SENATE COMMITTEE ADOPTS INDUSTRY-BACKED STANDARDS - Affects State Waters And Trout Streams

(02/18/2004)

A Senate committee created a proposal on Monday that would weaken state water standards. State environmental groups are in a tizzy after the Senate Natural Resources Committee apparently endorsed rules governing water quality that include industry-backed amendments to weaken the standards. In a confusing "who did what, when" situation, environmental groups thought the tougher rules were in place to protect hundreds of West Virginia trout streams and other waterways. They thought the committee passed the bill last week without the amendments, which are favored by the West Virginia Coal Association, the state Chamber of Commerce, the Independent Oil and Gas Association and the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. The amendments include ordering state regulators to stop protecting all streams as if they are potential drinking water supplies, as well as eliminating an expanded list of protected trout streams. The changes are opposed by the state Environmental Quality Board, which governs West Virginia's water quality.

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