Editorial: Protecting the environment

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 | 7:09 a.m.

An Assembly bill that would increase mercury emissions inspections at mining operations has been retooled to omit a required reduction in mercury emissions.

Assembly Bill 115, introduced by Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, calls for adding two new inspectors to the Nevada Environmental Protection Division. The additional staff will allow the agency to increase inspections - including unannounced visits - at mining operations to make certain that conditions are safe for workers and that the operations' reported mercury levels are accurate.

The bill, which has the support of mining companies and mining industry friend Gov. Jim Gibbons, originally included a provision that also called for reducing mercury emissions by 25 percent by 2012.

To move the bill forward without industry opposition, Leslie, who said her top priority was worker safety, removed the emissions reduction. Mining officials say the new inspectors would bolster enforcement of state environmental rules enacted last year that require mines to report mercury emissions annually. Surprise visits by the new inspectors should help make sure that companies adhere to the new rules, industry officials said.

Mercury is released during gold refining. Environmentalists say mercury emissions have poisoned fish and waterfowl in Idaho and Utah and possibly Nevada. Mining officials have said there are no conclusive links between Nevada's mining operations and elevated mercury levels in wildlife in Nevada or neighboring states. But state officials say there hasn't been enough scientific study to support or refute that connection.

Environmentalists, as well residents, who have suffered mercury poisoning from eating contaminated fish, told the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee on Monday that the legislation would at least provide a step toward better monitoring of the industry's emissions.

We support adding inspectors, but that alone is not enough. A UNR study released this year suggests that airborne mercury levels are much higher than have been previously reported and that mercury levels also were high in mine tailings, rock dumps and leech heaps - areas not measured under the state's requirements.

The best way to ultimately ensure a reduction in mercury levels is to set limits and deadlines and mandate strict adherence to them.