DOCSLIB.ORG

Answers T O Superfund

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Answers T O Superfund ANSWERS TO SUPERFUND A PUBLICA TION OF THE C L A RK F ORK WA TERSHED E DUCA TION PROGRA M THE MOUNTAIN CON MINE YARD (FOREMAN’S PARK) PHOTO COURTESY OF CFWEP.ORG HOW DID THE CLARK FORK BECOME A SUPERFUND SITE? BY RAYELYNN CONNOLE he history of mining in the the entire camp. Furthermore, The rampant depositing of Mining continued in Butte TClark Fork Watershed be- tailings, the flour-like, acid- wastes throughout the Summit with underground mining even- gins with the discovery of gold producing mine wastes that and the Deer Lodge valleys tually giving way to open pit in Silver Bow Creek near Butte result from milling the ore, was further compounded by mining in the 1950’s. In 1977, in 1864. Gold mining in Butte were discharged into Silver an unprecedented 100-year the Anaconda Company was was rather short-lived; in fact, Bow Creek. For more than 100 flood in 1908. This flood car- bought by the big oil company, many historians reflect that the years, Silver Bow Creek was an ried tailings wastes from Butte Atlantic Richfield Company Butte camp was nearly a ghost open industrial sewer, being and Anaconda, and from the (ARCO). In 1980, ARCO closed town before the great copper used as a transport system for sediments of Silver Bow Creek the Anaconda Smelter, mark- boom of the 1880’s. The de- sending these tailings waste and Warm Springs Creek, and ing the beginning of ARCO’s mand for Butte’s copper ores downstream. spread them throughout the exit from mining. The Berkeley during the 1880’s was fueled by Solid mine wastes were not Clark Fork Watershed. The Pit ended operations in 1982, our country’s thirst for electric- the only contaminants being flood deposited millions of and by 1983, ARCO had ceased ity during the industrial age. spread throughout the Clark cubic yards of tailings along operations in Butte complete- This demand created great Fork Watershed. There was the river’s bed, banks and ly. In 1983, ARCO shut off the wealth within the watershed, also contamination from the flood plains before being pumps in the Kelley Mine, al- spreading beyond Butte to the toxic smoke that was produced stopped by William A. Clark’s lowing the Berkeley Pit to fill. communities of Anaconda, by the burning of the crushed newly constructed Milltown Superfund law (CERCLA) Deer Lodge, Bonner, and ore. The smelters of Butte, Hydroelectric Dam. was born in 1980 after years Missoula. The mining work- and later Anaconda, produced For over 100 years, the ar- of environmental disasters force numbered in the thou- many tons of airborne arsenic eas of Silver Bow Creek and around the United States sands and the economies that and sulfur every day. This tox- the Clark Fork River remained caused by industrial and natu- supported the mines thrived. ic smoke was such a big prob- battle scarred. The banks of ral resource activities. In 1983, With all the underground lem during the early days of Silver Bow Creek were acidic just three years after the law mining came great amounts of mining, and the air quality of and covered with yellow ‘sand’ was passed, the Upper Clark waste. In the late 1880’s and Butte and Anaconda was so le- that allowed nothing to grow. Fork Superfund Site was des- early 1900’s environmental thal to residents, that the first Depositional areas along the ignated. The State of Montana regulations were virtually non- city ordinance to address mine Clark Fork were named ‘slick- filed its complaint against existent, allowing the wastes waste pollution was specifically ens’ by the ranchers because of ARCO in 1983 for the histor- to be spread throughout the linked to air pollution. In 1890 the tendency for the tailings to ic damages to our watershed. cities of Butte and Anaconda. a city ordinance was enacted The series of settlements from be slick when wet. The ranchers Mining companies dumped that banned open heap roast- this suit marked the beginning had to fence these slickens areas waste rock all over the Summit ing (burning ore in the open) of the era of Superfund in the Valley, creating acres of highly in order to minimize the harm off from their cattle because of Clark Fork Watershed. acidic materials throughout caused by the smoke. how harmful they were. THE DIRECTOR'S LETTER RAYELYNN CONNOLE ANSWERS TO SUPERFUND VOLUME II This is the second edition of Answers to Superfund. Our first edition was published several years ago and much has THE MONTANA STEWARD AND ANSWERS TO SUPERFUND ARE PRODUCED BY changed since that time, not the least of which is that our THE CLARK FORK WATERSHED EDUCATION PROGRAM (CFWEP.ORG) then Director, Matt Vincent, is currently Butte Silver-Bow’s Chief Executive. In this edition, we hope to provide an up- date on the progress of cleanup and management at the var- ious sites, offer a deeper understanding of the Superfund Program, connect citizens to project leaders, and reflect on the legacy we wish to create here in western Montana. When the Environmental Protection Agency listed the Clark Fork Watershed as a Superfund site in 1983, many residents of the basin found the label controversial and worrisome. Many wondered if our communities would ever recover from the moniker, “Largest Superfund Site in the Country.” Some leaders and politicians hoped that Butte and Anaconda would distance themselves from the fact that our communities were listed on the National Priorities List for cleanup, claiming that economic development and growth would be stifled by this label. Fast forward thirty plus years to the present day and one will find that there is still worry and controversy about Su- perfund. However, these worries have shifted. Today, our citizenry is concerned with ensuring the best possible clean- up, one that leaves a legacy of human and environmental health, and, yes, also economic growth and development that includes healthy mining practices. The economic im- pact of our watershed’s green-collar jobs within the clean- up and environmental engineering sectors are equal to the impact of jobs in the mining sector. Thirty years ago, few dreamed that such an economic reality would come to pass. In many ways, the communities of the Clark Fork Water- shed are lucky to be listed and have a responsible party who paid damages to the citizens of Montana for cleanup. As you will see within this issue, not all Superfund sites have this advantage. Superfund law has changed greatly in the past thirty years. Most notably and ironically, Superfund itself is not funded. How did concerned, civically engaged, well- Map created by evan norMan, informed citizens allow this to happen? data coMpiled & synthesized by chris doyle Butte residents know that despite our worries, despite our disagreements, and despite our frustrations with the agen- cies, having an Environmental Protection Agency, a state Department of Environmental Quality, and concerned citi- THIS TRAVEL AND DENSITY OUTREACH MAP illustrates the dis- tribution of programming provided by the Clark Fork Watershed zens is critical for gaining the funding to complete the work Education Program (Cfwep.Org) throughout the state of Montana. needed to help a watershed heal itself post environmental Since our inception in 2005, Cfwep.Org has expanded to these many disaster. What would the communities of the Clark Fork regions of the Clark Fork Watershed and the State of Montana with Watershed have been like without a Superfund? Perhaps it our extensive educational programs, professional development op- is time to reflect and be grateful that we had excellent local portunities, camps, festivals, watershed days and community ser- and state leaders who foresaw the necessity of Superfund vice events. Through our programming efforts, we have reached over status, engaged in listing our area immediately, and re- 40,000 students to date. We recognized that in order to fulfill our mained at the helm to see this clean-up through to the end. mission to create a legacy of stewardship, teachers were key. Our teacher professional development programs have grown with grant We can all agree that not everything has been done perfect- support and now span statewide. Our current projects are spon- ly, but today we have the means and the knowledge to work sored by the Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP), the Office toward the best possible outcomes. Cfwep.Org is uniquely of Public Instruction (OPI) and the National Institutes of Health, not a political group nor an advocacy group. However, we Science Education Partnership Award (NIH-SEPA), as well as local believe that an educated and informed citizenry is critical to contracts and foundation gifts. We are able to continue to fulfill our this process. Our work ends at the information and educa- mission statement of creating environmental stewards with our highly tion stage. Your work begins once you know the facts. Please qualified staff team, generous partners and dedicated volunteers. For engage in the conversations about your communities. Work more information about what our organization is about, check out with your civic leaders to shape the legacy you wish to see our website at www.cfwep.org. To volunteer or donate for one of our in this watershed. We hope for a balanced legacy of healthy events, please contact Abby Peltomaa at [email protected] or mining and a healthy environment. Stay informed. We all 406-496-4790. make better decisions when we have good information. This publication s content is the result of collabora- ’ CFWEP STAFF tive efforts between many passionate and dedicated PUBLICATION EDITORS individuals. Each member of the Cfwep.Org staff team Arlene Alvarado, contributed time and effort to bring this guide to life.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • United States District Court
    UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION ____________________________________________ ) THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) THE STATES OF COLORADO, OKLAHOMA, ) MISSOURI, KANSAS, ILLINOIS, MONTANA, ) and TENNESEE, and THE EASTERN SHAWNEE ) TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA, THE OTTAWA TRIBE ) OF OKLAHOMA, THE PEORIA TRIBE OF ) INDIANS OF OKLAHOMA, THE SENECA- ) CAYUGA NATION, THE WYANDOTTE NATION, ) THE MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA, ) and THE CHEROKEE NATION, ) Civil No. 3:18-cv-5097 ) Plaintiffs, ) ) v. ) NOTICE OF LODGING OF ) CONSENT DECREE BLUE TEE CORP., BROWN STRAUSS, INC., ) DAVID P. ALLDIAN, RICHARD A. SECRIST, ) and WILLIAM M. KELLY, ) ) Defendants. ) ____________________________________________) Plaintiff, the United States of America, respectfully informs the Court and all parties of the lodging of a consent decree in the above-captioned case. The proposed Decree is attached to this Notice as Exhibit A and no other action is required by the Court at this time. Final approval by the United States and entry of the consent decree is subject to the Department of Justice's requirements set forth at 28 C.F.R. § 50.7 which provides, inter alia, for notice of the lodging of these consent decrees in the Federal Register, an opportunity for public comment, and consideration of any comments. - 1 - Case 3:18-cv-05097-DPR Document 2 Filed 10/31/18 Page 1 of 3 After the close of the comment period and review of any new information by the Department of Justice, we will contact the Court with respect to any future action regarding the entry of this Consent Decree. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: JEFFREY H.
    [Show full text]
  • Health Consultation
    Health Consultation Evaluation of Residential Soil Arsenic Action Level ANACONDA CO. SMELTER NPL SITE ANACONDA, DEER LODGE COUNTY, MONTANA EPA FACILITY ID: MTD093291656 OCTOBER 19, 2007 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Division of Health Assessment and Consultation Atlanta, Georgia 30333 Health Consultation: A Note of Explanation An ATSDR health consultation is a verbal or written response from ATSDR to a specific request for information about health risks related to a specific site, a chemical release, or the presence of hazardous material. In order to prevent or mitigate exposures, a consultation may lead to specific actions, such as restricting use of or replacing water supplies; intensifying environmental sampling; restricting site access; or removing the contaminated material. In addition, consultations may recommend additional public health actions, such as conducting health surveillance activities to evaluate exposure or trends in adverse health outcomes; conducting biological indicators of exposure studies to assess exposure; and providing health education for health care providers and community members. This concludes the health consultation process for this site, unless additional information is obtained by ATSDR which, in the Agency’s opinion, indicates a need to revise or append the conclusions previously issued. You May Contact ATSDR TOLL FREE at 1-800-CDC-INFO or Visit our Home Page at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov HEALTH CONSULTATION Evaluation of Residential Soil Arsenic Action Level ANACONDA CO. SMELTER NPL SITE ANACONDA, DEER LODGE COUNTY, MONTANA EPA FACILITY ID: MTD093291656 Prepared By: US Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry Division of Health Assessment and Consultation Atlanta, Georgia 30333 Anaconda Co.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of 2008 Settlement of Clark Fork River Remediation and Natural Resource Damages Claims and Related Restoration Plans
    MONTANA DEPARTMENT Helping to Restore, Replace, and Preserve OF JUSTICE NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE PROGRAM 1301 LOCKEY AVE PO BOX 201425 the Natural Resources of Montana HELENA, MT 59620-1425 (406) 444-0205 Summary of 2008 Settlement of Clark Fork River Remediation and Natural Resource Damages Claims and Related Restoration Plans Introduction The State of Montana, the United States, and Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) have negotiated a new Consent Decree (CD) that will settle certain litigation, provide for the funding of the remedial action at the Clark Fork River (CFR) Operable Unit and provide for certain restoration actions at the three sites where the State has pending natural resource damages (NRD) claims, namely the Clark Fork River, Butte Area One, and the Smelter Hill Uplands. This CD was lodged with the federal court on February 7, 2008. There is also a second consent decree, involving only the State and ARCO, which was lodged at the same time. Public comment is being sought on this settlement. As part of this settlement, ARCO is paying the State approximately $168 million. ARCO is paying about $95 million for the remedial cleanup provided for in the EPA 2004 Record of Decision for the CFR site; this includes about $11.7 million in interest accruing since April of 2006. The remedial payment settles EPA and the State’s claims for response costs at the site, and will provide for DEQ implementation of the remedy with EPA oversight. The remediation payment will be made in two payments, one year apart; the first payment will most likely be in August or September 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Ground-Water Flow Model of the Boone Formation at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma and Kansas
    Ground-Water Flow Model of the Boone Formation at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma and Kansas Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5097 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Front cover: View looking west from top of chat pile on east side of the town of Picher, Okla- homa, overlooking the town and the adjacent chat piles derived from decades of lead-zinc mining. Photograph by John B. Czarnecki, U.S. Geological Survey. Ground-Water Flow Model of the Boone Formation at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma and Kansas By T.B. Reed and John B. Czarnecki Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5097 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior P. Lynn Scarlett, Acting Secretary U.S. Geological Survey P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006 For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to repro- duce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. iii Contents Abstract.....................................................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Past and Present Conditions of the Tri-State Mining District
    BearWorks MSU Graduate Theses Summer 2020 The Legacy of Mining in Southwest Missouri: Past and Present Conditions of the Tri-State Mining District Anastasia M C McClanahan Missouri State University, [email protected] As with any intellectual project, the content and views expressed in this thesis may be considered objectionable by some readers. However, this student-scholar’s work has been judged to have academic value by the student’s thesis committee members trained in the discipline. The content and views expressed in this thesis are those of the student-scholar and are not endorsed by Missouri State University, its Graduate College, or its employees. Follow this and additional works at: https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses Part of the Environmental Chemistry Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Geochemistry Commons, Geology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Other Earth Sciences Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Soil Science Commons, Sustainability Commons, and the Water Resource Management Commons Recommended Citation McClanahan, Anastasia M C, "The Legacy of Mining in Southwest Missouri: Past and Present Conditions of the Tri-State Mining District" (2020). MSU Graduate Theses. 3556. https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3556 This article or document was made available through BearWorks, the institutional repository of Missouri State University. The work contained in it may be protected by
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing Macroinvertebrate Community Recovery in Post Restoration Silver Bow Creek, Montana
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2010 Assessing Macroinvertebrate Community Recovery in Post Restoration Silver Bow Creek, Montana Sean Patrick Sullivan The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Sullivan, Sean Patrick, "Assessing Macroinvertebrate Community Recovery in Post Restoration Silver Bow Creek, Montana" (2010). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 64. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/64 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ASSESSING MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY RECOVERY IN POST RESTORATION SILVER BOW CREEK, MONTANA By SEAN PATRICK SULLIVAN Bachelor of Arts, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 2003 Thesis Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2010 Approved by: Perry Brown, Associate Provost for Graduate Education Graduate School Dr. Vicki Watson Committee Chair Environmental Studies Dr. Lisa Eby Wildlife Biology Dr. Solomon Harrar Mathematical Sciences Sullivan, Sean, Master of Science, Spring 2010 Environmental Studies ASSESSING MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY RECOVERY IN POST RESTORATION SILVER BOW CREEK, MONTANA Chairperson: Dr. Vicki Watson Since the turn of the twentieth century, mining activities have contaminated the floodplain and streambed of Silver Bow Creek, Montana, resulting in a streambed devoid of life and severely contaminated with heavy metals.
    [Show full text]
  • Mineralogy and Environmental Geochemistry of Slag in Lower Area One, Butte, Montana" (2016)
    Montana Tech Library Digital Commons @ Montana Tech Graduate Theses & Non-Theses Student Scholarship Spring 2016 MINERALOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF SLAG IN LOWER AREA ONE, BUTTE, ONTM ANA Jenna Kaplan Montana Tech of the University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/grad_rsch Part of the Geochemistry Commons Recommended Citation Kaplan, Jenna, "MINERALOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF SLAG IN LOWER AREA ONE, BUTTE, MONTANA" (2016). Graduate Theses & Non-Theses. 79. http://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/grad_rsch/79 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at Digital Commons @ Montana Tech. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses & Non-Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Montana Tech. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MINERALOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF SLAG IN LOWER AREA ONE, BUTTE, MONTANA by Jenna Kaplan A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geoscience Montana Tech 2016 ii Abstract Butte, Montana is the host to a Cu-Mo porphyry deposit and has been a location of mining interest since 1864. Once copper ore is removed from this deposit it goes through a smelting process. Copper smelting processes consist of roasting, smelting, concentrating, and fire refining. During smelting, metals are separated from the waste, or gangue material. Slag is the waste material from these processes. Non-ferrous slag, such as a copper ore, removes iron and silica from the original ore. There is much interest in slag postproduction for there is often still a significant weight percent of metals trapped within a silica matrix.
    [Show full text]
  • Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site
    BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency January 2018 322 East Front Street, Suite 200 Boise, ID 83702 (208) 345-5310 Contents Section Page Acronyms and Abbreviations ..............................................................................................................vii 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose and Need ............................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Background ...................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site ................................................................... 1-2 1.3.1 Mine Flooding/Berkeley Pit OU (OU 3) ............................................................... 1-3 1.3.2 Butte Priority Soils OU (OU 8) ............................................................................. 1-5 1.3.3 West Side Soils OU (OU13) ................................................................................. 1-6 1.3.4 Streamside Tailings OU (OU 1) ............................................................................ 1-6 1.3.5 Rocker Timber Framing and Treatment Plant OU (OU7) .................................... 1-9 1.3.6 Warm Springs Ponds Active Area Operable Unit (OU4) and Inactive Area Operable Unit (OU12) (WSPAAOU and WSPIAAOU)
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Anaconda Edition
    Volume 7, Issue 1 cfwep.org A Publication of the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program July, 2019 AnacondaAnaconda Remediation and Mount Haggin Waste Voices from the Watershed: Restoration Update Management Area Anaconda Students Page 5 Page 10 Page 12 AnacondaThis is part two in our watershed series. For the Headwaters Edition Edition see cfwep.org/montana-steward A view of Mount Haggin and Anaconda from Stucky Ridge. Photo by Kayla Lappin. Ask Dr. A: What is the Origin of the Town of Anaconda Dr. Arlene Alvarado Located in southwest Montana in Deer Lodge the “copper kings,” founded the town for his soldier of the Civil War, was inspired by Valley at the foot of the Anaconda Range employees to work at the Washoe Smelter, Horace Greeley, who said, “go west, young (locally known as the Pintler’s), Anaconda is refining the copper ore extracted from man.” And westward Hickey headed, a small town, spanning just 737 square miles. Daly’s Anaconda Mine in Butte. In the mid- bringing with him another Greeley quote Presently, she is home to about 9,100 residents, 1890’s, Daly unsuccessfully campaigned to concerning the Civil War. Greely stated that a large town by Montana standards. Anaconda have Anaconda designated as Montana’s Union armies would “encircle Lee’s forces is rich in history, culture and personality, and state capital, losing out to William A. Clark, and crush them like a giant anaconda.” The is surrounded by beautiful natural areas like another copper king, who pushed to keep image of this awesome snake stayed with Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area Helena as the state capital.
    [Show full text]
  • Remediation Challenges and Opportunities at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, Oklahoma1
    ----- ----- REMEDIATION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TAR CREEK SUPERFUND SITE, OKLAHOMA1 by Robert W. Nairn, Brian C. Griffin, J.D. Strong and Earl L. Hatley2 Abstract: The Tar Creek Superfund Site is a portion of the abandoned lead and zinc mining area known as the Tri-State Mining District (OK, KS and MO) and includes over 100 square kilometers of disturbed land surface and contaminated water resources in extreme northeastern Oklahoma. Underground mining from the 1890s through the 1960s degraded over 1000 surface hectares, and left nearly 500 km of tunnels, 165 million tons of processed mine waste materials ( chat), 300 hectares of tailings impoundments and over 2600 open shafts and boreholes. Approximately 94 million cubic meters of contaminated water currently exist in underground voids. In 1979, metal-rich waters began to discharge into surface waters from natural springs, bore holes and mine shafts. Six communities are located within the boundaries of the Superfund site. Approximately 70% of the site is Native American owned. Subsidence and surface c~apse hazards are of significant concern. The Tar Creek site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983 and currently receives a Hazard Ranking System score of58.15, making Tar Creek the nation's number one NPL site. A 1993 Indian Health Service study demonstrated that 35% of children had blood lead levels above thresholds dangerous to human health. Recent remediation efforts have focused on excavation and replacement of contaminated residential areas. In January 2000, Governor Frank Keating's Tar Creek Task Force was created to take a "vital leadership role' in identifying solutions and resources available to address" the myriad environmental problems.
    [Show full text]
  • Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site in Butte, Montana
    Building on Mining History: Cleanup, Reuse and Community Resilience at the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site www.epa.gov/aml/revital in Butte, Montana Introduction Dubbed the “the richest hill on earth,” Butte, Montana, had over 450 mines by the early twentieth century. Underground mining in Butte began in the 1870s. The chance to work in the mines lured workers from across the United States and Europe. Butte’s mines were known internationally for the technological innovations used to extract the ore from deep below the earth’s surface and the high quality of its workforce. In the early 1900s, Butte’s population soared to over 100,000. After 1918, copper production began to decline, triggering a population decrease that continued for decades. While adjusting to tough economic times, Butte The SilverSilver Bow Bow Cree Creek/Buttek/Butte Area SuperfundArea Superfund site is located site inis westernlocated Montana in western. It is residents also grappled with the challenge of living in a historical Montana.part of a larger It regionalis part cleanup of a largereffort addressing regional much cleanup of the Clarkeffort Fork addressing River mining landscape contaminated with mine waste. muchwatershed. of the The Clark Silver BowFork Creek/Butte River watershed. Area site includesThe Silver a large Bow portion Creek/Butte of Butte and nearby Walkerville. Area site includes a large portion of Butte and nearby Walkerville. In 1983, EPA listed the original Silver Bow Creek site as a Superfund site on EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL). This This case study explores key partnerships and collaborative tools area stretched from the creek’s headwaters in Butte to the Warm that have led to successful remediation and reuse of large parts of Springs Ponds near Anaconda, about 26 miles away.
    [Show full text]
  • Arsenic Geochemistry in Warm Spring Ponds: New Field and Experimental Results Heather Boese Montana Tech of the University of Montana
    Montana Tech Library Digital Commons @ Montana Tech Graduate Theses & Non-Theses Student Scholarship Spring 2015 Arsenic Geochemistry in Warm Spring Ponds: New Field and Experimental Results Heather Boese Montana Tech of the University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/grad_rsch Part of the Other Environmental Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Boese, Heather, "Arsenic Geochemistry in Warm Spring Ponds: New Field and Experimental Results" (2015). Graduate Theses & Non- Theses. 13. http://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/grad_rsch/13 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at Digital Commons @ Montana Tech. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses & Non-Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Montana Tech. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ARSENIC GEOCHMISTRY IN WARM SPRING PONDS: NEW FIELD AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS by Heather E. Boese A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering Montana Tech 2015 ii Abstract Silver Bow Creek (SBC) flows into the Warm Springs Ponds Operable Unit (WSPOU), where various containment cells are used to precipitate copper and other metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn). Lime is added seasonally to increase the pH and assist in removal of metals from the water column. Although the WSPOU is effective at removing copper and other cationic trace metals, concentrations of dissolved arsenic exiting the facility are often above the site specific standard, 20 g/L, during low-flow periods each summer and fall. This thesis is a continuation of arsenic geochemistry studies by Montana Tech in the WSPOU.
    [Show full text]