In August 2015, an unplanned release of acid mine drainage from the Gold King Mine turned the Animas River bright orange. It looked horrible – but thankfully, this orange plume was less damaging to human health and aquatic life than expected. It also led to local communities to support designation of the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site in 2016.
The Superfund site consists of 46 mine sites and two study areas in San Juan County, Colorado. The goals of the cleanup are to improve water quality, stabilize source areas and minimize unplanned releases. So, how has the cleanup progressed and where does the affected community stand nine years later?
The process of a Superfund site cleanup is dictated by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act – a congressionally mandated process of protecting human health and the environment by cleaning up contaminated sites; making responsible parties pay for cleanup work; involving communities in the Superfund process; and returning Superfund sites to productive use. The process is slow and scripted, often with little meaningful public involvement.
In 2019, citizens formed the Bonita Peak Community Advisory Group comprised of residents from La Plata and San Juan Counties in Colorado, and one person from New Mexico. The CAG serves as an informational conduit between the community and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The CAG focuses on feasible and practicable remediation outcomes that are protective of human health and the environment, conducted expeditiously and efficiently, and mindful of community cultural, social and economic interests. The CAG does this through public meetings and focused work group discussions with the EPA and other agencies.
In 2024, the CAG formed targeted work groups to have more in-depth conversations about remediation actions at the Superfund site. The CAG wanted to be that voice in the discussion that was not only concerned about remediation, but also the future of the site for the residents and visitors to the area.
One work group continues to sample in the Animas Canyon, and other areas of interest to current EPA work. Another work group is engaged in reviewing the Remedial Investigation (understanding the source of the problem, risks and impacts) at the Howardsville site above Silverton. This work group has pored over studies to be better informed and able to evaluate next steps in actions to clean up this area. Also in 2024, the CAG was able to participate as observers in external review of 23 minor mining sites identified in 2019 where some work was needed. The CAG was gratified to see that 21 of the 23 sites were addressed satisfactorily: a significant step in this long process.
What remains to be remedied are major sources of heavy metals. These include the stretch of the Animas River just above Silverton and the Howardsville to Eureka area where decades of waste rock have been deposited; as well as mines at the headwaters of Cement Creek (including the Gold King Mine). Cement Creek currently is the site of an interim water treatment plant that processes drainage from the Gold King Mine and releases clean water into the creek.
The CAG has a work group that toured mine-water treatment plants throughout the state to gain a better understanding of long-term treatment options. Questions to answer include: How much could be treated and at what cost? Can mine sources be treated in situ, i.e., in place in the mountain? How do bulkheads (huge concrete plugs in underground mine tunnels) affect mine drainage? Answering these questions will take several years; the CAG is hopeful that the best, cost-effective solutions will be found.
An informed CAG is an effective CAG. We work hard studying lengthy documents in the CERCLA process. We take seriously the task of understanding, asking questions, and keeping our community a safe and vibrant place into the future.
We welcome the public to our meetings. The next CAG meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. July 15 at the Santa Rita Wastewater Treatment Plant in Durango. More information is available from the EPA (epa.gov/bpmd) or the CAG (bonitapeakcag.org) websites. For more information or to subscribe to the e-newsletter, email: bonitapeakcag@gmail.com.
Chara Ragland, Ph.D., is chair of the Bonita Peak Community Advisory Group. She lives in Durango.
