News Releases from Region 06

EPA Honors Restoration Work at Eagle Rock Lake in Questa, NM

DALLAS – (Sept. 22, 2017) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized several groups for excellence and innovation in site restoration in Questa, N.M. EPA presented the Greenovations Award to Chevron Environmental Management Company, the US Forest Service, New Mexico Department of  Game and Fish, the Village of Questa, and Chevron's project contractors Arcadis and ENTACT, for redeveloping Eagle Rock Lake at the Questa Mine Superfund site.

The groups were recognized for success in restoring the lake as an asset to the Questa community. Officials from EPA, the Village of Questa,  the New Mexico Environment Department, Sen. Tom Udall's office,  and the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department were on hand for a presentation ceremony on Friday, September 22, at Eagle Rock Lake. As part of the ongoing cleanup of the former molybdenum mine, the honorees partnered to restore the formerly contaminated lake, which now provides fishing and other recreation opportunities for the Questa community.

The Greenovations Award can be given to a responsible party, developer, site owner, nonprofit, local government or community member who has demonstrated excellence in working cooperatively with EPA to support safe and responsible cleanup and reuse, especially those that promote innovative and sustainable reuse outcomes.

The Chevron Questa Mine, previously known as the Molycorp Mine, operated intermittently from 1920 until 2014, when Chevron Mining Inc. permanently closed the mine. Open-pit mining took place from 1965 to 1983. Mining operations and waste disposal contaminated soil, sediment, groundwater, and surface water (including Eagle Rock Lake).

For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund-redevelopment-initiative/epa-region-6-greenovations-award

Learn more about EPA’s work in New Mexico: https://www.epa.gov/nm

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Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

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