EPA: Explanation of the mining waste exemption
• National Wildlife Federation: Big Mining Exploits Clean Water Act Loopholes
• Southeast Alaska Conservation Council: Kensington Mine