This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Consultation on groundwater regulations
20/08/2002
Scotland's multi-million pound mining and extraction industries will be examined during a consultation exercise, launched today.
The exercise is designed to seek the public's views on a draft code of practice, produced in consultation with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), representatives from the mining and mineral extraction industries, and local authority planners.
Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development Allan Wilson said:
"Groundwater is an important natural resource, not only in terms of drinking water supplies, but also to the wider aquatic environment, such as wetlands and rivers.
"Scotland is equally rich in mineral as well as water resources. Their extraction provides valuable employment, largely in rural areas and is an important contributor to the Scottish economy. However, from its very nature, mining and mineral extraction can pose threats to vulnerable groundwater, so it is important that proper precautions are taken to minimise the risks, and allow the industry to continue in a sustainable manner."
The draft code of practice is designed to offer advice to extraction sites on properly complying with guidelines from the Groundwater Regulations 1998, and also assist SEPA in exercising their powers to serve enforcement notices where these activities pose a threat to groundwater.
The consultation period will run until 22 November 2002.