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DEQ seeks funds for long‑term mine water treatment; lawmakers asked to cover Zortman and C.R. Kendall needs
Summary
Officials said DEQ needs increased authority and funding for long‑term mine water treatment at sites such as Zortman‑Landusky and C.R. Kendall, and is proposing statutory fixes to use orphan‑share funds and add fee authority for hard‑rock reclamation. Agency leaders also flagged rising litigation costs after recent court rulings.
The Department of Environmental Quality told the Section C appropriations committee it will seek added appropriation authority and statutory changes to fund long‑term water treatment at legacy mine sites and to stabilize funding for reclamation work.
Dan Walsh, division administrator for Air, Energy and Mining, highlighted a decision package (DP 5,010) to restore appropriation authority for Zortman‑Landusky water treatment, saying annual operating costs have exceeded current appropriation levels. "DEQ currently has cash to cover the near term annual cost for water treatment at Zortman, but not the appropriation to do so," Walsh said, asking the committee to approve DP 5,010 so the department has the necessary appropriation authority.
The department also asked for funding to support C.R. Kendall…
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