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EPA, Colorado release two plans for Eagle Mine reclamation
Before and after EPA reclamation in the late 80s and early 90s (EPA photo).
The EPA and the state of Colorado on Wednesday announced two possible plans for ongoing remediation of the Eagle Mine Superfund Site that for decades has drained heavy metals into the upper reaches of the Eagle River in Eagle County.
The Eagle Mine is considered an EPA Superfund Cleanup success story after reclamation efforts in the 1980s and 1990s returned the upper Eagle to a viable riparian area with relatively healthy aquatic life after decades of mining waste reduced it to an orange-flowing Colorado River tributary of mining sludge. But toxic heavy metal flows continue to this day.
Both the EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are seeking public input. Here’s the full press release from the regional office of the EPA, including contact information for comments on the two plans:
EPA and State of Colorado release proposed plans for cleanup at the Eagle mine site
(Denver, Colo. – 6/28/2017) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) today released two Proposed Plans for environmental remediation at the Eagle Mine Superfund Site. Both Proposed Plans focus on further reducing heavy metal contamination created by nearly one hundred years of mining activity at the site.
“The cleanup proposals represent both EPA and CDPHE’s commitment to protect human health and the environment at the Eagle Mine Superfund Site,” said Acting Regional Administrator Deb Thomas. “These plans also highlight EPA’s commitment to bringing contaminated lands back to health and reuse.”
The Eagle Mine Superfund Site is located in Eagle County, Colorado. The site is defined as the area impacted by past mining activity along and including the Eagle River between the towns of Red Cliff and Minturn. Mining activities at the Eagle Mine began in 1879 and continued until 1984. EPA listed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL), commonly known as the list of Superfund Sites, in 1986 because of the mine metals discharge, uncontrolled mine waste piles and the close proximity of the population to the mine and associated features. To better manage the site, EPA divided it into operable units (OUs). OU1 focuses on protecting surface water by reducing metals loading from the site to the Eagle River. OU2 focuses on potential human health risks from contaminated soils in the abandoned company town of Gilman. OU3 focuses on soil remediation necessary to protect human health due to planned future development by the current landowner.
EPA issued a final Record of Decision (ROD) for OU1 in 1993 and a final ROD for OU2 in 1998. Over the years, all required environmental cleanup work has occurred at the Eagle Mine Superfund Site under a number of state and federal directives. Response actions at the site addressed the major sources of metals contamination to the Eagle River, including the old and new tailings pile, rex flats and various roaster waste piles near Belden. In 2001, EPA declared all cleanup construction activities complete at the Eagle Mine Superfund Site, except for ongoing operation and maintenance of remedial features like the water treatment plant. Remediation conducted to-date resulted in significant improvement in water quality and reduction in risk to human health and the environment. Continued operation of the existing remedy, including drawdown from the mine pool and treatment at the water treatment plant, is required to maintain this condition. Contaminant concentrations in surface water and groundwater have decreased, and the aquatic ecosystem continues to show signs of recovery.
In 2009, water quality standards established by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission specifically for the Eagle Mine site became effective. Water quality monitoring in the Eagle River revealed that the water quality standards for cadmium, copper and zinc are not attained in March and April of most years. In response, the Proposed Plan released today for OU1 describes a number of alternatives designed to further reduce metals loading to the Eagle River. The preferred OU1 alternative includes the collection and treatment of groundwater from Belden and at the mouth of Rock Creek.
The Proposed Plan for OU3 presents cleanup alternatives focusing on soil remediation necessary to protect human health should future development occur. EPA created OU3, after a developer purchased a large portion of the Eagle Mine Superfund Site in 2004 with plans to develop the property into a private, residential community. The preferred alternative includes a combination of the following elements for areas at OU3 proposed for development: placing a soil exposure barrier; grading the site; placing institutional controls and conducting monitoring; and/or demolishing structures.
EPA and CDPHE will hold a public meeting on July 25, 2017, to explain the Proposed Plans and encourage public comments. The meeting will be held from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Colorado Mountain College, 150 Miller Ranch Road, Edwards, Colorado. Written and oral comments will be accepted at the meeting. The public may also comment at any time during the 45-day public comment period from June 28 – August 11, 2017 via mail or email. Written comments must be postmarked by August 11 and addressed to:
For OU1 – Ms.Wendy Naugle, On-Site Coordinator
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
For OU3 – Ms.Jamie Miller, Project Manager
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202
The Proposed Plans and more site information can be found at: https://www.colorado.gov/
The Proposed Plans and Administrative Records can be viewed at the following locations:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 8, Records Center
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202
Records may be viewed by appointment only –
call 303-312-6601
Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment Records Center
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246-1530
Minturn Town Hall
P.O. Box 309
302 Pine Street
Minturn, CO 81645
