Mining History. Gold Rush in Colorado 1850s. Acid Rock Drainage. Most mining prior to current environmental regs 1970s

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2 Presentation Outline Colorado and Mining Challenges to Addressing Health and Environmental Impacts Agencies and Partnerships Abandoned Mine Data Hub Draining Mines Water Quality Study Akron/Tomichi Creek Example Program Accomplishments

3 Mining History 3 Gold Rush in Colorado 1850s Acid Rock Drainage Most mining prior to current environmental regs 1970s Photo Credit San Juan County Historical Society

4 Scope Of Mining Impacts Mine Inventory 22,000 Mines/Features in Colorado Impacts to human health Soil exposure Drinking water Fish consumption Impacts to environment 1,800 stream miles impaired Fish Kills Wetlands

5 Barriers to Addressing Abandoned Mine Site Private and Public Land Ownership (Mixed Ownership) Jurisdictional Issues Stalled Assessment and Cleanup Cleanup of Individual Mines have Minimal Impact Primary Sources were not being Identified No single agency has regulatory authority

6 Agency Partners and Non-Profit Groups Partners contribution and workload sharing reduces use of EPA resources Federal Agencies US Forest Service Bureau of Land Management US Geological Survey National Park Service Bureau of Reclamation State Agencies State Geological Survey Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety Universities/Non-Profit Groups such as Universities, Trout Unlimited and Local Watershed Groups

7 Mixed Ownership Abandoned Mine Collaboration - Assessments Watershed approach where: Water quality or health concerns exist Projects are a priority for partners All partners participate in assessments Expertise, staffing and financial resources are shared.

8 Mixed Ownership Abandoned Mine Collaboration - Assessments Combined Assessments Create Actionable Data for all Participants Create Standardized Approach Results in Efficiencies and Cost Savings

9 Tools Cont d: ipad Field Screening Linked to GPS (Trimble) Field-Fillable Forms Fully automated export from ipad to printable EPA Forms Enables automated transfer of site details to partners for use in determining next steps (sampling, project leads, data needs, etc.)

10 Colorado Mine Impacted Streams Task Force Mine Impacted Streams Task Force: WQCD Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division Two Initiatives: Abandoned Mine Inventory Draining Mines Water Quality Study

11 Publicly available comprehensive interactive map of abandoned mine sites in Colorado

12 Draining Mines Study Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety & Water Quality Control Division partnership. Study championed by Governor Hickenlooper in 2016 state of the state address. Surveyed and sampled 145 mines (prioritized from 230). Mixed Mine Ownership - Assessment of the highest priority sites initiated in Summer

13 Mixed Ownership Abandoned Mine Collaboration - Cleanup Priority mine cleanups are identified Coordinated Enforcement Strategy Identification of lead agency for cleanup Joint mine waste repositories

14 Akron/Tomichi Before After

15 Akron Mine/Tomichi Mill - Collaboration Tools for Cleanup EPA Managed overall project/lead the environmental assessment, extensive collaboration, and documentation Colorado DRMS Conducted evaluation of mine workings, provided technical input on design USGS Provided/installed and evaluated data from automated field monitoring equipment; conducted fish survey Bureau of Reclamation Provided technical expertise for repository design CDPHE Provided technical support on drinking water EPA Contributed funding for excavation and removal of material on private property and transport to USFS repository USFS Contributed the property and funding for joint waste repository construction, restoration, and long-term maintenance USFWS Provided field planning and sampling assistance related to site characterization, Threatened & Endangered Species, wetland, fish surveys Trout Unlimited Provided post-monitoring assessment and restoration

16 Accomplishments Since 2007: Completed assessments in 16 watersheds resulting in 12 EPA/partner Cleanups and numerous other reclamation activities Creating inventories and setting priorities; Active Participation from local, state and federal partners, NGO s and the community watershed groups; Coordinated Cleanups on a multiprogram and multi-agency basis; Reducing metals loading and exposures to mine waste

17 Mary Murphy Mine Adit Akron Mine QUESTIONS?? Mosquito Gulch Perigo Mine Carribeau Mine Buckskin Joe Illinois Gulch