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EPA Holds Public Meeting for Wellington-Oro Mine

Release Date: 5/31/2002
Contact Information:
Victor Ketellapper 1 (800) 227-8917 ext. 6578

WHAT: Public Comment Meeting

WHEN: Thursday, June 13, 2002, 7-9p.m.

WHERE: Breckenridge City Council Chambers
150 Ski Hill Road

The public is encouraged to attend and provide comments on the alternatives for cleanup of ground water contaminated with zinc, cadmium and other heavy metals as a result of mining at the Wellington-Oro mine site near Breckenridge. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will host the meeting.

At the meeting, EPA will present the preferred alternative for cleaning up contaminated ground water along with other options it considered. EPA and CDPHE will choose a final cleanup plan after the public comment period and may select any of the options after taking into account public comments.

The preferred alternative for the Wellington-Oro mine calls for semi-passive water treatment with settling ponds. This process entails collecting mine seepage, adding a lime slurry and a compound that enhances settlement thereby removing zinc, cadmium and other heavy metals from the water. The goal of the cleanup is to restore brown trout to part of the Blue River downstream of French Creek.

A 30-day public comment period is from May 31, 2002 thru June 29, 2002. The Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis that describes the cleanup options in more detail and other supporting documents are located at the Summit County Library, 504 Airport Road, Breckenridge or at the EPA Records Center, Denver, Colorado at 1 (800) 277-8917 ext. 6473. Verbal comments may be delivered at the public meeting. Written comments may be sent to:

Victor Ketellapper
Remedial Project Manger, EPR-SR
EPA Region 8
999 18th St. Ste. 300
Denver, Colorado 80202
victor.ketellapper@epa.gov