On behalf of the board of directors of the Southwestern Water Conservation District, I would like to express our sincere concern for the Animas River ecosystem and all the water users affected by the Gold King Mine discharge.
The district, which encompasses the drainages from Pagosa Springs to Naturita, recognizes that metal-loading from abandoned and inactive mines has been one of the most significant regional water quality issues for decades. For more than 10 years, the district has provided substantial financial support to the Animas River Stakeholders Group to assist its efforts in mine remediation, including direct funding of water-quality monitoring below Silverton.
The Animas River Stakeholders Group, made up of volunteer community leaders, environmental organizations, and private and public partners, has worked transparently and collaboratively for 20 years to remediate old mine sites. The group’s success can be seen on Mineral Creek, where the effective use of limited resources and local expertise has resulted in a notable reduction in heavy-metals loading.
There’s no question this group has developed the site-specific knowledge, working relationships, and expertise to take on this water-quality challenge over the long term. As communities along the Animas River and the EPA work to address the consequences of this spill, we encourage them to take advantage of the local leadership of the Animas River Stakeholders Group.
Bruce Whitehead, executive director, Southwestern Water Conservation District
Durango
