Letter: What is practicable?

As a Tucson resident, I am concerned that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has given Hudbay permission to proceed with the Copper World Mine, saying that the company will meet state requirements "to the greatest degree that's practicable." Practicable for whom? Practicable for shareholders because it give them a good return? Practicable for residents near affected areas in spite of potentially polluted ground water or lack of water itself? Practicable for wildlife which must translocate from their longstanding homeland through demolished terrain in search of a safe new environment? Practicable for water management experts and officials who must scramble to assure enough pure and healthy water to sustain the population?

Words are important. "Practicable" is a word with fluid meaning according to the entity using it. Its use in legal documents should be avoided or at least clarified.

Delores Keahey

East side