§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions are made by(a) his Department, (b) the Coal Authority and (c) the Environment Agency to monitor the incidence and effects of pollution from abandoned mines. [24804]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe responsibility for monitoring pollution from abandoned mines lies with the Environment Agency and, where appropriate, the Coal Authority or other owner or operator.
The Coal Authority monitors pumping at 11 pumping stations, mainly in County Durham. It also measures underground water levels at a number of locations throughout the country. It has carried out pumping trials at more than one location.
The Environment Agency has an extensive chemical and microbiological monitoring programme for the general assessment of the quality of surface waters in England and Wales. Some 60,000 samples are taken each year for chemical analysis. River stretches affected by minewater discharges will be identified and assessed within this programme, each stretch being sampled 12 times per annum. In parallel with the system for the monitoring of controlled waters, the routine sampling of major discharges takes place approximately four times a year.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what treatment methods other than pumping are currently in use to deal with polluted minewater from abandoned mines; where each is in use; how long it has been in use; and what assessment has been made of its effectiveness. [24803]
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§ Mr. ClappisonThere are around 10 small-scale pilot treatment projects in England and Wales, which use chemical and physical methods to treat minewaters. These include those on the River Pelenna in south Wales, at Woolley colliery near Barnsley, and at the Wheal Jane tin mine in Cornwall. The Coal Authority is also looking at best practice in the use of treatment methods.
The Environment Agency routinely monitors the principal discharges from these treatment projects, but is too early to make a precise assessment of the effectiveness of the methods used.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the measures which the Environment Agency is evaluating to deal with pollution from abandoned mines. [24801]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe agency monitors surface waters and principal discharges from abandoned mines and undertakes environmental assessments. It is currently funding research, and monitoring the research of others, into a range of treatment methods.
The measures in the Environment Act 1995 relating to abandoned mines will enhance the agency's ability to ensure that this aspect of water pollution is addressed.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the regulations on the six-month notification period for the abandonment of mines. [24797]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department is in discussion with the Environment Agency and other interested parties on the content of these regulations. It is intended that a consultation paper on the regulations will be issued very soon.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been set aside by(a) the Coal Authority and (b) the Environment Agency for pumping of minewater from abandoned mines in the current financial year and for the next three years. [24799]
§ Mr. ClappisonIn the current year, the Coal Authority has set aside £1.2 million for the costs of electricity for pumping and £0.66 million for maintenance of pumping stations, amounting to a total of £1.9 million. It is likely that the budget for future years will be of a similar order, but will depend on future liabilities or potential savings.
The agency has resources of up to £2 million per annum to cover the cost of pumping and treatment of minewater from Wheal Jane, and expects to spend around £6 million over the three years 1996–97 to 1998–99. It has made no other financial provision for dealing with pumping costs, which would normally be borne by the relevant owner or operator.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each abandoned mine where pumping of minewater is currently taking place in order to prevent pollution and the date that the mine was abandoned. [24802]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe mines where pumping of minewater is taking place to prevent pollution of controlled waters are as follows:376W
Name of mine Date of abandonment Kimblesworth 1968 Kibblesworth 1976 Ushaw Moor 1961 Page Bank pre 1947 Vinovium pre 1947 Chester Moor 1968 Nicholson pre 1947 Lumley 6th 1966 Sherburn Hill 1966 Wooley 1987 Mid Cannock 1967 Wheal Jane 1991
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each abandoned mine where pumping of minewater ceased and was subsequently reinstated, with the dates of cessation and reinstatement. [24798]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe mines where intentional cessation and reinstatement of pumping has taken place are as follows
Mid Cannock—pumping ceased on 16 May 1995, and was restarted on 13 September 1995Ushaw Moor—pumping ceased on 10 October 1995, and was restarted on 18 January 1996These were temporary cessations which formed part of a process of information gathering by the Coal Authority, and were implemented in consultation with the former National Rivers Authority.