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Public Notice: EPA Proposes to Add the Copper Bluff Mine in Hoopa, CA to the National Priorities List or “Superfund List”

How to Comment

Comments accepted through: 11/13/2018

A 60-day public comment period is currently underway to receive community input on EPA’s proposal to add the Copper Bluff Mine site to the National Priorities List (NPL). The documents that form the basis for EPA’s proposed listing of the site are available at the information repository listed below, and online at www.epa.gov/superfund/copper-bluff-mine

Documents related to the proposed listing to NPL can be viewed at:
Kim Yerton Memorial Library
370 Loop Road
Hoopa, CA 95546
(530) 625-5082

During the comment period, comments received will be placed in the EPA docket online and are available to the public. A complete set of submitted comments will be available for viewing approximately one week after the close of the comment period. EPA considers all comments received before making a final listing decision.

Public comments must be submitted online or postmarked no later than November 13, 2018. Please include the docket number "EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0580” when submitting comments.

Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
  • Submit comments online via www.regulations.gov (preferred)
  • Written comments must be postmarked no later than November 13, 2018 and include the docket number “EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0580.” Mail comments to:
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    EPA Docket Center
    Mail Code 28221T
    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20460

For more general information on the Federal comment process, please visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/public-comment-process or contact EPA Region 9’s NPL Coordinator: Sharon Bowen (bowen.sharon@epa.gov), (415) 947-4250.

Publish Date: 09/13/2018

Summary

The Copper Bluff Mine is located within the Hoopa Valley Tribal Reservation in Hoopa, CA. Metals from the mine could be hazardous to the tribal subsistence fishery in the Trinity River, which provides habitat for federally threatened Coho Salmon. Tunnels that were used to transport ore and other mining material now allow acid mine drainage to flow into the Trinity River. Acid mine drainage occurs when groundwater contacts minerals inside the mine and reacts to create sulfuric acid. This drainage can be toxic to people and aquatic life.

Docket Number: 

  • EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0580

Federal Register Citation: