In response to the letter “Superfund cleanup needed downstream,” (Herald, May 28): The writer’s suggestion that Hermosa and Lightner creeks be added to the Superfund listing for the upper Animas is not only statutorily impossible, but also not grounded in fact.
In 2006, Hermosa Creek was awarded an “Outstanding Waters” designation from the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission for its pure natural water quality.
At that time, Hermosa was the only creek with this designation outside a wilderness area. This not only honors the creek’s purity but also ensures the water quality cannot be degraded in any way.
The Graysill Mine at the top of the watershed is not contributing any measurable contaminants, certainly nothing significant enough to warrant a Superfund action.
Hermosa Creek’s remarkable water quality was one of the primary reasons this community pursued the Hermosa Creek protection legislation – and succeeded. Recognizing Hermosa’s vital role in diluting any metals leaching into the Animas from higher up in the watershed, this community came together to support permanent protections that prevent any new mining in the Hermosa basin – forever.
Congress agreed with us and President Obama signed into law the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act.
Furthermore, the “unexplained murk” in Lightner Creek has been explained.
In 2012, the local Trout Unlimited chapter commissioned a hydro/geological study that revealed the vast majority of the sediment in Lightner is naturally occurring erosion from the Mancos shale in the hogsback and Perins Peak areas.
The Superfund law was enacted to address man-made toxic sites – such as those from the chemical, oil/gas and mining industries – that pose significant human health risks. It cannot be employed to deal with natural geologic processes such as that in the Lightner Creek basin.
Groups like the Animas River Stakeholders, Trout Unlimited, Mountain Studies Institute and the San Juan Basin Health Department are your local sources for accurate, science-based information, opportunities to participate, and a way to help our beloved Animas.
I urge this community to seek out these organizations and stay informed.
It’s important we not operate on hyperbole or assumption.
Ty Churchwell
Durango
