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Fact Sheet

July 2015

EPA/USACE Phase 1 Construction Complete, Big River Mine Tailings Superfund Site, St. Francois County, Missouri

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently completed construction to trap lead-contaminated stream sediment in the Big River near the mouth of the Flat River in St. Francois County, Mo.

The purpose of the construction was to implement a “Newberry Riffle,” which is an in-stream structure the USACE designed to trap lead-contaminated stream sediment while allowing fish passage. This was Phase 1 of the project. EPA will remove sediment from the traps periodically. This project was done as a treatability study under the feasibility study for Operable Unit 2 (OU2). The data collected will be used to measure the sediment trapping ability of the structures and could be used as part of the final remedy for OU-2.

The structure is composed of short check dams that run across the stream bed. These dams not only slow water to drop out sediments but also create a structure that allows for fish passage. This is part of EPA's mission to remediate lead-contaminated sediment and test removal strategies for lead in the Big River.

Please note that this structure will change the stream and public use temporarily. In the long term, it will be boat/kayak-friendly, facilitate fish passage, allow for removal of lead, and will be attractive to aquatic life.

Currently, the change in the river is dramatic but this change is temporary. EPA and the USACE anticipate the river will begin to naturalize, filling in the spaces between the larger rocks and creating higher water volume through the middle of the structure to enable passage for boats. During times of low flow, which is typical in this stretch of the river, this structure as well as other natural locations on the Big River may not be passable by boat or kayak.

BACKGROUND

The Big River Mine Tailings Superfund Site is a part of the Old Lead Belt, where historical mining activities were conducted for the greater part of 70 years. During this period, mine waste containing elevated levels of lead and zinc were left behind, posing a threat to human health and the environment. A large amount of mine waste has eroded into the Big River and Flat River, causing elevated lead levels in the streams.

EPA is committed to reducing human health impacts by working toward a solution that will clean up the lead contaminant in the stream sediment and also reduce downstream migration of other heavy metals.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a Fish Consumption Advisory on six miles of the Flat River and the Big River in St. Francois County and Jefferson County. The advisory is a “Do Not Eat” advisory for sunfish, carp, and all species of suckers. For more information on the advisory, please visit: http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/fishadvisory/pdf/fishadvisory.pdf (PDF) (25 pp., 3.29MB, About PDF)

EPA and Missouri state agencies have been addressing lead-contaminated soils in St. Francois County for more than a decade, providing health education, soil assessments, and a variety of response actions.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Children are more sensitive to lead than adults and can develop lifelong learning disabilities and behavioral problems from lead exposure. Children can get lead from soil into their bodies by putting their hands or toys in their mouths after touching the soil. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also avoid exposure to lead to protect their children. Lead poisoning can cause negative health effects in infants and young children including, but not limited to:

Lead exposure and its effects can be reduced by the following actions:

Children 6 years old and younger are most likely to get lead poisoning. It is important that children in this age range be tested every year, because lead-poisoned children do not look or act sick. You can call your local health department or physician to get your child tested.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Administrative Record and site-related documents for the Big River Mine Tailings Superfund Site are available for review at the following locations:

St. Francois County Health Department
1025 West Main
Park Hills, Missouri

EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, Kansas

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:

Karim Dawani
Community Engagement Specialist
Enforcement Coordination Office
EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, Kansas 66219
913-551-7289
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: dawani.karim@epa.gov

Jason Gunter
Remedial Project Manager
Superfund Division
EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, Kansas 66219
913-551-7358
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: gunter.jason@epa.gov

Matt Cosby
Project Manager
USACE St. Louis District
1222 Spruce Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
314-331-8129
Email: matthew.g.cosby@usace.army.mil

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