AZ HCM2005

Urges the EPA to extend the comment period for its proposed financial assurance rule for hardrock mining (docket EPA-HQ-SFUND-2015-0781) by at least 120 additional days beyond the initial 60-day period.

Objects to the proposed rule as duplicative of existing state and federal financial assurance programs, including Arizona's Aquifer Protection Permit Program and Mined Land Reclamation Program.

Argues that state and federal land management agencies have greater expertise and resources than the EPA to calculate appropriate financial assurance amounts for individual mining operations.

References opposition from the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, Western Governors Association, and Interstate Mining Compact Commission, all expressing concerns about the rule's impact on small mining firms and state regulatory authority.

Requests the EPA confer with Arizona regulators and federal land managers to evaluate whether existing programs adequately address CERCLA risks, and ultimately withdraw the proposed rule in favor of deferring regulation to existing state and federal programs.