As we look to starting work at Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site this year, the Bonita Peak site team would like to thank all those who are providing meaningful input and contributing to our work to identify and address contamination concerns.

The federal and state agencies at the site – Environmental Protection Agency, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management – will continue to solicit and value input from all interested parties throughout the cleanup process.

Specifically, as the Citizens Superfund Workgroup completes the development of its “citizen goals” for the site, we would like to thank all those that have participated over the last six months. We look forward to receiving their goals and recommendations, and we appreciate the Animas River Community Forum, Animas River Stakeholders Group, Animas Watershed Partnership and Trout Unlimited for organizing the series of Workgroup meetings.

Although not all the Workgroup recommendations can be implemented immediately, the site team will take them into account as work continues. Currently, the site team is investigating the nature and extent of contamination in the mining district through the remedial investigation.

EPA is also thoroughly assessing risks posed by that contamination to human health and the environment. When those investigations are completed, the site team will use the data gathered, as well as the input from the Workgroup, the Silverton/San Juan County Planning Group and other interested parties, to develop risk management strategies for the district. This iterative process will begin this year.

The site team is committed to active and meaningful engagement with all interested parties, and we will consider all local input and recommendations as we plan ongoing outreach activities at the site.

In May 2017, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt established a task force to identify strategies to improve the Superfund program. On Dec. 5, 2017, EPA released a list of Superfund sites that are targeted for immediate and intense attention. The Bonita Peak Mining District is included on this list as a site that will benefit from Administrator Pruitt’s direct engagement.

Christina Progess is EPA project manager for the Bonita Peak Mining District Site Team.