EPA Highlights for the Week of August 10, 2015
Emergency Response to Release from Gold King Mine
On August 5, 2015, EPA was conducting an investigation of the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado, to assess the on-going water releases from the mine, treat mine water, and assess the feasibility of further mine cleanup. While excavating loose material that had collapsed into the cave entry, pressurized water began leaking above the mine tunnel, spilling about three million gallons of water stored behind the collapsed material into Cement Creek, a tributary of the Animas River.
Yesterday, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy visited Durango, CO to inspect response efforts relating to the mining waste water release and to meet with state, local and tribal officials. Today, Administrator McCarthy will visit the response efforts in Farmington, NM. More details about the visit will be released as they become available. Get the latest updates on EPA's response to the spill.
While in Durango, Administrator McCarthy attended a briefing at the Unified EPA Area Command where she discussed new data from August 7th, 8th, and 9th that is showing water quality levels in the Animas River near Durango similar to pre-event conditions. EPA is continuing to work with local community officials tasked with making decisions about public health.
Listen to audio of Administrator McCarthy’s remarks and press conference at the Unified EPA Area Command regarding the latest response efforts.