The Eagle Mine is an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Superfund Site. The ERWC monitors the site, but does not conduct the clean up. ERWC - Eagle Mine Limited is a separate non-profit organization created for participating in clean up efforts.
A brief overview of the Superfund project is available below. To see what the ERWC is doing, visit our Monitoring page.
- Eagle/Gilman Mine south of Minturn along Highway 24
- 235-acre site includes...
- Eagle Mine workings,
- the town of Gilman,
- eight former mine tailings piles,
- Rock Creek Canyon below Highway 24, and
- at least 14 waste rock piles
- Heavy metals such as lead, zinc, cadmium, arsenic, and maganese contaminated Eagle River
- Contamination killed fish
- Contamination threatened Minturn drinking wells
- Plug mine portals to flood the mine workings
- Collect and treat mine and groundwater in a newly constructed treatment plant
- Remove, consolidate and cap tailings materials and
- Replant removal areas and capped soils
- Assessing health risks in the middle school and Minturn area
- Ordering the cleanup and reconstruction of the wetlands area
- Removing hazardous materials from the mine Site
- Pumping and treating groundwater and
- Tightening cleanup standards on the Eagle River
Partners:
This site is one of the "Superfund" hazardous waste sites in Colorado. A site qualifies for the National Priorities List (NPL or Superfund list) when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines there is a release or threatened release of hazardous substances that may endanger public health, welfare or the environment. In Colorado, the lead agency for Superfund remediation may be either the EPA or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
The grant to provide public information regarding the Eagle Mine Superfund Site was initially sought by the Eagle River Watershed Council. Due to EPA rules regarding Technical Assistance Grants, it became necessary to form a separate non-profit corporation from the Eagle River Watershed Council. EML is that separate nonprofit corporation. ERWC - Eagle Mine Ltd. (EML) was formed to accept a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) from the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Water Quality in the Eagle River below the Eagle Mine is impaired by high levels of zinc, copper, and cadmium, which impair aquatic life. Currently the River from Red Cliff to the confluence with Gore Creek and through the Eagle Mine Site supports a Brown Trout population which is somewhat impaired by concentrations of these heavy metals. Water quality in this reach does not meet the table value standards for Cold Water Aquatic life (Class 1) set by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission with regard to these heavy metals. As a result, sculpin do not inhabit the Eagle River from Belden downstream to the confluence with Gore Creek. Very few rainbow trout are found in this same river reach.
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On June 9, 2008 the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission held a Public Rulemaking Hearing to reconsider water quality standards in the Colorado River basin, including the Eagle River. The water quality standards adopted by the Commission will be a pertinent issue in the 5 year review of Superfund Site activities.In the 5 year Superfund site review, CBS, as a responsible party, and the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division will attempt to arrive at an agreement that defines future cleanup that will be required. In these negotiations, the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division seeks further cleanup activities that are expected to result in a reduction of zinc loading to the River of between 37 and 41 pounds per day. Current zinc loading is approximately 120 pounds per day, thus the proposed further action will likely cause a 33% reduction.
While this level of reduction will certainly cause an improved aquatic environment and healthier brown trout population, it is not expected that water quality will be improved to the extent necessary for the Eagle River to support a healthy rainbow trout population in the reach between the Eagle Mine and Gore Creek.
For a simple explanation of how mining activities affect water quality, read a paper prepared by Wendy Naugle of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for school children.
Download the slide presentation prepared by John Wooding Ph.D. on how zinc concentrations in the River affect fish population and health.
On July 29, 2008, EPA, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, and ERWC Eagle Mine Ltd. conducted a tour of the Eagle MIne Superfund site. A breafing document for the tour prepared by Warren Smith of CDPHE is attached as "Eagle Mine Superfund Site Tour, July 29, 2008"
The Eagle Mine Annual Report - 2008 prepared for CBS Operations Inc by NewFields provides a summary of environmental data collected during 2008. The report also summarizes design, construction, inspection, operation, maintence, and community relations activities conducted in 2008.
A preliminary Ground Water and Surface Water Monitoring Plan for 2009 describes the monitoring which is anticipated to be conducted to further identify the sources of metals pollution to the Eagle River. Data collected will likely contribute to the identification of future remedial cleanup activities.
The Statement of Work for 2009 provides a plan for analysis of alternative remedial actions for reducing the loading of zinc and other heavy metals to the Eagle River.
The Eagle Mine Site - Belden Groundwater Extraction System Performance Report provides information on how an experimental groundwater extraction has performed. Movement of groundwater into the stream is beleived to be a signifiacnt source of the loading of heavy metals, particularly following snowmelt at the mine site.
Why Do We Monitor Fish Populations Along the Eagle? To find out why follow this link:
Fish Monitoring
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CONSOLIDATED TAILINGS PILE REMEDIATION
1989 (Before)
1999 (After)
ROASTER PILE #1 REMEDIATION
1988 (Before)
1994 (After)
ROASTER PILE #3 REMEDIATION
1988 (Before)
1994 (After)
OLD TAILINGS PILE AND REX FLATS REMEDIATION
1989 (Before)
1999 (After)
MALOIT PARK WETLANDS REMEDIATION
1988 (Before)
After
Information found on EPA and CDPHE websites.
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