The agency’s proposal, which was unveiled in January this year, includes protection of groundwater from the hazards of in-situ leach (ISL) uranium mining.
The rules would set standards for ISL mining process, which includes injecting fluids into western aquifers to dissolve uranium deposits.
According to the NRDC, the process results in significant contamination of aquifers by uranium and heavy metals.
NRDC senior attorney Geoffrey Fettus said: "It’s great to see draft rules that update inadequate regulations. The proposal sets standards for establishing baseline water quality before mining, for the restoration of the aquifers and for post-restoration monitoring for pollution.
"But these standards should be further strengthened by applying to each and every ISL mine, imposing strict restoration requirements based on the best-available science, and monitoring rigorously ISL mines that already have been shut down.”
