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Matt Ellsworth [ellsworth@miningamerica.org] 5/31/2017 8:30:37 PM Wagner, Kenneth [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=048236ab99bc4d5eal6cl39blb67719c-Wagner, Ken] Good Sam
Kenneth, In reading the below article from E & E I was reminded of our conversation in March and the inclusion of "Good Sam." I wanted to share with you that while we differ with TU on many issues, vis-vis Pebble, we have been engaged with Chris Wood and his team over many meetings to find a partnership on Good Sam with the hardrock mining sector. We are very interested in moving along some concepts with you and Mr. Pruitt.
Also, I would like to renew my interest with you in assisting in Region X. I have a long background working there and I am eager to assist in the President's goals in the area. If you are in Seattle it is an easy jaunt over there to talk more on this or the Good Sam issue. We are also in DC often and can work there as well.
Safe travels and I know you are busy traveling around.
Matthew Ellsworth Government Affairs Manager American Exploration & Mining Association
Office: 509-624-1158j x"""
www.MiningAmerica.org
Pruitt talks coal cleanups, WOTUS, Pebble with anglers' lobby
.0}:ia.O...B..[ow.O., E&E News reporter
Published: Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Trout Unlimited made the most of its meeting last week with U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt -- despite their policy differences.
Leaders of the angler advocacy group discussed their concerns about Pruitt and the Trump administration scrapping proposed restrictions on the Pebble mine in Alaska and abandoning the Waters of the U.S. rule, two controversial Obama-era actions.
But President and CEO Chris Wood yesterday thanked Pruitt just for opening his door, saying it was "as positive a meeting as can be expected."
"He took careful notes, he was generous with his time, he was friendly," Wood said. "He revealed that he actually is a fly fisherman, which is a positive mark to his character as far as I'm concerned."
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Pruitt also backed Trout Unlimited's ongoing effort to remove liability issues preventing potential "good Samaritan" groups from helping clean up an estimated $10 billion worth of abandoned coal mines polluting streams nationwide.
Before the meeting with Pruitt, Wood testified at a House hearing where legislation to remove barriers for nongovernmental groups aiming to help clean up abandoned coal mines received bipartisan praise (E&E Daily, May 25).
"Yellow rivers unite Republican and Democrats," he said. "Administrator Pruitt, he was as effusive in his support for finding administrative ways EPA can facilitate the cleanup of abandoned mines as any administrator I have worked with."
Wood said Pruitt also said he has fished in Bristol Bay but did not waiver on his decision to settle a lawsuit with the company behind the massive Pebble mine proposal in the world-renowned fishing region.
The deal included scrapping the Obama Clean Water Act restrictions that Trout Unlimited supported (Greemvire, May 17).
Pruitt "made clear that they didn't like the pre-emptive nature of what the previous administration was trying to do," Wood said. "He committed that they would listen very closely and carefully to the voices of the people from southwestern Alaska and Alaska generally."
The settlement maintains the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment that warned against large-scale mining development in the region and argued opposition remains strong in Alaska.
"We are going to continue to try and rely on both science and the will of the people in Alaska to try and protect that fishery," he said.
After nearly every single member of Congress at the coal hearing told him about their love for the rod and reel, Wood said the solitary act of fishing is increasingly becoming a political force.
"If you care about water quality, you've got to make your voices heard," he said.
In Bristol Bay, Wood said Pruitt committed to "ample opportunity and public process to do that. And we intend to avail ourselves of it. "
Twitter: @DyianBrown26 Email: dbrown@eenews.net
Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA
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