ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE CONTESTING STATE WATER REGULATIONS THAT ADDRESS GROUNDWATER POLLUTION BY COPPER MINES. THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS IN THE CASE NEXT MONTH.
THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT SAYS STATE REGULATIONS ARE AMONG THE TOUGHEST IN THE WESTERN U-S. BUT OPPONENTS SAY THE RULES, ADOPTED IN 2013, GIVE MINING COMPANIES TOO MUCH LEEWAY TO POLLUTE GROUNDWATER.
