Environmental Remediation Documents
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The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) process assesses site conditions, evaluates hazards to humans and the natural environment, determines the level of cleanup required and selects an appropriate cleanup alternative. This collection houses documents related to this process of environmental remediation of human activities.
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Item Open Access Ajax/Magnolia project(2002-12) Umatilla National Forest (Agency : U.S.); North Fork John Day Ranger District (Or.); EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc.; Millennium Science and Engineering, Inc.Contains several documents, including abbreviated preliminary assessments of each of the Ajax and Magnolia mines, a site inspection of the two mines, a public participation plan, and an engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA of the mines, as well as earlier material on clay mineralogy and a sample data summary package. After screening of the waste piles with the Niton XRF unit, the proximity to Lucas Gulch and EPA's APA checklist, both Ajax and Magnolia were recommended for Site Inspection (SI) in the Abbreviated Preliminary Assessments. The SI found high concentrations of metals in the adits and retention ponds of both mines, with rock piles and soil contaminated from AMD, with arsenic migrating downstream from the Magnolia site to the onsite stream station at Ajax Mine. After an EE/CA was recommended, a Public Participation Plan was created and a list of recipients drawn up. Finally, an EE/CA was performed for a proposed CERCLA removal action for the two inactive gold mines. Seventeen metals were found to be ecological threats, some of which threatened spawning and rearing and the migratory pathways of federally-listed bull trout and steelhead, and arsenic created a threat to child recreationists and adult workers. Proposed alternatives include excavation and onsite disposal and adit discharge treatment.Item Open Access Granite Creek Mines site inspection(2004-01) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.); EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc.Documents Site Inspection performed by EA Engineering at five Granite Creek Mines: Monumental, Cap Martin, Sheridan, Tillicum, and Central. The objectives were to access the immediate or potential threat posed by wastes at the site to human health and the environment, and to collect information to support a CERCLA decision, including background research and file review; onsite and offsite reconnaisance; and collection and analysis of soil, waste, surface water, pore water, sediment, plant tissue, and benthic macroinvertebrate samples. Based on the elevated concentrations of metals detected in onsite soil and waste rock samples at all five mine sites, as well as onsite surface water samples collected at the Monumental Mine, an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) is recommended.Item Open Access Granite Creek Tributary Mines initiation of CERCLA investigation memorandum(2007-02-20) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Documents, pursuant to the Guidelines of the National Oil and Hazardous Substance Contingency Plan (NCP), the decision to initiate a CERCLA investigation in nine locations at the Granite Creek Tributary Mines site. A Site Inspection has determined that a hazardous release has occurred, and a human health and ecological risk assessment has been performed and acceptable exposure has been exceeded. Identifies possible threats to nearby human populations, animals, the food chain, soils, and drinking water.Item Open Access Upper Central Mine abbreviated preliminary assessment(2006-08) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine site on moderately steep side slopes consisting of four collapsed adits and about 1500cy of wasterock. A Niton XLt unit found most metals detected at the site exceeded screening criteria for birds, invertebrates, and plants, but only arsenic (84.1 mg/kg) exceeded EPA Regional goals. Based upon the location of the adits, lack of evidence of water discharge from the mines, lack of surface water sources, and relative ease of access by the general public, the site has been ranked a Low Priority for further assessment.Item Open Access Tillicum abbreviated preliminary assessment(2003-02) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine site consisting of waste piles placed on moderate to steep side slopes. A Niton XRF unit found arsenic and lead exceeded EPA Region goals. Based on its proximity to Granite Creek, a Site Inspection is recommended.Item Open Access Granite Creek Mine #7 abbreviated preliminary assessment(2006-08) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine site consisting of a large collapsed adit and approximately 700cy of wasterock material adjacent to Granite Creek, with numerous trenches stemming from hydraulic mining and possible historic dredging operations. A Niton XLt unit found that most metals at the site exceeded screening criteria for birds, invertebrates, and plants, but only arsenic (79 mg/kg) exceeded EPA Region goals. The site has been given a High Priority.Item Open Access Granite Creek Mine #6 abbreviated preliminary assessment(2006-08) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine site consisting of a large collapsed adit and approximately 1000cy of wasterock material, which is adjacent to a small ephemeral tributary to Granite Creek. A Niton XLt unit found that most metals at the site exceeded screening criteria for birds, invertebrates, and plants, but only arsenic (7.16 mg/kg) exceeded EPA Region goals. Further site assessment was not warranted.Item Open Access Buffalo Mine abbreviated preliminary assessment(2008-08) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine site on moderately steep side slopes, consisting of two adits, associated wasterock and tailing ponds, one with water treatment facilities and miscellaneous buildings. A Niton XLt unit found that all metals at the site exceeded screening criteria for birds, invertebrates, and plants, but only arsenic (13.13 to 338 mg/kg) exceeded EPA Region goals. The site has been given a Low Priority for any future site assessments.Item Open Access Granite Creek Mine #5 abbreviated preliminary assessment(2006-08) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine site consisting of a large collapsed adit and approximately 500cy of wasterock material adjacent to Granite Creek, with numerous trenches and apparent hydraulic mining. A Niton XLt unit found that most metals at the site exceeded screening criteria for birds, invertebrates, and plants, but only arsenic (59.7 mg/kg) exceeded EPA Region goals. Since the wasterock forms a part of the embankment for Granite Creek, the site has been given a High Priority for further site assessment.Item Open Access New York Mine abbreviated preliminary assessment(2006-08) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine site consisting of numerous trenches on the mountain slope, at least five of which are collapsed to partially collapsed adits, 9000-12,000cy of wasterock and 4000cy of tailings. A Niton XLt unit found all metals detected at the site exceeded screening criteria for birds, invertebrates, and plants, but only arsenic (133.5 to 1459 mg/kg) exceeded EPA Region goals. Based on the high levels of arsenic throughout the site, the proximity of wasterock and tailings material to Granite Creek, the ease of access to the site, mine drainage, and numerous physical hazards, a High Priority has been assigned for further site assessment.Item Open Access Monumental abbreviated preliminary assessment(2003-02) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (Agency : U.S.)Assesses mine and mill site, consisting of waste and tailings piles on flat to moderate side slopes and mill on steep slopes, with an opening in the ground surrounded by an unstable area. A Niton XRF unit found arsenic, lead, and mercury exceeded EPA Region goals, and the upper tailings pond was found to be breached. A Site Inspection is recommended.Item Open Access Ruth Mine initiation of CERCLA investigation memorandum(2005-02-23) Willamette National Forest (Agency : U.S.); United States. Forest Service. Pacific Northwest RegionDocuments decision to initiate a CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act) process after an abbreviated preliminary assessment found release of hazardous elements within the Ruth Mine #1 in Opal Creek Scenic and Recreation Area. Process includes abbreviated preliminary assessment, site inspection, potentially responsible party search, engineering evaluation/cost analysis, removal action, and three years of monitoring.Item Open Access Ruth #1 Mine abbreviated preliminary assessment(2004-10) Willamette National Forest (Agency : U.S.)After performing a preliminary assessment using a Niton XRF unit on waste rock dumps at the Ruth Mine, 8 miles northeast of Elkhorn, a site inspection was recommended because of the concentration of various elements, the proximity of the waste rock dump to an unnamed tributary, and drainage which discharges into Battle Axe Creek. Elements include arsenic, lead, chromium, iron, manganese, and nickel.