Thank you for your enquiry. The Office of Environment and Heritage
(OEH) and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will respond
to simple requests and enquiries within 5 working days. For enquiries
or requests that are more involved or technical, a longer response
time may be necessary. If you have not already visited our websites
and wish to do so, please go
to [1]www.environment.nsw.gov.au or [2]www.epa.nsw.gov.au
If you are emailing to report an urgent pollution incident, please
call 131 555 (press option 1).
Please note that in sending us an email, we will record your email
address for the purpose of responding to your enquiry. If your email
requires a transaction or another more detailed service, we may
record the personal details you supply, or request further details
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this is not necessary you can request your details remain anonymous
or confidential. Details of our Privacy information can be found on
the website at [3]www.environment.nsw.gov.au/whoweare/privacy.htm.
When sending further emails about this topic (Government Information
(Public Access) request - protection for Liverpool Plains farmers
with Watermark Mining influencing quality of land & waterr), please
ensure the following extended Reference Id appears anywhere in the
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References

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1. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/
2. http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/
3. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/whowea...

Dear Mr Hardiman,

Thank you for your recent enquiry through the Right to Know website.  The
NSW Environment Protection Authority issues Environment Protection
Licences to scheduled premises such as mines, with strict legally
enforceable conditions designed to protect the community and environment.
The EPA monitors compliance with the conditions and takes appropriate
action for licence breaches.

However, the EPA’s role does not encompass the regulation and approval of
water access.  For information on how water access is administered in NSW
please see:
 
[1]https://www.waternsw.com.au/about/newsro....
 
For specific information about how provision for the mine’s access to
groundwater has been considered in the context of maintaining other users
existing access rights, please contact the Department of Industry’s Office
of Water.

There is detailed information about the Watermark Coal Project on the
Department of Planning and Environment's Major Project website, including
the groundwater impact assessment, agricultural impact statement and also
the EPA’s submission on the Environmental Impact Statement:
[2]http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au...
 
The Shenhua Watermark project is yet to commence, and the company is yet
to apply for an Environment Protection Licence which the EPA will use to
regulate the site to ensure compliance with the conditions of the project
approval with respect to water, noise, blasting and air emissions from the
site.
 
If you require further information about the project I recommend making an
enquiry with Department of Planning and Environment:
[3]https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Contact-Us
 
 For more information about Environment Protection Licences please see:
[4]https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and...

I am advised by the Right to Information team that your enquiry through
the Right to Know website does not constitute a formal request for
information under the GIPA Act.  For more information about obtaining
information from EPA under the GIPA Act please see:
[5]https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/about-us/acce...

Alice
Senior Information Officer
Office of Environment and Heritage NSW (OEH)
And NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
Ph 131555
[EPA request email]
[email address]
Follow us on twitter for the latest news and media release alerts @NSW_EPA

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Dear Rickie Hardiman,

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Office of Environment and Heritage matter. Reports and interactions with
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Environment Line

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References

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1. https://nswepa.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/for...
2. https://nswepa.au1.qualtrics.com/CP/Regi...