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Discharge Permit

Timeline

November

The first Buckhorn Mine NPDES permit went into effect

July

The WA State Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued Crown/Kinross a $395,000 penalty–the largest in state history–for significant permit violations

November

The first Buckhorn Mine NPDES permit expired, but was temporarily extended due to complications from the permit violations

June

Crown/Kinross and Ecology settled the penalty for the permit violations, in order to break through the deadlock and start finding solutions to the water quality problems at the mine. The penalty settlement forgave all previous water quality violations at the mine, and agreed to a timetable for the issuance of the discharge permit and other provisions.

October

After over 30 meetings with the mining company and their consultants, Ecology presented a draft NPDES permit to the public for comment–OHA submitted over 200 pages of comments

February

15 months overdue, the second NPDES permit was issued, which Crown/Kinross appealed to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) the next day

January

A six and a half day hearing began in front of the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) to hear the Crown/Kinross appeal of the NPDES permit Ecology issued in February 2014. OHA participated as interveners on behalf of Ecology.

March

Ecology published a second draft permit modification, which included NPDES compliance criteria in specific monitoring locations for specific constituents that more accurately reflect background water quality.

July

Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) denied Crown Resources/Kinross’s appeal of the permit, affirming that the water surrounding the Buckhorn Mine must be left as clean as it was before the mine was developed.

August

Crown Resources filed a petition for review of the PCHB’s decision

February

Ferry County Superior Court Judge Pat Monasmith heard and denied Crown Resources/Kinross’ appeal of the PCHB July 2015 decision, upholding the NPDES permit

April

Crown/Kinross filed an appeal of the Superior Court decision to the Washington State Court of Appeals

March

The Washington State Court of Appeals held a hearing for arguments over the renewed permit
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