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EPA extends Superfund public comment period

Additional information meeting planned in Farmington
The Gold King Mine spill, which released 3 million gallons of toxic sludge into Cement Creek on Aug. 5, 2015, led to a call for Superfund designation for the mining district near Silverton. On Thursday, the EPA extended the comment period on the proposal to place the Bonita Peak Mining District on the National Priorities List for cleanup.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday extended the public comment period on the proposed Superfund site in San Juan County to June 13.

The extension will give the public an additional week to comment on the Bonita Peak Mining District, which encompasses nearly 50 sites.

The site was placed on the Federal Register in April for consideration on the National Priorities List.

Rebecca Thomas, Superfund site manager, told La Plata County and Durango officials Wednesday that NPL placement for the Bonita Peak Mining District is a top priority, though there is some risk that it won’t make the list in November. She also hinted that the comment period would be extended.

“EPA is on track to finalize the NPL listing this fall, but ultimately the timeline is determined by the number and nature of comments received,” EPA spokeswoman Christie St. Clair said.

Comments can be submitted online at http://1.usa.gov/1UgvVaO.

As of Thursday, 19 comments had been submitted online and 16 of them were available for public view.

The EPA will hold an informational meeting and question-and-answer session on the proposed Superfund site on June 9 at San Juan College in Farmington. The meeting will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Henderson Fine Arts Building, 4601 College Blvd.

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