June 2014 Executive Director’s Blog

As June has arrived and the weather finally warms, construction season is in full swing.  It is great to see mining activity across the entire state as 2014 shows signs of a very solid year. CSSGA remains very busy, as well.  With the recent roll out of the new website, information can be easily dispersed providing a more informed and interactive membership.  Our objective is to make items like registration, review of committee minutes, input on environmental or legislative issues more accessible and usable to your business.  Hopefully you find the website a useful tool in accomplishing these objectives. We are currently in the written comment period with the Colorado Department of Health & Environment (CDPHE) regarding the Water Quality Control Act for Sand & Gravel Mining Water Discharges.  This is being addressed with the assistance of our Land Use & Environment committee in a series of work sessions with producer members and CDPHE.  Comment period ends June 24th, by which time we will have several written recommendations into this agency, while working hand in hand with other like-minded associations like CAPA, CCA, and the Colorado Mining Association. Another critical environmental issue is the EPA proposed ruling for a change in definition of the “Water of the US”.  If proposed rules go into effect, the EPA will have greatly expanded their areas of influence to basically any and all waters, not just navigable waters.  We have worked to form an alliance with the CCA, Colorado Mining Association, Colorado Water Congress, and the Colorado HBA to push for a letter from the unified US Congressional elected officials opposing this change and keeping EPA limits where they are. With 2014 being an election year, our expanded Governmental Affairs Committee is in full swing.  Fundraising for our political action committee (Colorado Rock PAC) is critical to our efforts.  If you haven’t participated already, please consider a contribution to this effort.  Also, new this year, CSSGA has introduced the “Political Grassroots Program” which is intended to involve all levels of the workplace with educating the public about our industry, and electing business friendly candidates.  Please contact the association office for more information. In addition to focusing on these items, we are embarking on an updated Strategic Plan for CSSGA.  The previous plan is several years old and it is critical to our long term success to have a unified road map.  This process will include surveying our membership to ensure input, and develop a solid plan that continues to move us forward.  Please look for this on-line survey in the near future and participate with honest and open answers.  It is only with a clear understanding of the issues important to you, that we can develop and act on plans to address them.  Thank you.