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Atlantic Richfield – EPA Consent Decree lodged for Eureka Mills

Release Date: 11/16/2004
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      Denver -- A Consent Decree between the Atlantic Richfield Corporation (ARCO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning the Eureka Mills Superfund Site (Site) in Eureka, Utah, was lodged Friday, November 5, in Federal District Court in Denver.

The Consent Decree was negotiated between the United States and ARCO to resolve ARCO's alleged Superfund liability at the Site in exchange for payment of cleanup costs and performance of Superfund cleanup activities on portions of the Site. EPA estimates the value of ARCO's settlement to be approximately $7.4 million. The Consent Decree will be the subject of a 30-day public comment period beginning in several weeks, upon publication of notice of the Consent Decree in the Federal Register.

In May 2003, ARCO was identified by EPA as a Potentially Responsible Party at the Site. Historic mining activities have resulted in lead and arsenic contamination throughout the Site, which lies approximately 80 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.

EPA performed a Superfund Removal Action at the Site from July 2001 through 2002. The removal action cleaned up 71 of the most contaminated residential properties at the Site. EPA listed the Site on the National Priorities List (NPL or "Superfund") in September 2002. EPA is currently performing Remedial Action at the Site, which includes the capping of mine waste piles and cleaning up residential soils throughout the Site.